Our Male Member Spotlight for September is: 

Josh Keely!  

Name: Josh Keely
Age: (optional)  26
Hometown:  Curwensville, PA
Houston Heat Member since:  March-ish, 2008
How did you hear about Houston Heat?  My co-workers at NASA JSC were involved and convinced me to come out to the spring kick-off
What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc)  When I'm not working, I like to be on the water, though I don't get to as much as I'd like.  I love to scuba dive, and I'd like to get back into rowing sometime soon.  I'm always up for some good live music, or hanging out and sharing a cold beverage (see the picture above with a group of Houston Heat-ers...I'm the tall one).  Oh, I love to travel too!
When and how did you start dragon boating?  I think I took care of this earlier, but I started this spring when some of my coworkers invited me to the kickoff event, and I soon joined up and have been involved ever since.
What do you like best about dragon boating?  Any chance to be on the water is a good thing.  I also love to compete, and even though I haven't raced yet, I'm looking forward to facing off against some other teams in the fall.
Favorite dragon boat experience so far:  Since I haven't raced yet, I think it would have to be seeing Jeff make a dragonboat wheel chair accessible.  If that doesn't go to show people how much the team cares about it's members (and guests), I don't know what could.
The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat:  The people, by far.
Top tip you'd give new paddlers:  When you come out, don't just go home after practice.  Go hang out with your teammates for breakfast/lunch.  Get to know everyone outside the boat, as well as in it.  You won't regret it, and I think it goes a long way toward building up that connection that lets the boat move as one.  I'm too new to offer any technical advice, but if you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the things there are to work on, just concentrate on something different every few minutes, and gradually you will find yourself having less and less to think about.
Anything else you'd like to share?  Be careful...it can be addictive!

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