Full Speed Ahead

Last year I jumped at the chance to make it on North Lake College's Dragon Boat team. We faired below average to say the least. We got beat by everyone including a school of eighth grade Kung Fu kids.

Hosted by the Marco Polo World Foundation to showcase Asian culture and promote the sport of dragon boating in the DFW region, the boat races beckoned me to compete again.

It all started back in April. I met up with a fellow dragon boat racer and we discussed our triumphant return to the water. Needless to say, I was ready to go back. So when school ended and we headed to Lake Carolyn, I was there.

Practice was huge for us this time. We took a beating last year. All went well, other than the tsunami that just so happened to roll in that morning. The team did great and our paddles were in perfect sync.

When race day came, I could only hope it was not a repeat of last year. That's when I dealt with a parking lot officer who thought Armageddon would come if I parked in a certain spot, I got so sunburned that people started to tell me red was a good color for me, and we lost to everyone. How much worse could it get?

Sunday morning started great, I woke up at 8 a.m. - just what every college kid wants to do right after the semester ends. As I drove to the location of the previous year's race, something occurred to me. There was no one there.

After driving around, getting redirected by police officers and finally parking in an apartment complex, I found my way to the team tent.

The boat racing started late but that was fine. It only built up the anticipation. We did a lot of dryland training and set out for the water. This time the races were four boats, but were still done in time trials. We didn't paddle in sync and finished in last place again.

As I headed back to the tent, an idea crossed my mind. Maybe I was the bad luck. My uncrafted rowing might be costing my team a chance at the championship. So I sat out the second round and got some tanning in. The team lost again and I got sunburned - 2008 here we come.

While we were sinking, the Irving Fire Department was setting new records. They beat their own Dragon Boat record by closing in on a 1:07.

The final race was big. We were on a five-race losing streak, and this was the only way to really get some school pride.

The horns blew and we busted out of the gate like a bull, and we were in the mix of the race up until the final ten seconds. And then it happened: we got beat. Again. Not only did we lose, we scored one of our worst times.

In two years, North Lake has gone 0-6 in the race and become the Detroit Lions of Dragon Boat racing. But who knows? Maybe next year we can take up curling.