From amateur to Aurora

In just two years, DSA President Sam went from being a curious newbie to a proud member of the Australian Dragon Boat Team, the Auroras. He decided to give dragon boating a shot, having been recruited at Rhodes parkrun, and it quickly turned into a passion. His journey has been wild — after two years of paddling, he trialled for both regional and NSW State teams, navigating fierce competition alongside seasoned athletes. As he gears up for the 15th Asian Dragon Boat Championships, Sam reflects on the intense training and exciting challenges ahead.

Tell us about the journey to become an Aurora.  

30 years ago was born a Sam. 30 years later, he took up Dragon Boating. Two years later he became an Aurora. All while still being 30(ish). Pretty much sums it up? 

Please, as I am the star of this literary show, then let me indulge myself. I’ve been paddling for around two years with my local club DSA. In the last year I trialled for, was selected, and paddled for both our regional team, as well as the NSW state team. After being reasonably capable at a club level of paddling then States was a wild ride where I learnt the big world had people who were, frankly, big. Much bigger than little Samuel. Also stronger, more experienced, better paddlers, stronger beard lines, the whole shebang. But I still did it, I paddled with them, and I was now a State level paddler. And having now completed said level I knew at some point I wanted to at least try for the Australian National Team (Auroras). 

My original goal had been to trial for the Germany campaign for 2025, however before that was the Asian Championships still in 2024. This was being run at short notice with not too much prep time, and I tried out, kind of hoping, but mostly just looking for the experience of what an Auroras selection camp was actually like, a practice run for Germany. 

Either way I submitted my EOI benchmarks (pull ups, sit ups, bench press, and rowing ERG). Already I had doubts here, my erg was solid but my bench was poor. To my surprise I was asked to attend the selection camp, I was one step towards the team. 

A few months later I merrily hop tailed my nervous self over to selection camp, two days of trials, tribulations, and tournaments. Different sit ups, different rowing erg, single dragon boat, high judgement weigh in, and a whole heap of dragon boats. We paddled constantly, in varying configurations and distances as the coaches pushed us to our limits on what we could possibly do and where our physical limitations were. It was a rough weekend and I left exhausted. I felt I had done well, but you just never know, no one is weak here, everyone is an amazing paddler at this level. 

A second dose of surprise now tickled my emotions as not long after camp I got my email. I had been accepted as an Aurora and would be going to Hong Kong. I was in and I was going to be a national athlete representing Australia. Delightful.  

Sam (front row, third from left) with DSA 2024 State representatives

What does your training regimen look like as you prepare for the championships?  

As part of our dictated regime then I need to clock in 20-25km per week on the water in a dragon boat (2-3 sessions). I also need to put in a weekly single craft session (OC1), one session of 10km for that. Then I need to do 3 gym sessions per week as per the directed exercises. And also one cardio session, either running or on the rowing ERG. So all in 8 sessions a week, which for the mathematically gifted will note is more than the number of days in the week, meaning double days would not be a choice but would be a necessity. 

I also am still trying to maintain commitment to my club as much as possible, and some of my social paddling I enjoy. What this means is I generally end up on the water 6 times a week (one DB session with Auroras, 3 times DB with my club, the singe craft session, and one OC6 session). I usually take the run option on cardio, and then the three gym sessions. It is also optimal to have at least 1 rest day to help the muscles heal and grow.  

It’s frankly a lot, and you do feel the pressure to fit it all in. If I need to go to the office an extra day then I lose that morning when I would have gone to the gym, and then need to fit in another day which might have been the rest day or I need to another double up day. The regimented exercise is a constant cloud just handing there. I like going to the gym, but I don’t like when I have to go to the gym. But the results are good, I am stronger than I have ever been, but I cannot deny I am 100% looking forward to going a little easier for some time post campaign. 

What do you think are the biggest challenges you will face at the championships?  

Probably mostly fashion related, it's important to maintain my presence as a style icon especially when overseas. 

To be honest I’m not sure, it's going to be an event on a whole other level. Competition is going to be so fierce. My team is so strong, I want to ensure I am paddling my best to not be a liability in the boat. Simply keeping it all together and making sure I stay focused and not be thrown off by all the excitement or nerves or who knows what else, maybe a Walrus in the water, it could be anything. Focus is key, and even with everything perfect, it's going to be rough but it's going to be fun. 

Are there any particular teams you are looking forward to racing against?  

All of them. This is all new so I'm very curious to see how other teams go, but I hear everyone is going to be really strong and looking forward to racing them all. 

What will be your focus after the Championships are over?  

After the Asian Championships then we have the World Cup two weeks later, so my focus will be pretty full on still. But post that, I want at least a week off, zero paddling, zero gym, sleep in, go out to do things other than paddle, try and remind my wife I exist, watch some TV in the evening instead of being in the boat or at the gym, I hear there’s been some series come out so I am at least 6 months behind, I therefore mostly intend to binge watch 6 months’ worth of new television in a week, #Goals. 

Once that’s done, as I emerge from my visual den, bleary eyes and starved of vitamin D, then it will be back in the boat, paddle times don’t end. The next goal is Germany, to see if I can get on the Auroras campaign for the 2025 campaign. The competition for that will once again be tough, and I need to prepare, but I know where my goal is. 

Two years ago when I was still 30(ish) I didn’t even know this sport existed, my strength was in running and my frame was lean to reflect that. Here we are, two years later and now 30(ish), I’m a solid seat in my club boat, I’ve won medals with the NSW team, and now I’m off to my first international competition to represent Australia. What next is to continue to build on that, and that could lead anywhere, ain’t life fun like that.