Welcome to Oxford Paddlers for Life!

We are delighted you are interested in paddling with us. This page will give you information about how to paddle, where we paddle, what to wear, and what to expect if you come and paddle with us.

Paddling a dragon boat is all about fun and exercising as a team, you can work as hard or as little as you want during the session, so do your best within your limits. Nobody is going to say anything if you find yourself needing a rest or unable to do things, we all have off days and different limits that can catch us by surprise at times. When we talk about putting in 25%, 50%, or 100% effort, we mean what you are able to put in today, and that will look different for everyone in the boat. Please do talk to us if you have any specific concerns or want to know more about the practicalities of paddling.

Our page Introduction to Dragon Boating has a link to a video showing what the paddle stroke looks like, and how it is broken down into component parts.

Communication: we have a WhatsApp group for general paddling chit chat, as well as a group specifically to inform people about paddling dates and session planning. if you would like to be in either group please email info@oxfordpfl.org along with your mobile number. This is our main means of communicating with each other and providing updates. It’s extremely handy if you are stuck in traffic/ running late etc. and also very sociable.

We are moored at Dorchester Sailing Club and usually paddle on Saturdays (9.30am at the boat for 10.00am on the water), and Tuesday evenings from about May – September (6.00pm at the boat for 6.30pm on the water). If you plan to attend, please make sure you sign up with the WhatsApp group or e-mail us.

Part of the teamwork is getting the boat ready and into the water, and then out of the water and putting it away again. Many hands make light work and it is much easier if we all muck in together. Being proactive in looking after and giving back to others is good for you physically and psychologically!  There is a list of jobs to do on the day.

After our paddle sessions we usually have tea/coffee/cake, and a catch-up in the clubhouse.

Safety first: 

We want to safely enjoy paddling together on the water, and with this in mind:

  • Very important: please ensure you have filled out your indemnity form so we have emergency contact details. 
  • Everyone needs to complete the health and indemnity form annually and inform club officials of any significant changes, your information is confidential and is only used if you have a health problem during a paddling session for either first aid purposes or to inform the emergency services.
  • We will assess the wind strength before going out, the helm has the final decision and can cancel or cut short a session at any point.
  • We will never go out without buoyancy aids, ensure yours fits, we will show you how to check. 
  • If you can’t swim please tell the helm.
  • We have decided that there needs to be a minimum of 8 paddlers for each session to be able to safely manoeuvre the boat. Our large boat can take a maximum of 20 people (plus a helm and a drummer).
  • Please be mindful of washing your hands after paddling – lake water is not clean, there are toilets at Sailing Club House.
  • Our safeguarding policy is here for any safeguarding issues please email safeguardingopfl@gmail.com

Directions

By car:

Dorchester Sailing Club is accessible by car (Abingdon Rd, Dorchester, OX10 7LP), and there is ample parking on site. There are two entrances very close to each other. The first is the Orchid Lakes, the second is Dorchester Sailing Club. what3words cosmetic.century.indulges will take you into the Sailing Club car park. Park on the tarmac, past the clubhouse, before you get to the boat yard.

By bus:

The nearest bus stop is in the A4074 layby outside Berinsfield. The X40 stops here, then it is ~15 min walk to the club.

Clothing and equipment:

  • Wear lots of stretchy, comfortable layers to paddle in, we will stop to remove layers if we need to and you can tie them to your seat. Waterproof bottoms are useful in the winter, as is a hat or something to keep your ears warm. A waterproof jacket is also useful. Old trainers are good in winter, in summer you can wear flipflops, crocs, sliders etc. Some people like to wear cycling gloves/waterproof gloves.
  • Bear in mind that anything you wear in the boat might get wet. We recommend bringing spare clothes/shoes just in case.
  • Never wear jeans, puffa jackets, or wellies please, they can become waterlogged and difficult to move in when wet. 
  • There will be a small drybag to put car keys in, in the boat. 
  • You can bring a water bottle, with a covered lid, they are kept by your feet and it can be wet and muddy there. 

Beyond Paddling

Oxford Paddlers for Life is a charity and team, and as such there is always all kinds of work going on in the background; for it to thrive we need help with this and if you can do anything (big or small, e.g. admin, practical, social events organising, grant forms) in any way we would be very grateful – and you get to be an important part of a local team and community, as well as part of the national UK Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Team community, and internationally the International Breast Cancer Paddler’s Commission. It’s an amazing community wherever you travel you can ask to paddle with nearby teams, and you will make friends with people all around the world!