Over the four weeks of UBC’s Summer School Kinesiology programme, dragon boating and kayaking became my most vivid windows into understanding “movement” and “collaboration.” Free from complex lab work, this course let me step beyond textbooks and grasp the lively, human meaning behind exercise science—not just the rhythm of the body, but the connections and shared growth between people.
What stayed with me most about dragon boating wasn’t the moment we crossed the finish line, but the journey from “disorder” to “unity.” At first, our team of ten pulled at different paces: the boat swayed left and right, progress was slow, and small frictions even arose from mismatched rhythms. But as we kept practising, we learned a key lesson: dragon boating isn’t about competing with one another, but about trusting and working with each other. We’d huddle before training to talk about pacing, use eye contact and calls to remind each other mid-row, and if someone slipped up, others would quickly cover their spot and offer encouragement. This kind of collaboration—pouring our all into a common goal—showed me that a group’s strength is far greater than the sum of its parts. It also taught me how to listen, be patient, and support others in a team.
Kayaking, though more focused on individual control, showed me another side of interacting with others. Even though kayaking is mostly a solo sport, we always trained in groups: those who picked up skills faster would stop to share tips on balancing; if someone felt tired, everyone would slow down to adjust together. One memory stands out: I grew frustrated after veering off course repeatedly because of poor balance. Instead of rushing ahead, a classmate stayed with me, saying gently, “Relax your core and go with the current’s rhythm,” and even practised extra laps with me. This atmosphere—caring not just about our own progress but also helping others—made me realise that even individual sports don’t exist in isolation. The warmth of this mutual support made the sport itself feel more meaningful.
Looking back on these four weeks, my takeaways go far beyond basic kinesiology knowledge. Dragon boating and kayaking taught me the true nature of collaboration: it’s not just simple coordination, but mutual support for a shared goal. They also taught me to notice others and offer help, even as I focus on my own growth. These lessons, learned through movement, have transcended the classroom—they’re now a valuable guide for future teamwork and relationships.
Last modified: 29 October 2025