Helen Broadbent
Vice Captain

How long have you been dragon boating?

2 years

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How long have you been a member of Bradford Barracudas?

​2 years - Bradford Barracudas is where I started my dragon boating journey 

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How did you get into dragon boating?

In Feb 2024 I saw a Facebook post about an open day with the Barracudas. I’d never even heard of dragon boating before then. It didn’t look 'my thing' at all.

 

But! I’d recently promised myself that I’d start saying “yes” to new opportunities that might enrich my life, even if they were outside my comfort zone… which is how I came to join a sport that requires getting up early on Saturdays. 

My first-ever sports club! 

 

And here I still am, completely hooked and utterly enriched.

 

​What is your favourite seat in the boat?

Front bench on the right (stroke)

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What is your personal paddling highlight?

My personal highlight has to be winning 'Most Improved Paddler' at the 2025 AGM.

On the water, my highlight is every time something 'clicks'... when a technique that had previously been a challenge becomes part of my standard stroke. Now to make all those 'clicks' happen when I paddle left.

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What are your ambitions for the club this year?

Growth: I hope to see our crew size continue to grow after the huge growth we saw in 2025. And as the existing crew grows in experience, technique and confidence, I hope the number of racing events and categories we compete in grows too.

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What do you love about paddling?

Oh so many things. Feeling part of a team and having a real sense of belonging. Getting to know new people from all walks of life and that feeling that we are all 'as one' in the boat. The laughter, the banter, the support. The sense of achievement. Being able to switch off from life’s stresses and worries for a few hours. And always having something to look forward to.

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What one piece of advice would you give to new paddlers?

Don’t beat yourself up when you can’t apply all the techniques at once, nobody could at first and even the most experienced crew members are still developing. Just keep turning up and follow the drills, listen, watch, and ask. Trust that the muscle memory will come, because it will. 

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What BDA qualification do you have or working towards?

No qualifications so far, but will commence Basic Helm training very soon. ​​​​