Paddle for Health
The Paddle for Health Program is OPD’s flagship program. It focuses on teamwork, safety, discipline, technique, and endurance in a friendly environment, which is all conducive to elevating and maintaining each paddler’s physical and mental health.
OPD’s paddling program caters to both recreational paddlers who just want to enjoy the health benefits of a challenging outdoor team activity, and to more seasoned paddlers with a competitive spirit. OPD has two Kahlua dragon boats and a team of coaches who understand and will learn about individual paddler preferences and needs.
Mixing and matching of paddlers may occur for training purposes or in cases where we don’t have enough paddlers or steers to launch two boats. A minimum of eight (8) paddlers, not counting the steersperson, must be on board for off-the-dock practices to be held.
Our coaches will determine the training program for the benefit of each paddler and for the team. Training sessions may consist of individual coaching, team timing techniques, paddling techniques, power and endurance, and race pieces.
Waiver Requirement for All Paddlers – Every paddler is required to complete and sign an annual waiver, either electronically or on paper, before boarding a dragon boat; no exception. Paper waivers – if used, are scanned for electronic storage and for reference in case of emergency. Electronic waivers will require your consent to conduct business electronically with OPD concurrently with your electronic signature for the waiver. Minors’ (paddlers under age 18) information will be collected upon express consent from the parent or guardian.
Additionally, paddlers who participate in races will be asked to sign specific waivers as required by the race organizers, either electronically or on paper.
Attire and Equipment – We recommend quick-dry top and bottom outfits with sandals or optional water shoes; sunscreen; sunglasses; Ziploc bags or waterproof key holder; and optional cap/hat, butt pad, and waterproof windbreaker. A towel and change of clothes are also recommended. Bathroom and shower facilities are available close to our practice site. It is also very important to keep yourself hydrated while on board; so, bring enough water based on your needs. OPD will provide all the other necessary equipment, i.e., adjustable paddles and personal flotation device.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Requirement for All Paddlers – Every paddler must wear a class III U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD at all times while on the boat; no exception. The PFD must be properly fastened to one’s torso with the straps tightened to provide a snug fit. PFDs are provided by OPD.
Safety Equipment on Board – Both boats are equipped with an emergency kit, including a flare, an air horn, and a radio set to VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), which connects to the U.S. Coast Guard Command Center. Please read our attached Water Safety Manual to familiarize yourself with standard safety procedures.
Races – OPD participates in several races throughout the year: local and national or international. Races are totally optional for paddlers who simply want to enjoy and benefit from OPD’s health programs.
Local races typically include those hosted by the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA) and by Oakland Renegades. CDBA races include: (1) the Regional Regatta in May at Lake Merced, (2) the Sprint Races in July at Alameda Point or other venue, and (3) the Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival (IDBF) held in September at Lake Merritt in Oakland (held on Treasure Island prior to 2016). Oakland Renegades also hosts several races locally. OPD has been participating in their Halloween Howl fun costume race festival at Lake Merritt in Oakland at the end of October.
Besides OPD’s annual participation in the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival in July, the team may decide to travel to other cities. In 2015, OPD selected New Orleans and participated in the Walgreens Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival.
Internationally, OPD has thus far participated in the 2014 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong; the 2014 Sun Life Stanley Dragon Boat Championships, also in Hong Kong; the 2016 Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival in the Philippines; the 2017 Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival in Canada; the 2018 11th IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Szeged, Hungary; and the 2019 New Taipei City Speaker Cup in Taiwan.
Please consult our Season Schedule for race dates.
Logistics
Practice Days and Time – OPD’s paddling season typically starts in mid February through the Thanksgiving weekend. Check out our Season Schedule for important dates.
- Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am, with time extensions a few weeks prior to race dates.
- Sundays from 9:00 to 11:00 am.
- Wednesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm – typically starts on the 2nd Wednesday after daylight saving time begins and stops on the last Wednesday before the September Lake Merritt race; subject to change and/or cancellation depending on weather conditions, paddler interest, and other factors.
Please arrive on time for land warm-up, safety reminders, and announcements. Prior to boarding, you will be required to list your name down on a manifest to indicate your presence on water. In case of emergency, the manifest will allow us to know the headcount to be communicated to the emergency responder.
Practice Updates – Check the “Updates & Events” section of our Home page for any practice updates, changes, or cancellations.
Practice Site Address – Gate Number 7, 95 Harbor Master Road, Oyster Point Marina, South San Francisco, CA 94080. The team meets right in front of the Harbor Master’s office at the end of Harbor Master Road.
Landmarks and Points of Reference – Across from the Oyster Point Yacht Club, 911 Marina Blvd., South San Francisco, and adjacent to the South City Ferry Terminal.
Parking – Ample parking is available in the area. The area is generally very safe but please practice good car security precautions by keeping all valuables out of sight with windows closed and doors locked. Bicycles should also be locked at available racks near the Ferry Terminal. If you park on Harbor Master Road, please leave at least three parking spaces next to the Harbor Master’s office for other tenants or visitors. In addition, if possible, back into the parking stalls, which will increase your visibility of small children when leaving the practice site.
Bus Service to and from Oyster Point Marina (OPM) – Effective September 11, 2022, we finally have a SamTrans bus service to and from OPM on Route 130 / 130B. You can catch the bus from BART stations in Daly City, Colma, and South City, and from Serramonte Center. Check out the links below to see the entire route and stops.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the first bus arrives at OPM – conveniently right in front of the ferry terminal, at 8:03 am. The last bus arrives at 8:36 pm. On weekdays, the first bus arrives at 6:47 am and the last bus at 11:18 pm.
Click here for the link to SamTrans’ webpage for Route 130 / 130B. Please let us know if scheduling changes so we can update our information. You can also download the entire September 11, 2022 Route 130 schedule and fare information.
Practice Area – Covers areas alongside Highway 101 towards Candlestick Point or towards San Francisco Airport’s boundary. Practice is conducted within the seawall for warm-up, for beginners, and on windy days. It can be particularly windy during evening hours in the summer season.
Paddler Fees – Please see our Join Us page for paddler fees information.