18/06/2026

LYFE THURSDAY | JUNE 18, 2026

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Ű BY ASHIQIN AHMAD

D RAGON boating is often perceived as an intimidating sport reserved for elite athletes and tightly organised competitive teams. Images of synchronised paddlers powering across the water at high speed can make the discipline seem inaccessible to anyone without prior experience. For Rogue Malaya, however, that perception is exactly what they have been trying to change. Founded in 2019, the Malaysian dragon boat team was built around a simple idea – making dragon boating easier for ordinary people to try. What started as a conversation among seven paddlers from different teams has since evolved into a growing community that welcomes complete beginners, social paddlers and aspiring competitors alike. Team coach Primo Peris said the founders noticed many people were curious about dragon boating but often found themselves locked out by rigid seasonal programmes or competitive structures. “We wanted to create a public, social dragon boat team where people could simply come and try the sport without feeling intimidated by traditional barriers to entry because we found there was a gap in the market,” he told theSun . At the time, opportunities for newcomers were relatively limited. Many teams only recruited at certain periods of the year, while others focused primarily on competitive development. For people who simply wanted to experience the sport before making a commitment, there were few pathways available. Rogue Malaya sought to bridge that gap by adopting a more flexible approach. From shore to boat One of the team’s most popular initiatives is its Dragon Boat 101 programme, which is specifically designed for first-timers. Rather than spending hours learning theory or watching demonstrations from the sidelines, participants are encouraged to get into the boat and experience paddling for themselves. “When you join for the first time,

Primo (back row, second from left) with team members after a training session at Ampang Hilir Park. – ASHIQIN AHMAD/THESUN

Rowing for glory

“As much as people think paddling is mostly about your arms, they probably contribute only five to 10% of the movement because dragon boating is actually a full-body workout,” he said. Each stroke requires coordinated engagement of the legs, core and upper body while maintaining rhythm with up to 20 other paddlers. Timing and technique are just as important as strength, particularly when racing. The physical intensity can catch first-time participants off guard. “After a particularly tough training session, you’ll often see people wobbling when they step out of the boat because they’re using muscles they didn’t even realise they had,” he said. Yet that challenge is also part of the appeal. Unlike many solo fitness activities, dragon boating combines physical exertion with teamwork, requiring every paddler to work together towards a common goal. Making expensive sport affordable One of the biggest obstacles facing many niche sports is cost. Dragon boating requires specialised boats, equipment, safety measures and access to suitable waterways. On paper, it can appear prohibitively expensive. Rogue Malaya has attempted to minimise those barriers wherever possible. The team currently trains at Ampang Hilir and Putrajaya, and spreads rental costs among participants to keep sessions affordable. “If a boat costs around RM200 an hour to rent, we divide the cost among everyone attending and that allows us to keep training accessible while still maintaining quality sessions,” he said.

o Inside Rogue Malaya’s push to open up thrilling world of dragon boating to all

has attracted participants from all walks of life. Some arrive looking for a new fitness challenge, while others are drawn by curiosity after encountering videos of the sport online. There are also those who discover the team by chance while walking around the lakes where training takes place. Not everyone becomes a long term paddler, but Rogue Malaya views exposure to the sport as a success in itself. “A lot of people come because they saw something interesting on Instagram, but we’re happy as long as they get the chance to experience what dragon boating is all about,” he said. The team’s openness has helped build a reputation as one of the more approachable entry points into the local dragon boating scene, particularly for younger Malaysians looking for alternatives to conventional gym routines. Workout that surprises newcomers While Rogue Malaya makes the sport look welcoming, the physical demands of dragon boating remain significant. Training takes place every weekend, with paddlers spending Saturdays and Sundays on the water. Additional strength and conditioning sessions are held on Mondays to improve endurance and technique. The coach said many newcomers arrive with misconceptions about the sport, often assuming it relies primarily on upper-body strength.

The hands-on approach reflects the team’s belief that the best way to understand dragon boating is to experience it firsthand. Over the years, the programme

we expect that by the end of the session, you will already be paddling so people can immediately decide whether this is something they want to pursue further,” the coach said.

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Rogue Malaya powers through the final stretch during the Kuala Lumpur Open Dragon Boat Race 2026 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, when teamwork matters as much as strength. – HANDOUT PIC