Hello. I'm Kyle from Kansas City Missouri, USA.

Hi everyone!

I started paddling with a new Dragon Boat co-ed team here in Kansas City, the “SLAP Dragons KC,” in May 2023. It began with a casual invitation with a coworker at the time, who invited me to one paddle after work. Coincidentally they were only a few weeks away from a small race. So I decided to give it a shot and practice for the race, and of course I fell in love with the sport!

I discovered how much I enjoy the competitive nature of paddling and found it incredibly motivating to share that drive with my teammates. The team also inspired me to adopt healthier habits. I started incorporating cardio and weightlifting into my routine, something I’d never done before, and eventually invested in a Concept 2 with the KAHA attachment. Paddling has truly transformed my life, improving not only my physical fitness but also my overall quality of life. I do have my challenges though. My biggest challenge, like many of us, has been managing my time more effectively to balance training, fitness, family, and work.

As I head into my third year of paddling, my goal is to be in the best shape possible, both for myself and my team. I joined this community to stay focused, motivated, and to learn from you all. I’m excited to continue growing, pushing my limits, and making 2025 a fantastic year!

*The photo is from today, our first paddle of 2025! (I’m in the red, and that’s my good friend and DB teammate Gary in the blue.) The hats are part of an inside joke with a group of local paddlers who brave the cold in the winter and call themselves “Team Viking.” 🥶

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