TEAM USA Women's National Teams
2025 Senior A (40+) and B (50+) and C (60+ short boat)
Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany -- July 14-20, 2025
MEETING NOTES: 5/15/25
CONGRATS TO ALL INVITED TO RACE AGAINST THE WORLD IN GERMANY FOR SENIOR WOMEN!!!
We completed the IDBF submission for supporter credentials for anyone requesting one through our "IDBF Info Collection Google form. Additional requests need to be made to me via email or text before 11PM.
TIME TRIALS
Your 500m time trial results have earned you a spot on Team USA. We have about 1-2 alternates per crew. Some have been told their 500m times place them on the "bubble" and need these additional TTs to secure a spot in the boat. These senior crews will not race Alternates...unless needed.
To qualify for the 200m, 1k or 2k races, you'll now need to complete and submit your self-proctored time trials results for the 150m and 750m distances.
Reporting and operating procedure for these self proctored test instructions link at the end of this SUMMARY.
Test conditions = fresh water, 1 run in direction, max of 20 minutes, then 2nd run in other direction with NK Speed Coach.
150m results due by May 26
750m results due by June 16
You can do each distance and each side on different days. Eg 150m left on day 1, 150m right on day 2, 750m left on day 3, 750m right on day 4.
Submit one result per side per distance
Regardless if you TT the 500m on left and/or right, coaches suggest you test yourself on both sides for the 150 and 750.
Send WADA certificates to Lavina Chan upon completion (lavina.chan.db@gmail.com)
WADA certification is good for 2 years. If you have a certificate for Ravena, find it and send to Lavina.
Whats App
Everyone should be on the Announcements "Team USA Senior Women 2025" Whats App.
A chat group for our Senior Women will be created by Friday. Use it to look for roomies
TRAVEL INFO
General travel tips offered on the team website
Include your team usa racing top in your Carry-Ons.
Strongly suggesting you pack several paddles in a SPORT-TUBE. These are indestructible and no oversized fee. You can find good used pricing on EBAY. Otherwise, I can get you a new one.
Bring enough "comfort race day foods, munchies, powder for drinks" to sustain you. Do no count on being able to find these in Germany. This includes the importance of proper nutrition and electrolyte intake during races
Bring ATM card - as you can find plenty of Bank ATMS at airport to secure EUROs.
There should be food vendors at race site during races.
Hotel has a restaurant
Be mindful of increasing cases of measles (the most contagious disease known) in Europe. Wear a mask on the plane. Keep current on your vaccinations.
TEAM SELECTED INFO: HERE (includes booking hotel info)
BERLIN TRAVEL INFO: HERE - Great info on how to take public trans from airport to Berlin city center. about 4.40 Euros by bus/train each way. 30-45 minutes.
LOGISTICS
Shuttle bus to race site is about 50miles or 1 hour from hotel, estimated at $300
Shuttle bus schedule will be based and assigned by team...that info will be available after schedule is made public.
All athletes expected to check at the hotel by Friday AM.
Post meeting update: we secured a Friday 6-9PM practice, July 11 for all our senior women's teams
MISC
Atlanta May scrimmage cancelled
We'll have a Sunday practice in Philly if there's enough paddlers attending the Philly races
Draft rosters should be available by end of June, with final rosters published a day before races
Boat captains identified when rosters are developed
Suggesting everyone should either secure an international internet plan or an E-Sim card for communication
REST
IT IS IMPORTANT to give yourself enough real rest and recovery time.
Have your fun travel AFTER the races. Running around Berlin is not the best way to rest between race days.
About 2 weeks before the races we will start the alcohol ban. It effects performance and recovery.
Use of any object other than a seat cushion is not allowed in a dragon boat
foot blocks, anything used as a foot block, dragon saddle may have 1 insert not 2.
Ear buds are NOT allowed.
Hats allowed, no rules on being uniform with other members
podium shirt not required
Stoke technique not a concern...so long as everyone gravitates to what they used in the time trial...which is the D-around or like OC stroke.
Workouts for TT
Workouts like pyramids, high heart rate training, and practicing starts. Find the right rate and extending lactate threshold. Get in water time until you stop overthinking and it becomes habit. Be prepared to push thru discomfort...so you are aware on how to handle it. There's a difference between driving yourself to injury and driving yourself thru the "wall".
POST MEETING NOTES
REVISION to previous instructions on IDBF Anti-Doping Declaration 5/15/25 UPDATE from Lavina (lavina.chan.db@gmail.com):
"IDBF is currently updating the anti-doping declarations and adjusting the declarations possibly for different countries and/or categories of paddlers. They are releasing the adjusted declaration forms in waves and will also provide the required IDBF PIN that paddlers need to insert into the form when electronically signing it.
The form for US paddlers has not been released yet for use to compete at this year's Worlds in Germany. So, US paddlers need to hold off from signing the existing anti-doping declaration form that is currently posted on the IDBF website.
SO SIT AND WAIT"
TIME TRIAL INSTRUCTIONS HERE
Share the link to our fundraiser Practice shirts with your clubmates and others. We have about 100 left in inventory. Proceeds distributed among our Senior A,B,C10 Women athletes. LINK IS HERE: https://forms.gle/MZ1S4DTNjeY1xfVTA. Everyone should plan to wear these for our practices in Germany! 8-)
GOOD LUCK FOLKS!!!