It would take at least 15 years before other local dragonboat groups outside of the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation (PCKDF) can catch up with the national paddlers.
This was the assessment of head coach Len Escollante as she boasted the productive grassroots development program of the PCKDF, the country’s legitimate body for dragonboat racing.
“The average age of our paddlers is 22 years old and the only way other dragonboat groups can beat us 15 years hence is to start developing their grassroots now,” said Escollante.
According to Escollante, forming a team composed of military paddlers won’t yield better results either since they have the harmful tendency to prolong their stint in the national team even if they are no longer competitive.
“Paddlers from the military try to prolong their stay in the national team because of dual compensation,” said Escollante. “They get allowances from the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) and receive salaries from the military at the same time.”
Escollante added that her athletes also train and compete in canoeing and kayaking, where paddling forms are similar to dragonboat.