Jim O'Dell

“As a flatwater sprint paddler, I first saw dragon boats at our venue in 2002. I saw a connection as a tool for corporate training and absorbed as much as possible - the False Creek training manual was a great tool.

I paddled in a few races and then took control of the LCKC team in 2005 and never looked back.

My favorite memories:

1st: seeing people 'get it'. Taking a novice festival paddler over the course of 4 years to try out for and then compete on a National team, for example.

2nd: early on when my daughter was a drummer and I was steering; together, we were an undefeated duo!

3rd: my Juniors squad from 2018 ICF Worlds!"

[Jim O’Dell (Gainesville, GA, USA), juniors coach/paddler/drummer/steerer/ex-chairman of DragonBoat-USA/ACA, head coach/program director of Lanier Canoe-Kayak Club SuperDragons, head coach/equipment manager of Atlanta Dragon Boat Festival, event organizer at Gainesville-Hall Dragon Boat Challenge & Dragons at the Park.]

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