In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Beth, a 22-year-old veterinary student and elite dragon boat paddler based in Nottingham. Beth shares how a simple home workout routine during the COVID lockdown sparked a journey into endurance sport—from running the Robin Hood Half Marathon to discovering dragon boating at university.
Since then, Beth has gone from novice paddler to competing on the world stage, representing Great Britain at the 2023 Dragon Boat World Championships in Thailand.
Now a coach, helm, and passionate advocate for women in sport, she talks about training, teamwork, and the power of inclusive communities.
Beth’s story is one of grit, growth, and finding joy in pushing physical and mental limits.
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Show notes
- Who is Beth
- 22 year old Vet Student
- Final year of vet school, working on a placement year
- Working with small animals and horses
- Having a passion and love for animals
- Deciding to be a vet
- Studying; Biology, chemistry and maths at A’Level
- Hating sports at school
- Starting university in 2021
- Soaring Dragons, based in Loughborough
- Starting to train with the team
- What Dragon Boat racing is
- The set up of the boat
- Getting started in Dragon Boat Racing
- The impact of covid on the Dragon Boat Club
- Learning the skills needed
- Being put into the boat straight away
- Training as much as she can
- The challenges of training while being on work placements and rotations
- Why its a good sport for involving everyone
- The stroke pair - being in charge of setting the rate
- Getting qualified as a helm
- Getting into race helming
- Competing at Nationals
- Great Britain Premier Squad
- The different categories
- BNTS Sessions - taster sessions where anyone from any club can try out the trainers and see what improvements can be made to their paddling
- Being a new paddler in 2021
- Going away and doing her own training in 2022
- Wanting to take it more seriously and getting into the squad in 2023
- Committing to training weekend across the country
- Doing paddling and strength training
- Being part of the what’s app group and sharing training plans and sessions
- Team Dynamics of the crew
- Being very competitive with herself
- Wanting to be the best she could be
- Heading to the World Championships in Thailand in 2023
- Racing in the 2k event
- Race strategy and how the race unfolded
- Taking a peek at the other boat!
- Dealing with an injury and not being able to paddle
- Drumming for another team - Three River Serpents
- Racing plans for 2025
- Transporting the boat to different competitions
- Enjoying the 500m distance
- How to connect on social media
- Contact your local club and give it a go
- Racing as part of the women’s crew
- Commit to it - what you want
Social Media
Notts Anaconda - www.nottsanaconda.co.uk
Instagram - @nottsanaconda
THE BDA - the national governing body for Dragon Boat Racing throughout Great Britain. www.dragonboat.org.uk
Facebook - www.facebook.com/britishdragonboatracing
@gbpremierdragonboatteam