Considering the date on the calendar, it couldn’t have been a better day to be out on the water.

There was filtered sunshine, views of snowcapped mountains, nearby bald eagles and little wind resistance to stop a group of paddlers in a long, narrow boat from gliding across the bay in Oak Harbor.

Taking advantage of such ideal conditions, the paddlers shifted to a power stroke and got so carried away that they left more than just a wake and a few ripples behind them.

Genie Boyer’s stocking cap was no longer by her side.

“Who’s going to get it?” one paddler shouted.

Dragon boating often comes with its share of thrills, chills and misadventures.

For the two teams that make up Whidbey Island’s North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club, participation means a boat load of vigorous workouts, camaraderie, encouragement and often a sense of returning home feeling refreshed.

The club has been around since 2006 and split into two teams two years ago, creating Team Tsunami and Team Stayin’ Alive.

Each is competitive in its own right; however, Team Tsunami, which was on the water on a gorgeous Sunday, is known to be a little more hardcore.

Evidence of that was on display in mid-November when not even a layer of ice near the Oak Harbor Marina could keep a portion of the team off the water.

The boat wound up getting stuck near the marina with the bow propped on top of the ice, according to Bill Walker, the coach of the team who didn’t participate on that frozen day.

“I heard the stories,” Walker said with a laugh.

Steeped in Chinese culture, dragon boating has become an international team paddling sport with competitive racing held all over the world.

(Below: Julie Engstrom, left, is the caller for the team while Doug Mason, right, is the till, or steersperson.)

More locally, races are held at events and festivals throughout Washington, and Vancouver, British, Columbia, is home each June to one of the oldest and largest dragon boat festivals outside of Asia.

Both teams in the Oak Harbor-based North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club participate in regional races; however, the groups are made up of members of all ages who take part largely for fitness and a supportive team atmosphere.

With 22 people in a boat typically required to race, both teams are recruiting new members.

“Most dragon boat festivals have races for all levels of ability as well as races for purely recreational teams,” said Roberta Piercy, who shares coaching responsibilities of Team Tsunami with Walker and also participates on a Seattle team. “It is the spirit of competition that counts.”

Club membership ranges in age from 18 to 74 with most members over the age of 50. Some participants are cancer survivors.

“It doesn’t matter how great of an athlete each individual is,” Walker said. “It’s more about each person’s individual dedication to a team.”

Dragon boat racing is a sport of synchronization, involving a caller at the front of the boat shouting out commands and a till at the rear, controlling the boat’s direction.

During races, the caller often will be playing a drum while barking out commands.

Both teams on Whidbey share the boat, which is docked at the Oak Harbor Marina. Practices are held on alternating days with indoor pool sessions held during the winter.

Cathie Harrison and Mare Chapman paddled from the front of the boat Sunday, setting the pace for the rest.

“Reach it out!” Harrison shouted repeatedly.

Eventually, Boyer reached down to grab her cap and Team Tsunami was soon back it again, powering on.

How to join

The Whidbey Island-based North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club, a nonprofit organization, features two teams of various skill levels and emphasis that are recruiting new members. Practices are based out of the Oak Harbor Marina during the season with pool practice available during the winter. Team Tsunami is a competitive team that focuses on rigorous workouts and improving form and technique for competitive racing. Team Stayin’ Alive is a team focused on fun, friends and fitness that has competed in Masters Division (over age 55), Mixed Division and Cancer Survivor races. Guests may paddle up to three times without incurring any costs. Members pay $75 annual dues. www.npsdragonboat.org