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About Dragon Boating
Dragon Boats
A 6/16 dragonboat is 13 metre long and weighs 1 ton. It takes many of us to lift them out from the water.
Now we practice in Gemini and BUK boats which are lighter.
Drummer
Drummers control the boat. The Grandragons use a drummer only during regattas. If the drummer says something, the team must be conditioned to respond as a unit. The only exception to this is that the Steersperson can take over the boat at any time for safety reasons.
The drummer keeps the crew motivated. The toughest job for the drummer is learning what excites and calms the crew, then using each when appropriate. In some cases a good drummer will know this for each paddler. It is essential that the drummer attend as many practices as possible to learn all they can about the team and each individual paddler. This helps significantly on race day.
Steersperson
The Steersperson is the person responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat. It is their job to ensure all safety equipment is on the boat and the boat is sea worthy.
At any time the Steersperson can take control of the boat for Safety reasons. This applies to both Drummer and Coach. The crew must be absolutely clear on this fact.
Stroke
The paddlers in the front row of the boat play a crucial role in leading the stroke rate and timing for the entire crew. The lead stroke must synchronize perfectly, maintaining constant communication about the boat's activity and surroundings. The drummer calls commands based on the entry of the lead strokes' paddles, ensuring the team stays in rhythm.
THE StRoke
Rotate
Reach + Catch
Reach + Catch
Turn the torso to maximize reach
Reach + Catch
Reach + Catch
Reach + Catch
Stretch out before blade is placed in catch position. Fully buried blade catches the water at the front of the stroke
Pull + Exit
Reach + Catch
Pull + Exit
Blade is pulled vertically through the water, Paddle leaves the water, quickly and cleanly
Recovery
Reach + Catch
Pull + Exit
Paddle snaps forward in position for next stroke
Paddling commands
Attention Please:
Race official’s warning that race start is imminent.
Back Half:
Normally, last 5 seats unless otherwise designated
Back It Down:
Paddle backwards.
Brace The Boat:
All paddlers place blades on surface of the water to stabilize the boat. Usually used when paddlers change positions in the boat.
Catepillar:
Uneven timing, not in time with the strokes.
Check the Boat:
Put on the brakes. ALL paddlers jam their paddles into the water at 90 degrees and holds it there until the boat stops.
Draw
Pull at a 90 degree angle in to the side of the boat.
Call will be "Right/left side draw" or "Right/left front/back draw"
Evens
Paddlers sitting in even numbered seats.
Finish It Now
Drummer calls for final all-out effort to end the race.
Front Half
Normally, first 5 seats unless otherwise designated
Hold the Boat
Same as ‘Check the boat’. We prefer ‘check the boat’ because ‘hold the boat’ sounds too much like ‘whole boat’.
Let 'Er Run
Music to the ears. Stop paddling and relax.
Odds
Paddlers sitting in odd numbered seats.
Paddle Easy
Paddle at 50% or less. Does not mean stop.
Paddles Up
Paddles in the water, blades fully buried, paddlers are ready to paddle.
Power 10
Ten powerful strokes, in perfect time.
Pry
Opposite to draw, a 90 degree push away from the side of the boat.
Take It Away
Begin paddling.
Time It Up
Ensure that everyone is paddling in time.
Whole Boat
Every one in the boat does whatever is called for.