Entering the Boat and Paddling Technique
Before entering the boat the sweep, in consultation with the coach, will allocate your paddling position. This is called ‘making the boat’ or ‘building the boat’.
The crew enters the boat from the front and moves through to the back. The sweep enters first, followed by those in row 10, 9 etc. On entering the boat move up the centre of the boat crouching down to minimize rocking. As the first person on your row, sit in the centre of the seat until your paddling buddy is beside you, then slide to your allotted side and put your paddle flat on the water. This helps to stabilize the boat until all paddlers are aboard. The last to enter the boat are the strokes (row 1) and the drummer/coach.
Sitting Position
Holding the Paddle
Arms & Sholuders
Rotation
The Catch
Rip/Stroke
Exit
Recovery
Timing
Good timing will always be an important goal. Timing is taken by watching the strokes at the front of the boat.
Commands in the Boat
Paddles up Paddlers move paddles to the start position.
Go Start paddling.
Stop the boat These commands mean the same thing – paddlers stop the
Dig it in boat by holding the blade vertically in the water.
Hold water Paddlers hold their blades still in the water to halt the boat’s motion and keep the
dragon boat stationary
Let it run Paddles come out of the water and let the dragon boat glide.
Paddles behind Paddles are placed in a backward position ready for
Paddles back paddling backwards.
Paddles flat Paddles resting with the blades flat on the water. This is to stabilize the boat.
Before entering the boat the sweep, in consultation with the coach, will allocate your paddling position. This is called ‘making the boat’ or ‘building the boat’.
The crew enters the boat from the front and moves through to the back. The sweep enters first, followed by those in row 10, 9 etc. On entering the boat move up the centre of the boat crouching down to minimize rocking. As the first person on your row, sit in the centre of the seat until your paddling buddy is beside you, then slide to your allotted side and put your paddle flat on the water. This helps to stabilize the boat until all paddlers are aboard. The last to enter the boat are the strokes (row 1) and the drummer/coach.
Sitting Position
- Sit straight forward – contour of the boat will force you to sit on an angle (no more than 10 degrees)
- Hip up against side of boat
- Outside leg out in front – if possible foot flat up against footrest
- Inside leg underneath you – knee pointing to the front of boat (not on an angle)
- Do not let knee rest on the side of the boat
Holding the Paddle
- Inside hand over the top of the handle
- Outside hand, 1 to 1 ½ hand grips up from the bottom of the shaft
Arms & Sholuders
- At the start of the stroke “are you ready” outside arm should be straight – lock elbow and wrist
- At the start of stroke inside hand should touch your cap or forehead and keep inside elbow up
- Keep shoulders straight and open chest
Rotation
- With paddle in position (as above) rotate from hips – keep head up and watch strokes
The Catch
- Drive blade into water at an angle of 45 degrees using the inside hand/arm to drive with power
Rip/Stroke
- Pull paddle with power (but do not begin to pull until the blade is in the water) rotate from waist and extend outside shoulder (keep open chest) use leg drive, make sure outside hand gets wet, outside arm stays straight, inside hand (top hand) keep over the gunwale, sit up at the end of the stroke
Exit
- Start to pull the blade out at your knee - by the time it gets to your hip it should be out of the water. DO NOT GO PAST YOUR HIP
Recovery
- Return to the start of the stroke and do it all over again
Timing
Good timing will always be an important goal. Timing is taken by watching the strokes at the front of the boat.
Commands in the Boat
Paddles up Paddlers move paddles to the start position.
Go Start paddling.
Stop the boat These commands mean the same thing – paddlers stop the
Dig it in boat by holding the blade vertically in the water.
Hold water Paddlers hold their blades still in the water to halt the boat’s motion and keep the
dragon boat stationary
Let it run Paddles come out of the water and let the dragon boat glide.
Paddles behind Paddles are placed in a backward position ready for
Paddles back paddling backwards.
Paddles flat Paddles resting with the blades flat on the water. This is to stabilize the boat.
