Dragon Boat 101

1. Dragon Boat 101 The theory and practical visual of the sport of Dragon Boat.

2. Objectives To engage first year RyeDBoat paddlers on the expectations of Dragon Boat during the summer months Gain knowledge on how Dragon Boat is run when paddling in a body of water Gain knowledge and know the expectations during regattas (race days)

3. Table of Contents Sectional breakdown... (what does each section do, roles of each paddler) Putting it together... (understanding strokes, body position, etc in relation to a race)  Commands Break down of a Race... (200, 500, 2k - how does it start? How does it end?) What to expect on Race Day Q&A

4. Preview of Paddling On Water http://youtu.be/az7Pnyv5ABg

5. Sectional Breakdown BOAT SET-UP Front Three/Pacers Engine Room Back Three/Rocket

6. Front Three/ Pacers The front three rows set the pace and should be reserved for paddlers with good long paddling strokes. The rest of the boat needs something visual to follow. The rest of the boat will have short choppy stroke if the front has short choppy strokes.

7. Engine Room The middle seats of paddlers from row 4 to 7. Throughout the race the engine room puts in more powerful and deeper strokes to help propel the boat further.

8. Back Three/ Rocket The paddlers at the back of the boat in seats 8-10. Also known as "turbo" or "back six”. Being a rocket is just as important as the other roles. The water at the back is faster which means paddlers would require more dynamic strokes.

9. Putting It All Together The next few slides will explain how to apply the stroke with the command asked by your steersperson/drummer What we learned since October (the stroke, technical and workout pieces, etc), you will be able to apply it to the water All commands learned today will be applied during practice and races

10. Commands & Procedures Safety Commands • Hold the Boat – To STOP the boat right away • Action: The paddler stops paddling and sinks the paddle directly in the water perpendicular to the boat. In essence, the paddle is bury straight down into the water to stop forward/backward momentum. • Note: Do not “drag” the blade across the water as it is not an effective way to stop the boat.

11. Commands & Procedures Safety Commands • Feather the Boat – To help stabilize the boat right during choppy and uneven waters when the boat is stationary. This command can also be use when the water is clam in the event where a person is require move seats or walk across the boat. • Action: The paddler will take the flat of the blade and gently break the surface of the water as if they are “buttering bread”. • Note: Gentle is the key, do not create unnecessary waves in this motions which defeats the purpose of stabilizing the boat in the first place.

12. Commands & Procedures Safety Commands • Walk the Boat – To help bring the boat towards the dock in a control manner. • Action: While seated, the paddlers of a specific side will grab the dock and use their hands to guide or “walk” the boat to a designated dock area to be tied up. • Note: Paddlers must pay attention to this procedure as moving waves has a tendency to injure people as they are not aware their hand is between the side of the boat and dock. Broken fingers are common for people who are not paying attention.

13. Commands & Procedures Safety Commands • Push Off – To move the boat away from the dock. • Action: While seated, the paddlers of a specific side will grab the dock and push the boat away from the dock while the opposite side begins to paddle to generate movement. • Note: This is a quick action that involves one movement and it is quickly followed by a forward or backward stroke.

14. Commands & Procedures Movement Commands • Back Paddle – Or also known as “Back it Up”. The process of reversing the boat. • Action: The reverse of the stroke, but instead of pulling water, the paddler will use the blade the push the water to create the reverse momentum. • Note: A-Frame is not necessary in this action but how ever, sync is. It is important to watch the paddler behind you and make sure the stokes are synced up.

15. Commands & Procedures Movement Commands • Draw In/Out – Or also known as “Push”. Is the process where lateral movement of the boat is created. This is done to reposition the boat • Action: Depending on the side, the entire paddling side (or selected rows) will required to push or pull in water towards the side of the boat. • Note: A-Frame is not necessary in this action but how ever, sync is. It is important to watch the paddler behind you and make sure the stokes are synced up. This is not an effective method of creating momentum so it is important to be in sync and grab as much water as possible per stroke.

16. Commands & Procedures Practice Commands Sit Up – Sit up tall and straight in the neural position. Paddles Up – Setup the A-Frame (as we did in pool practice). Take It Away – Begin paddling according to the specific race piece. Let It Run (Let it Ride) – Is the command where the paddler stop paddling and let the boat coast down to a stop. Note: Sometimes, all 3 commands will be said, while other times, the coach might forego the use of Sit Up or Paddles Up and go straight to Take It Away.

17. Commands & Procedures Race Commands Sit Up – The paddler setups in the race-ready position. Unlike the practice position, the race-ready position IS NOT as big as tall in comparison during practice. Usually in a lower stance. Ready Ready (or Set) – The position where the paddle buries their blade into the water preparing to a start. Similar to above, the A-Frame will not be as big and tall. Go! – Begin race sequence!

18. Commands & Procedures Loading and Unloading Procedures All paddlers must remember their seating position (Line Up) prior getting on the boat. Know you side and row number. Row 1-3 (Pacer) / Row 4-7 (Engine) / Row 8-10 (Rockets). Generally speaking, most regattas will require the boat to line up starting from back to front with the Rockets and Pacers loading first followed by the Engines. Unloading procedure are the same but always listen to the dock hand for instruction.

19. RACE DAY http://youtu.be/QZ8bMBjma60

20. Event Schedule Time of the first race. Time that all members are expected to be at the race course. Meeting time and place. Map and directions.

21. What To Bring • Paddle • PFD • Racing clothes • Dry clothes • Bad weather clothing • Sunscreen • Hats • Sunglasses • Towels • Water

22. Race Preparation • Team Meeting • 1 Hour team/individual warm up prior to race. • Marshalling - Be prepared to spend time n the marshalling area. (bring fluids to stay hydrated)

23. On The Water Load the boat as quickly and as organized as possible. Know your seat. Bail the boat. Begin warming up as soon as possible. Drummer and steersperson be ready.

24. On The Line You do not want to be the first or the last on the line, if you are first you may have to make constant adjustments and may cause unnecessary stress amongst the crew. If you are last you may not have your boat set up straight and the race may start whether you are ready or not, or you may be behind the start line. Continued….

25. On The Line (cont’d) All paddlers must be extremely focused. The start can happen fast and if anyone is not prepared and ready it could break a start. Depending on the conditions starts can happen fast or they can happen slow. PAY ATTENTION!!!

26. Starter Commands ALL BOATS HOLD ATTENTION After a seconds or two he or she will shoot the starting gun/horn.