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The Dragon Boat
A dragon boat is a large canoe-shaped boat propelled by paddlers sitting in rows of two. The boat’s main distinguishing features are dragon scales painted along the sides of the boat and, normally only at race time, an oriental dragon head attached to the front and a stylized dragon’s tail attached to the rear.
The boat is steered by a Steersperson (Steers) using a long oar located at the rear of the boat. At festivals, a Drummer (Coach) sits in a chair placed on the bow, facing the crew, either calling or using a drum (often a large Chinese-style) to beat out the stroke pace.
A full crew consists of 22 people – 20 paddlers, a Steersperson and a Drummer. The paddlers are seated in pairs on each of the 10 seats, the Steersperson is standing at the back of the boat, and the Drummer is seated at the front. During practices we have a coach in place of a Drummer at the front of the boat.
In a race, the goal is to have the crew move the boat forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. A typical race is 500-metres in length and lasts two to three minutes, depending on weather and water conditions. Race success requires a combination of stroke technique, paddling in unison, and endurance.
Dragon Boat Crew Members
A crew usually consists of 22 members – 20 paddlers, a STEERSPERSON and a DRUMMER (usually our Coach).
The 20 paddlers are broken down into three sections: the FRONTS (the first six paddlers), the ENGINE ROOM (the middle eight paddlers) and the BACKS (the last six paddlers).
The STROKES are the two paddlers in the first seat and they set the pace for the rest of the boat. These two paddlers must work in unison and stay in time with each other.
The FRONTS are usually shorter paddlers because this section of the boat is narrower and has the least legroom. They must be skilled paddlers who can match the pace set by the strokes, as all other paddlers behind them are following this set pace.
The ENGINE ROOM paddlers provide much of the power. Generally taller paddlers are placed in this section of the boat because it is the widest and has the most leg room.|
The BACKS are often skilled technical paddlers because the water near the rear of the boat is already cavitating (moving) and is very difficult to manage.
The STEERSPERSON (also called the Steers) stands at the back of the boat and uses a large steering oar. This person’s job is to keep the boat traveling in a straight line so the paddlers can propel the boat forward in the fastest and most efficient manner. The Steersperson is responsible for the overall safety of the crew and the boat.
The DRUMMER (usually our Coach) sits on a raised chair at the front of the boat, faces the crew and has her/his back to the finish line. This person is responsible for calling out the stroke pace by watching the lead stroke and relaying the pace to the rest of the crew, either through voice commands and/or by hitting the drum. The Drummer has a loud voice, a calm demeanor and often is small in stature.
Terms and Glossary of Commands
Roles
Boat Terms
Basic Commands
Race Start Commands
Roles
Coach: the person who organizes and directs practices, teaches stroke technique and monitors paddler’s progress through the season. The coach may also drum or run the practice from a coach boat.
Drummer: person at the bow of the boat who beats the drum, sets the team’s pace (in conjunction with Front Strokes), and gives commands. For us, the coach is usually also the drummer.
Front Strokes: two paddlers in the front seats (seat 1) of the boat, who set the pace and are watched by all other paddlers by looking diagonally across the boat.
Mid Strokes: two paddlers in the middle of the boat who follow Front Strokes. Mid strokes are watched by paddlers looking diagonally across the boat if Front Strokes are not visible. Mid Strokes may also relay commands.
Steers or Steersperson: person at the stern of the boat responsible for steering and giving commands and is ultimately the person in charge of crew and boat safety when out on the water. Steers commands relate to safety of the boat and must be followed immediately.
Boat Terms
Bow: front of boat
Gunnel or Gunwale: sides of the boat
PFD: is also known as personal floatation device or life jacket. A PFD provides buoyancy to help a person stay afloat in the water and must be worn at all times when on the water.
Port: left side
Seats: bench where two paddlers sit side-by-side. Seats are numbered 1 to 10 and may be referred to when commands are given.
Starboard: right side
Steering Oar: large oar at the stern used by the Steersperson to steer the boat
Stern: rear of boat
Basic Commands
Back Paddle: paddlers stroke backwards in unison.
Brace the Boat: paddle blade with downward pressure is flat on the water and is slowly moving back and forth (like spreading peanut butter on toast).
Check for Drift: paddle blade is parallel to the gunnel and paddle shaft is held against the gunnel. The paddle blade is fully buried in the water.
Check and Hold: odd numbered seats place blades in the hold position, even numbered seats place the blades in the check position. The pattern continues down both sides of the boat. The blade is fully buried in the water.
Draw (Left or Right): paddlers lean over the gunnel and pull paddles (deeply) towards themselves in unison with Strokes. Paddles are fully buried in the water. Paddlers on the opposite side of the boat lean out.
Focus in the Boat: stop talking and moving. Listen to and/or watch the Drummer, Coach or the Steersperson.
Hold the Boat: paddle handle and blade are at a right angle to the gunnel. Paddle is placed close to the hip and the blade is fully buried in the water. The paddle is held firmly in the water.
Let it Run/Let it Ride: stop paddling and place the paddle shaft across legs and gunnel.
Paddles Up: sit square with paddle placed close to gunnel and slightly above the water ready to enter the water on the next command. Paddle handle and blade are at a right angle to the gunnel with both hands outside of the boat, bottom arm straight, but not locked, creating a positive angle toward the front of the boat.
Take it Away: paddlers, in unison, begin paddling.
Walk it Down (Left or Right): leaving a dock by having the dockside paddlers back the boat down with hands.
Walk it Up (Left or Right): parking at a dock by having the dockside paddlers move the boat up with their hands.
Race Start Commands
Back it Down: steersperson calls “Last (number stated) seats, give me (number stated) back strokes.” The boat has glided across the start line and needs to reverse course. Paddles enter the water in unison.
Move it Up: steersperson calls “Last (number stated) seats, give me (number stated) strokes.” The boat needs to slowly move up to be in alignment with the start line. Paddles enter the water in unison.
Focus in the Boat: stop talking and moving. Listen to and/or watch the Drummer or the Steersperson.
All Boats Hold: starter/referee’s call signifying that boats are being aligned and to hold their position.
We Have Alignment: starter/referee’s call signifying that all boats are in alignment with the start line.
Attention Please: the starter’s command that all boats are aligned and the race will start in one or two seconds.
Go! (Horn or Voice): the starter’s command to begin the race. The team begins its start sequence.
Our Dragon Boat Stroke
Not all dragon boat strokes are the same. After using two methods that incorporated more shoulder use, the club was fortunate to have elite Canadian coaches come to Nelson in 2016 to teach us the stroke we currently use. This stroke is much easier on the body incorporating our legs and core using a twisting motion of the torso while keeping our heads looking across and up the boat to seat 1. The first season we incorporated the stroke we started winning races at festivals!
Dryland training is for all paddlers to learn and/or refresh:
Commands
Stroke Technique
Etiquette / Protocols including boat and water safety
These Dryland sessions help minimize the need for “on the water” explanations and maximize learning speed. The coaches are going to be focusing on the stroke recovery so we encourage seasoned paddlers to attend at least a couple of these sessions.
Please remember to bring indoor shoes to change into to ensure safety during warm up and cool down.
We look forward to seeing you in April.
The KRD Coaching Team
“Have a fun and safe Dragon Boating season,”