Technique
The following sections show a number of paddling techniques
How to measure the right size paddle for you?
In this quick guide, to show you how easy it is to determine what size paddle to use.
Note: this is a general guide based on a formula developed by a combination of dragon boat manufacturers.
We usually determine the length by following some simple steps:
1. Sit upright on your buttocks on a flat surface. (e.g a chair or bench)
2. Raise your right arm vertically upwards pointing the ceiling
3. Measure the length between the center of your palm to your buttocks. (This
measurement is in inches ranging from 46inches to 51inches)
©2008 Dragonglobe Pty Ltd • Web: http://www.dragonglobe.com©2008 Dragonglobe Pty Ltd • Web: http://www.dragonglobe.com
Table of paddle sizes:
Note: this is a general guide based on a formula developed by a combination of dragon boat manufacturers.
We usually determine the length by following some simple steps:
1. Sit upright on your buttocks on a flat surface. (e.g a chair or bench)
2. Raise your right arm vertically upwards pointing the ceiling
3. Measure the length between the center of your palm to your buttocks. (This
measurement is in inches ranging from 46inches to 51inches)
©2008 Dragonglobe Pty Ltd • Web: http://www.dragonglobe.com©2008 Dragonglobe Pty Ltd • Web: http://www.dragonglobe.com
Table of paddle sizes:
Dragon Boat Paddling Commands
With any dragon boat team you paddle with, there will be the standard paddling commands that any member of a crew will know to follow. Here are commands below:
· “Attention, please” Command given by race starter to prepare crews for departure, the start gun will follow in approximately 3-5 seconds.
· Back Paddling The stroke used to bring a boat backward into or away from a dock or a race start.
· Catch The point when the paddle first comes into contact with the water.
· Check or “Check the boat” for stopping the boat’s momentum whether in a forward or backward motion i.e. if moving forward a ‘check’ would be accomplished by back paddling.
· Draw or Draw Stroke used most often by front or back paddlers to line a boat up straight at the start of the race or to turn the boat around. The paddle is placed perpendicular to the side of the boat and ‘drawn’ towards the boat.
· Drummer The person who sets a crew’s timing by rhythmically pounding a drum or calling stroke rates. The drummer sits in the bow and is usually lightweight.
· Dry start This is when everyone starts the race with their paddles out of the water at around 45 degrees
· Engine room Refers to the paddlers in the middle to back of the boat.
· Exit The point in a stroke in which the paddle leaves the water cleanly and quickly midway between the paddler’s knee and hip.
· Finish The point near the end of a race (in a 500m race usually the last 100m mark) when a team’s drummer/steersperson calls for an increase in power and rate.
· Heads in the Boat Command used by steersperson/drummer to prepare crew for race start
· Hold the boat : Bringing the boat to a full stop with the use of the paddles. Most commonly the whole crew would dig their paddles into the water until the boat stops. Keep holding till the steers-person says let it run/ride.
· Let it run” Command from drummer/steersperson to stop paddling and let the boat coast with blades out of the water.
· Pull The phase of the stroke in which the paddle is fully buried in the water and the paddler pulls the paddle back directly parallel with the boat.
· Reach The phase of the stroke in which the paddler maximizes the length of their stroke before hitting the catch.
· Recovery The final phase of the stroke in which the paddle, following the exit, is snapped forward to the catch position.
· Rotation The stroke phase that involves trunk rotation in order to maximize reach.
· Sit up Part of what is important here is that all paddlers in the boat are sitting up in the same position with their paddles held in the same position. This gives a comment start point for all team members in the boat. When the next command is given all paddlers are making the same coordinated movements. This gives the team a faster response time, organised with no confusing movements and almost as important you look good as a team, when you look good you feel good, this is empowering.
· Steersperson The person located at the stern of the boat responsible for steering and giving the crew commands, preferably someone with sailing or boating experience. A minimum of two dragon boat practice sessions are required to acquire the skills necessary to steer the boat.
· Stroke Refers to one cycle of the paddling motion. Also refers to the first two paddlers in the front seats who set the pace for team.
· Stroke rate The paddling pace, the number of times the paddle goes through the water in a minute. Rates can vary from 40 to over 80 depending on the intensity of effort. The crew’s optimum rate for racing is determined by the coach.
· “Take it Away” Command given by drummer/steersperson to begin paddling, usually follows command of ‘Attention”
· Timing Occurs when a paddler’s timing is ahead of and out of sync with the rest of the crew.
· Wet Start Paddle is in the water with outside arm straight just before the start.
· “Attention, please” Command given by race starter to prepare crews for departure, the start gun will follow in approximately 3-5 seconds.
· Back Paddling The stroke used to bring a boat backward into or away from a dock or a race start.
· Catch The point when the paddle first comes into contact with the water.
· Check or “Check the boat” for stopping the boat’s momentum whether in a forward or backward motion i.e. if moving forward a ‘check’ would be accomplished by back paddling.
· Draw or Draw Stroke used most often by front or back paddlers to line a boat up straight at the start of the race or to turn the boat around. The paddle is placed perpendicular to the side of the boat and ‘drawn’ towards the boat.
· Drummer The person who sets a crew’s timing by rhythmically pounding a drum or calling stroke rates. The drummer sits in the bow and is usually lightweight.
· Dry start This is when everyone starts the race with their paddles out of the water at around 45 degrees
· Engine room Refers to the paddlers in the middle to back of the boat.
· Exit The point in a stroke in which the paddle leaves the water cleanly and quickly midway between the paddler’s knee and hip.
· Finish The point near the end of a race (in a 500m race usually the last 100m mark) when a team’s drummer/steersperson calls for an increase in power and rate.
· Heads in the Boat Command used by steersperson/drummer to prepare crew for race start
· Hold the boat : Bringing the boat to a full stop with the use of the paddles. Most commonly the whole crew would dig their paddles into the water until the boat stops. Keep holding till the steers-person says let it run/ride.
· Let it run” Command from drummer/steersperson to stop paddling and let the boat coast with blades out of the water.
· Pull The phase of the stroke in which the paddle is fully buried in the water and the paddler pulls the paddle back directly parallel with the boat.
· Reach The phase of the stroke in which the paddler maximizes the length of their stroke before hitting the catch.
· Recovery The final phase of the stroke in which the paddle, following the exit, is snapped forward to the catch position.
· Rotation The stroke phase that involves trunk rotation in order to maximize reach.
· Sit up Part of what is important here is that all paddlers in the boat are sitting up in the same position with their paddles held in the same position. This gives a comment start point for all team members in the boat. When the next command is given all paddlers are making the same coordinated movements. This gives the team a faster response time, organised with no confusing movements and almost as important you look good as a team, when you look good you feel good, this is empowering.
· Steersperson The person located at the stern of the boat responsible for steering and giving the crew commands, preferably someone with sailing or boating experience. A minimum of two dragon boat practice sessions are required to acquire the skills necessary to steer the boat.
· Stroke Refers to one cycle of the paddling motion. Also refers to the first two paddlers in the front seats who set the pace for team.
· Stroke rate The paddling pace, the number of times the paddle goes through the water in a minute. Rates can vary from 40 to over 80 depending on the intensity of effort. The crew’s optimum rate for racing is determined by the coach.
· “Take it Away” Command given by drummer/steersperson to begin paddling, usually follows command of ‘Attention”
· Timing Occurs when a paddler’s timing is ahead of and out of sync with the rest of the crew.
· Wet Start Paddle is in the water with outside arm straight just before the start.
Dragon Boat Paddling Technique
Unlike canoeing, dragon boating utilises a special forward stroke technique, where all paddling takes place ahead of the paddler's spine.
Reach:
TWISTING torso to show you back to the shore, chest faces across the boat at your partner
LEANING: nose should be above or forward of your bent knee
STRETCHING: paddle is at thigh of the person in front of you
Look UNDER your arm, across the boat, into your partner's eyes
Top hand is HIGH, above your head
Bottom arm is STRAIGHT (and top arm nearly so)
Paddle in PLANE perpendicular to the water (i.e. top hand is OUTSIDE the boat) Prepare for "leg drive"
TWISTING torso to show you back to the shore, chest faces across the boat at your partner
LEANING: nose should be above or forward of your bent knee
STRETCHING: paddle is at thigh of the person in front of you
Look UNDER your arm, across the boat, into your partner's eyes
Top hand is HIGH, above your head
Bottom arm is STRAIGHT (and top arm nearly so)
Paddle in PLANE perpendicular to the water (i.e. top hand is OUTSIDE the boat) Prepare for "leg drive"
"Paddles Up" position (reach and rotation)
Reach:
TWISTING torso to show you back to the shore, chest faces across the boat at your partner
LEANING: nose should be above or forward of your bent knee
STRETCHING: paddle is at thigh of the person in front of you
Look UNDER your arm, across the boat, into your partner's eyes
Top hand is HIGH, above your head
Bottom arm is STRAIGHT (and top arm nearly so)
Paddle in PLANE perpendicular to the water (i.e. top hand is OUTSIDE the boat) Prepare for "leg drive"
TWISTING torso to show you back to the shore, chest faces across the boat at your partner
LEANING: nose should be above or forward of your bent knee
STRETCHING: paddle is at thigh of the person in front of you
Look UNDER your arm, across the boat, into your partner's eyes
Top hand is HIGH, above your head
Bottom arm is STRAIGHT (and top arm nearly so)
Paddle in PLANE perpendicular to the water (i.e. top hand is OUTSIDE the boat) Prepare for "leg drive"
1a The "Catch" or "Entry"
Reach forward and drive the top arm down, while the blade is as far forward as possible
1b "Bury the Paddle
"Bury" the paddle as deep as your fitness and timing will allow:
Your lower hand is in the water. Keep the paddle blade perpendicular to the keel of the boat at all times
Your lower hand is in the water. Keep the paddle blade perpendicular to the keel of the boat at all times
2 Pull/Draw "Moving Water"
This motion is very short... the lower hand only travels 12 to 14 inches backwards until it reaches the paddler's knee
· Rock back and sit UP all the way
· Top arm stays HIGH: never let your hand fall below chin level
· Use your back, not your arms
· Top hand stays OUTSIDE the boat over the water
· Stroke ENDS at or forward of your hip
· You are now facing the FRONT of the boat
· Rock back and sit UP all the way
· Top arm stays HIGH: never let your hand fall below chin level
· Use your back, not your arms
· Top hand stays OUTSIDE the boat over the water
· Stroke ENDS at or forward of your hip
· You are now facing the FRONT of the boat
3 Exit
Begin recovery IMMEDIATELY
Exit begins at the knee, and the blade tip fully leaves the water before the hip. The blade tip is only 6 inches above the water upper
Pull paddle out of the water nearly VERTICAL by lifting your top hand.
The upper arm is allowed to drop slightly as a brief rest, and the paddle blade exits the water diagonally.
Exit begins at the knee, and the blade tip fully leaves the water before the hip. The blade tip is only 6 inches above the water upper
Pull paddle out of the water nearly VERTICAL by lifting your top hand.
The upper arm is allowed to drop slightly as a brief rest, and the paddle blade exits the water diagonally.
4 Recovery (Return to Reach - Extension Position)
Using a “SNAP” motion the paddle is flicked forward to the paddle reach position .
The back and shoulder twist and – rotate to reach your snap your arm forward.
The recovery motion is a also a brief half-second rest that helps flush lactic acid
Reference http://dragonboats.tripod.com/pages/db_paddling_technique.htm
The back and shoulder twist and – rotate to reach your snap your arm forward.
The recovery motion is a also a brief half-second rest that helps flush lactic acid
Reference http://dragonboats.tripod.com/pages/db_paddling_technique.htm