The Killer Guppies Dragon Boat Team

T he success of the Dragon Boat Team is dependent on the coordinated movements of the crew. Paddling in unison propels the boat through the water in the most effective manner.

The typical Dragon Boat race consists of paddling 500 meters in just over two minutes. Fatigue is our adversary. Maintaining a uniform, synchronized stroke for the duration is our challenge. It is to that end that we train. We work to build our stamina, perfect our technique, and become one uniform boat.

• Dragon Boat Stroke
• Form and Technique
• Commands
• Additional Resources

Dragon Boat Stroke Paddle-Up (Ready). Bring the paddle up pointing the shaft and blade forward at a 45° angle. Hold the blade perpendicular to the direction of travel and about 2 inches above the water. Your Inside arm is bent and your inside hand, which is resting on the T, is in front of, and above, your forehead. Your outside arm is straight. Twist your outside shoulder toward the bow to extend the blade as far forward as possible. As you lean forward keep your chin up so that you do not bend forward. Move your body forward without bending. Lean out over the gunnel (the top side of the boat) to make the shaft of the paddle vertical with the side of the boat as would be seen if it were viewed from the bow or stern. Catch. Keep your outside elbow locked straight. With your outside shoulder as the pivot point, use your inside arm to quickly drive the paddle down into the water. The blade will slip into the water without a splash. Keeping your outside arm straight, continue to bury the blade until your outside hand, (which is gripping the paddle at a point one fist above the blade) is touching the water. Pull. Keeping your outside arm straight, rotate your torso and straighten your back to pull the shaft of the paddle to a point that is about mid thigh. Pull with your back. Use your legs to transfer the force to the boat. Do not pull by bending your outside arm. Doing that will tire your arm muscles. Recovery. At this point you can bend your outside elbow to facilitate this maneuver. At the end of the power stroke, quickly lift the blade up and out of the water by pulling it up and forward. Once clear of the water, throw it very slightly to the outside. (This is called a “small J out” because if viewed from above that is the path the blade follows). Lift the blade to clear the water and snap it back to the paddle-up position as fast as possible. Your outside elbow is again locked straight.

Pause. You are ready for the next catch. Hold it. This is the time the boat glides on its momentum and we get a few milliseconds of rest before the next stroke. Ideally we should power 75% of the time and glide, during the pause, 25% of the time.

Form and Technique Responding to Commands. Look sharp! When commands are given, execute them quickly–snap to position. All paddles must enter the water at the same time. This is most important. To accomplish this, at all times keep your eyes looking forward and into the boat. The crew must act as one. Position in the Boat. Sit as close to the outside of the boat as possible. Have one leg forward (you can place both legs forward if is more comfortable). Tuck one leg under the seat to lock yourself in. Sit at the edge of the bench at an angle such that you are facing into the boat. This will give you more extension during the reach to the ready position.

• Exhale during the stroke.
• Inhale during the snap back to the ready position and hold the pause.
• Snap your paddle back to the ready position as fast as possibly. Kick the boat as you twist are return to the ready position. Do not bend, but rather, lean forward keeping your chin up.

The Finish Line. The term “Finish Line” is a misnomer. That is because we do not finish at that line. On the contrary, we power through it continuing to give all we’ve got. Therefore, I prefer to call it the “judging” line, and the finish is when the caller calls, “easy oar.” The point is to not let up in anticipation of the finish. Keep going until told to stop.

Water. Drinking water is important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after a workout or race.

Commands Standby. Lean as far forward as you can. Hold the paddle so that the shaft is horizontal with the blade vertical. It should be resting on the gunnel just behind the person in front of you. Paddles Up. Bring the paddle up quickly, pointing forward at a 45° angle with the blade about 2 inches above the water. Your Inside arm is bent and your inside hand, which is on the T handle, is in front of, and above, your forehead. Your outside arm is straight. Twist your outside shoulder toward the bow to extend the blade as far forward as possible. Lean out over the gunnel to make the shaft of the paddle vertical with the side of the boat as would be seen from the bow or stern. Hold this position. Go. Needs no explanation needed. Easy All; Easy Oar; Let it Ride This command stops the paddling. Sit up straight with your paddles resting horizontal on the gunnel, blade out. The paddle should be rotated so that the blade is vertical.

Long. This is a timing queue to bring the team back in sync. It is an opportunity to stretch out and break the tedium of constant paddling. On this call twist more and reach farther during the pause. The Caller will announce Ready for Long? On the next stroke the crew responds Ready! On the next stroke the Caller calls Now! There is no end to this command. We just keep going long which is what we are supposed to be doing all along.

Power-Up (or Power 10). On this command drive the paddle deeper during the catch and pull faster to generate more force. Keep the tempo the same (there is a tendency to speed up). Watch the strokers. Staying together is more important than power. When the power is applied, the crew counts out the strokes 2 through 10. Reeeaaach! Drive the handle down with your inside arm. Rotate quickly pulling the paddle back. Recover to the ready position and pause.

Power Kill. Same as “Power-Up” or “Power 10″ except it is given at the end of the race. It is the final sprint to the finish line. It is called kill for a reason. If you are not dead when the race is over you didn’t give enough effort. But stay in sync. Pull harder by pulling faster. Pause longer to maintain the tempo. Do not panic.

Left Side Draw. This is to move the boat sideways to the left. Everyone on the right of the boat places their paddles flat on the water and, holding the paddle firmly, lean out over the gunnel to balance the boat. Those on the left lean out and in unison paddle toward the hull. Watch the strokers. At the “easy oar” command the right side performs a full check of the boat.

Right Side Draw. This is to move the boat sideways to the right. Everyone on the left of the boat places their paddles flat on the water and, holding the paddle firmly, lean out over the gunnel to balance the boat. Those on the right lean out and in unison paddle toward the hull. Watch the strokers. At the “easy oar” command the left side performs a full check of the boat.

Strokers 45° Right. To assist the Steersman in turning the boat to the right, the two right-side strokers paddle at a 45° angle toward the hull.

Strokers 45° Left. To assist the Steersman in turning the boat to the left, the two left-side strokers paddle at a 45° angle toward the hull.

Paddles on the Water. To stabilize the boat. Used when crew are standing or changing positions. All paddles are extended out and held firmly with the paddle blade flat on the water.

Check Slow the boat. All paddles are pushed vertically down into the water with the blade perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Full Check Stop the boat. All paddles are pushed vertically down into the water with the blade perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Additional Resources

• Training Parameters - Good overall information.
• The Dragon Boat Stroke - Explanation and illustrations of the paddling positions.
Written by Bill Simon, July 2004