Dragon Boat Information and FAQs

A standard Dragon boat has 10 bench seats with a capacity of 20 paddlers, one sweep and a drummer (normally only present during competitions). 

A small dragon boat has 5 bench seats for ten paddlers, plus a sweep and drummer, but these are less common.  

At BRD we have six standard boats and two small boats. 

All dragon boats are stored under boat covers in the reserve and are launched from the boat ramp or beach depending on beach and tide conditions. 

During competition dragon boats are 'dressed' with a head and tail, and have a drum and drummer's seat attached. 

Paddling is great exercise, and you can be as serious or social as you wish but be warned, once you have a boat alongside you it’s all about winning! 

Paddling FAQs

• How do I know when training is? 

We use the ‘TeamReach’ mobile App to organise attendance at our training sessions, regattas and other club events.

Coaches post regular training sessions and other events, and club members simply indicate whether they will be attending. Include your preferred paddling side.

Prior to each session coaches will post the crews including seating position. Boats are balanced according to paddlers' experience, weight and strength to ensure performance and safety.

• What happens at training? 

On water training sessions run for around 60-75 minutes. We train Saturday and Monday mornings, Tuesday & Thursday evenings.

Paddlers usually arrive 30 minutes before the session to help prepare the boats, warm up and stretch (and enjoy a bit of a chat). 

After training everyone helps wash down the boats (Saturdays), store and cover the boats and return equipment to the DB container.

• What should I wear for paddling? 

Dragon boating is a water sport so expect to get a little wet. You don’t need any special gear but comfortable activewear or quick-dry clothing is ideal. Wear shoes that you can get wet, even thongs or Crocs are fine. Be sunsafe and wear a hat and take a water bottle. 

• Do I need to wear a life jacket (PFD)

The answer varies and depends on your swimming ability. PFDS are optional in sports boats unless you are not confident on water and can't swim 50m (not that swimming is ever intended in the program!)
Our sweeps always wear a PFD. 

• Do I need to buy a paddle? 

No, we have club paddles available for new paddlers to use.

Paddles can be collected from the dragon boat container at the clubhouse prior to training and are to be returned after training. Most paddlers will buy their own paddle once they decide dragon boating is for them.

ON THE WATER

• What are the various roles in the boat?

Coach - The coach plans and delivers each training session in line with the seasonal program.

Our coaches rotate sessions throughout the week and are all fully accredited through AusDBF. Our current coaching team is Di Clohessy, John Cook, Martin Pavelka and Mark Slater. We continue to develop assistant coaches who will also take sessions. 

Sweep - The Sweep (or Steerer) stands at the back of the boat and steers the boat using a large sweep oar. The sweep is ultimately responsible for the safety of the boat and paddlers. A sweep may call for a boat to stop or to move within a session to ensure the boat is in a safe position. Instructions from the sweep must always be followed.

Paddlers -  Up to 20 paddlers power a standard boat, and 10 paddler power a small boat. They provide the 'engine' for the dragon boat. An experienced crew can achieve speeds greater than 15km per hour!

Strokes - Strokes are the two paddlers who sit in the front seat of the dragon boat. The strokes set the stroke rate and timing for the boat. 

Counter - During a training session one paddler in the boat may be nominated as the 'counter'. Their role is to count the number of strokes and advise the sweep when the required amount for the drill is reached. 

• What is the most important part of paddling?

TIMING. Without a doubt, timing is the single most important skill in dragon boating.  All other things will develop but if everyone is in time the boat has its best chance of moving forward. When every paddler applies power at the same moment, the boats runs faster, smoother and more efficiently. 

• Drummer

The drummer sits on the seat at the very front of the boat facing the crew. During racing they beat the drum to help maintain timing, motivate the crew and relay instructions from the sweep. Drummers are generally the lighter crew members, although enthusiasm is just as important as size!

• What is numbering off? 

Once the boat is loaded the Sweep (who steers the boat) will ask paddlers to ‘number off’. Paddlers will call out their number starting from left to right, front to back. The front left paddler (#1) , front right (#2) etc all the way to the Rear right (#20) and finally the sweep. The count will start at the drummer if one is on board. The count continues from left to right after that. This is a safety measure to help the sweep to account for every member of the crew in the event of an incident. 

• Paddles ON!

You  will hear Paddles ON or Paddles Flat! This means to place your paddle blade flat on the water. This acts to stabilise the boat and you will hear this call most often when there is wake, waves or movement in the boat. When every paddler has their paddle 'on' the water, boat stability is greatly improved. It is good practice to do this whenever not paddling. 

• What is drawing? 

No, we don’t hand everyone a pencil and a sheet of paper.  

Drawing is a paddling technique which is used to straighten the boat when stationary (usually encountered at a race start). It's most common at start situations in windy conditions. A few rows on one side at either the front or rear of the boat will be instructed to draw. This involves paddling sideways and drawing the paddle DEEP under the boat. 

• Paddling backwards? 

On occasion we will have to paddle backwards to manoeuvre the boat, usually when leaving the jetty in training, and when reversing into start pontoons during competition. When you paddle backwards paddlers will be asked by the sweep to look BEHIND them and take their timing from the paddler BEHIND them.  

• How fast do I paddle? 

The speed of stroke you paddle at is called the stroke rate. This is set by the front two paddlers so get your timing from them. A faster stroke rate does not necessarily mean a faster boat. Timing, technique, power and length are far more important. 

• Do dragon boats have a drummer? 

Yes, but usually only during racing. At training we generally paddle without a drummer. During competitions the drummer sits at the front of the boat facing the crew, bearing the drum to help maintain timing while working closely with the sweep. 

BOAT LAYOUT

• Have other questions?
  If it's about your paddling technique talk to one of the coaching team.
  Anything else, ask anyone, we're all friendly!