Getting Started
What is a Dragon Boat (and Dragon Boating for that matter)?
A dragon boat is about 12 meters (40ft) in length, with a dragon head at the front and a dragon tail at the back. The boat holds 20 paddlers, one drummer, and one steer-person. Dragon Boats are very stable, so it is easy for beginners to participate. The Dragon Boat is often divided into 3 sections; the Pacers or Strokes, the Engine Room and the Rockets. Imagine 20 paddlers, paddling in unison to the rhythm of the drum, striving to be the first to cross the finish line. Now imagine the energy and the roar from the audience, cheering and motivating their team onwards.
The drummer and steers-person have full command of the boat from the moment that they pull away from the shore. Paddlers should remain quiet in the boat, so that all commands are clearly heard. The most important command could be “hold the boat” especially in situations where the boat must be stopped immediately. From the shore it would appear that the drummer is the one who is setting the pace of the boat, but in fact it is the front two paddlers that set the pace, the drummer is just conveying that information to the rest of the boat. The drummer is key to encouraging the paddlers in moments of fatigue and enforce any strategy the team has established to win the race. If the team gets out of sync, it will be the drummer who will help the team get back on track quickly! A steers-person guides the boat from the back using a long 9 foot steering oar. Some steers-persons prefer to stand in the boat and use their bodies to brace themselves against the steering oar. When the paddlers all start to paddle full force, it can be quite a big jolt! Standing also allows vocal commands to be clearly projected down the boat. This higher advantage point also lets them keep their eyes on the horizon line to help keep the boat straight.
Team Roster
Practices and races will be composed of a team of up to twenty-seven (27) crew members (maximum). That is one (1) team manager, twenty (20) crew members, one (1) steers-person, one (1) drummer, and four (4) spares. All members are eligible to be part of the paddling crew. A Registered Team member is any person who is listed on the practice or team roster that has completed a waiver. Mixed teams require that a minimum of eight (8) paddlers of either gender must be paddling on the boat during the race. It is also important to know that a paddler on a mixed team is allowed to paddle on a gender specific (men’s or women’s) team as well as their mixed team.
Who Supplies the Boats and Coaching?
The Alberta Dragon Boat Race Foundation (ADBRF) will supply Dynasty Dragon Boats which are fast and sleek by design. Each local team is allowed three (3) practice sessions with an experienced Dragon Boat coach. Some of the more experienced teams may have their own coaches who conduct practice sessions. Either way, once a team registers and pays their entry fee, they are then able to book practice times and indicate if they require a coach (or not). These practices will take place either at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park or at Chestermere Lake in Calgary and can be booked by contacting micaela@banfflakelouise.com or 403-762-0284.
Am I Good Enough to Compete?
Dragon Boat racing is a sport done by individuals of all shapes and sizes. In our races we have many different teams of ranging abilities and expertise. During the first race day, the initial races seat the teams into different categories depending on how well they finish. You can be assured that by the end of the tournament you will be racing with teams of your own calibre and abilities.
Further Information
For further information regarding rosters, practices, safety requirements, or rules and regulations, please go to the Rules & Regulations section.