Dragon Boating is all about a crew paddling in harmony, applying the combined power of all people in the boat in the most efficient way, moving the boat forward in rhythm and synchronicity.
On this page, you can find the basic information about the style of paddling used at NBDBC.
Seating position
Our seating position is firm but relaxed, stretching the inner leg forward and bending the outer leg back, knees together. The oustide hip is in touch with the side of the boat.
Setup position
On the command of 'Paddles up!', all paddlers move into the setup position, ready to get the boat going:
The upper body leans forward with a straight back in an angle of about 30 degrees. Head is in a neutral position, in extension to the back.
The outer arm is fully extended parallel to the water outside of the boat.
The inner arm reaches forward high up, slightly bend (30 degrees), with the elbow pointing inwards and up. The hand is in one line with the forearm, keeping the wrist straight.
Hold the paddle with a relaxed grip. The outer hand holds the paddle 3 to 5 finger widths above the blade, with the paddle just above the water.
When holding the paddle, both hands are outside the boat, perpendicular to the boat edge. The paddle should have a slight angle forward (30 degrees).
Take a deep breath in and you are ready to go!
Stroke
Dragon boat paddling is a continuous series of short intervals of high intensity effort and recovery. Each interval is called a stroke. The stroke starts at the setup position and generally is divided into 4 distinct phases: catch, drive, exit, return. The pace is set by the 'strokes', the pair of paddlers who sit in the first row of the dragonboat.
Catch
This phase is about getting the paddle in the water (catching the water) in a soft movement without creating any bubbles or splashes so pressure can be build up during the drive. From the setup position, the upper body drops forward and down with the blade smoothly sliding into the water until it is fully submerged.
Drive
The drive is the continuation of the catch, starting at the speed of the water, but then gradually applying more downward pressure, increasing the pressure on the blade, accelerating all the way through the exit. The drive is the power phase of the stroke, propelling the boat forward.
The power of the drive comes from driving the top hand down using your big muscle groups in the back and core and your body weight. There is no pulling of the outer arm at any time.
While driving down, the body rises up so that the outside hand just skims over the water, until the oustide arm is next to your hip and the angle of your upper body is just slightly forward (10 degrees), pushing the hip forward, pushing your just out proud, and lifting your view, eyes forward.
The outer arm stays straight until the exit and just guides the paddle. The grip of the outer hand is relaxed, allowing an angle between the hand and forearm and the shaft of the paddle.
Do not pull with the outer arm! Never pull! Ever!!!
The drive is supported by breathing out.
Exit
The exit is an extension of the drive, fast and sidewards, when the outer arm has reached the hip of the paddler and the drive and boat are at the highest speed.
While the pressure from the top hand continues, the outside arm will slightly bend, relaxe and and the paddle will pop smoothly out of the water to the outer side, without splashing or scooping.
The inside arm stays mostly straight, and can use a slight twist in the wrist to help release the blade from the water. At this stage the air has all breath has been released.
Return
The return is the relaxation phase of the stroke also allowing the paddler to inhale and fill the lungs with air.
While the inner arm comes up to the setup position, the outer hand punches forward fast and smooth, bringing the paddle with it just over the water line, until it is stretched out completely.
At the same time the upper body relaxes and naturally hinges forward in a straight line until the paddler has reached the setup position again and is ready for the next stroke.
