Safety in the Boat
1. Proceeding with a Paddling Session
a. Our Concern
Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Club take the safety and well-being of their members seriously. A paddling session will only proceed if it is safe for everyone participating. The sweep has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the crew on the water and will consult with the coach to determine whether conditions are suitable for a training session to proceed. Consideration will be given to the water and weather conditions as well as the number of paddlers at the session and their ability and fitness levels before proceeding with a session.
b. Your Concern
However, each paddler is ultimately responsible for deciding whether their own health and fitness will enable them to paddle safely at any given session. If you are feeling unwell at any time during a session let the coach or your buddy know. If you are returning from an injury, follow your medical practitioners guidelines.
It is most important that if you cannot swim 50 metres in your paddling clothing or are not water competent that you notify the coach and sweep and wear a PFD (lifejacket). This can be provided for you.
a. Our Concern
Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Club take the safety and well-being of their members seriously. A paddling session will only proceed if it is safe for everyone participating. The sweep has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the crew on the water and will consult with the coach to determine whether conditions are suitable for a training session to proceed. Consideration will be given to the water and weather conditions as well as the number of paddlers at the session and their ability and fitness levels before proceeding with a session.
b. Your Concern
However, each paddler is ultimately responsible for deciding whether their own health and fitness will enable them to paddle safely at any given session. If you are feeling unwell at any time during a session let the coach or your buddy know. If you are returning from an injury, follow your medical practitioners guidelines.
It is most important that if you cannot swim 50 metres in your paddling clothing or are not water competent that you notify the coach and sweep and wear a PFD (lifejacket). This can be provided for you.
2. Loading the Boat
- · The strokes for the session hold the boat steady at the front.
- · The sweep enters the boat first. The rest of the crew load from the last seat to the front, so the strokes enter last. You will be allocated a seating position by either the coach or the sweep.
- · Avoid erratic movements, stay in the centre of the boat and keep bodyweight low when moving through the boat.
- · Sit in the middle of the boat until your paddling partner arrives then move to the side.
- · When seated have your paddle flat on the water to aid stability.
- · Know your buddy seated next to you as you will be looking out for the safety of your buddy in the event of a mishap. Your first responsibility is to ensure that your buddy is accounted for and safe. The drummer is looked after by row 1 (or the front row) and the sweep by row 10 (or the last row).
- · Before starting the session the sweep will call for a head count and paddlers number off from the front left.
- · The sweep will ensure that the boat is balanced and may adjust the seating to correct any imbalance by swapping paddler positions.
3. Listen to the Sweep's Calls
There are certain commands used in the dragon boat that you will need to be familiar with. The sweep and coach are the only people in the boat who should be calling instructions. Listen carefully to their calls and respond immediately.
Paddles Flat - Used to stabilise the boat. Extend your paddle in the water and press down on the blade.
Paddles Up - Have your paddle in position to stroke forwards.
Paddles Behind - Have your paddle in position to stroke backwards.
Go - Start paddling
Stop the Boat - Dig your paddle in vertically, resisting the flow of water to bring the boat to a standstill.
Let it Run - Take your paddle out of the water and rest it on the gunwales allowing the boat to glide (either forwards or backwards).
Take the Run Off - As the boat is gliding dip your paddle a little way in to resist the water and slow the boat's momentum. If the boat is going forward, your paddle goes in slightly behind you and slightly in front of you if moving backwards.
Hold Water - Keep your paddle in the water in a vertical position to stop the boat moving forward or backward.
Swapping from the Front - Paddlers swap positions with their buddies one row at a time starting with the front row. All other paddlers keep their paddles flat in the water to aid stability. When swapping the paddler on the left side of the boat slides across the seat while the paddler on the right side stands, keeps low, carefully moves to the other side and sits quickly into her position. It is important that this is a smooth, synchronised action by the two paddlers so that the boat does not tip or become unbalanced. Once the swap has been completed their paddles should immediately go into the 'paddles flat' position.
Some commands by the coach or sweep may apply to only a selection of paddlers, e.g. 'First two rows', 'Left hand side', 'Back three rows' - know your position in the boat and react on the command if you are included.
There are certain commands used in the dragon boat that you will need to be familiar with. The sweep and coach are the only people in the boat who should be calling instructions. Listen carefully to their calls and respond immediately.
Paddles Flat - Used to stabilise the boat. Extend your paddle in the water and press down on the blade.
Paddles Up - Have your paddle in position to stroke forwards.
Paddles Behind - Have your paddle in position to stroke backwards.
Go - Start paddling
Stop the Boat - Dig your paddle in vertically, resisting the flow of water to bring the boat to a standstill.
Let it Run - Take your paddle out of the water and rest it on the gunwales allowing the boat to glide (either forwards or backwards).
Take the Run Off - As the boat is gliding dip your paddle a little way in to resist the water and slow the boat's momentum. If the boat is going forward, your paddle goes in slightly behind you and slightly in front of you if moving backwards.
Hold Water - Keep your paddle in the water in a vertical position to stop the boat moving forward or backward.
Swapping from the Front - Paddlers swap positions with their buddies one row at a time starting with the front row. All other paddlers keep their paddles flat in the water to aid stability. When swapping the paddler on the left side of the boat slides across the seat while the paddler on the right side stands, keeps low, carefully moves to the other side and sits quickly into her position. It is important that this is a smooth, synchronised action by the two paddlers so that the boat does not tip or become unbalanced. Once the swap has been completed their paddles should immediately go into the 'paddles flat' position.
Some commands by the coach or sweep may apply to only a selection of paddlers, e.g. 'First two rows', 'Left hand side', 'Back three rows' - know your position in the boat and react on the command if you are included.
4. Capsize
In the highly unlikely event that the boat capsizes you must first check on your buddy and assist if needed. Your buddy is your first responsibility. Stay with the boat and await instructions from the sweep. Do not attempt to retrieve equipment, most items will float and all are replaceable. The sweep will carry out a head count and will then decide what further actions to take. Always follow the sweeps instructions.
In the highly unlikely event that the boat capsizes you must first check on your buddy and assist if needed. Your buddy is your first responsibility. Stay with the boat and await instructions from the sweep. Do not attempt to retrieve equipment, most items will float and all are replaceable. The sweep will carry out a head count and will then decide what further actions to take. Always follow the sweeps instructions.