Interested in Paddling for Dragon Boat Z?

Gear Requirements

• Light, quick-drying athletic clothing if you have it or, at minimum, clothes you can work out in and are okay with getting wet.
  *Please note that cotton clothing soaks up water and becomes very heavy once wet.*
• Shoes or sandals with a back strap (no flip-flops).
  *Crocs in "sport mode" are allowed, but they become very slippery. Water shoes are a great option and can be purchased cheaply online or through Walmart and Five Below.*
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• If you would like to wear sunglasses (or require prescription glasses), please make sure they have a strap to prevent losing them in the water.
• You can bring your own lifejacket, but there are lifejackets available from the dragon boat assosciation.
  *If you bring your own lifejacket, vest-style lifejackets are required. Waist-belt inflatables are not allowed. See the examples below.*

How to Sit in the Boat

• Place your outside leg forward and brace that foot on the seat in front of you.
• Brace your inside foot firmly on the frame of your own seat.
• Sit as close to the outer edge as you can; your tush hanging over the side slightly is the perfect racing position.
  *See the diagram photo on the right as an exact layout example.*

How to Paddle

• Reach forward until your paddle blade is level with your outside heel or level with the hip of the person directly in front of you. *Do not reach further forward than the hip of the person in front of you.*
• Use your body, not your arms: Avoid relying solely on your shoulders and biceps. Instead, lean forward from the hips and twist your torso to reach, then use your core muscles and legs to drive the paddle backward.
• Push the paddle down firmly into the water. The entire blade of the paddle should be fully submerged.
• Pull the paddle back with the blade submerged, but stop your stroke exactly at your hip. Pulling further back lifts water and slows down the boat.

New Paddler Tips

• Focus on pressing down with your top hand rather than just pulling with your bottom hand. This anchors the blade and maximizes stroke power.
• Keep your head up and do not look down at the water. This helps you maintain synchronicity with the team and opens up your airways for breathing.
• Don't hold your breath! Count the stroke cadence aloud with the team to stay breathing.
• Keep watching your lead paddler on the opposite side of the boat to stay in time.
  *If you sit on the left, watch the lead paddler on the right. If you cannot see the front leads, watch the furthest person up on the opposite side you can clearly see.*
• Keep your back straight and strong throughout the stroke movement.