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General Commands in Practice
Dragon Boat racing requires a high degree of responsiveness from all
members for safety and competitiveness. When a boat needs to make an
immediate quick maneuver, responding timely to commands will surely help
keep things safe and fun for all.
LOAD the BOAT
Step onto the boats after having put on and buckled your PFD, with
everything ready to go.
When getting on the boat, be sure to do so one person at a time, one
foot at a time. Start by stepping as close to the middle of the boat as
possible, and once both feet are in, keep your profile low --in effect,
lower the center of gravity.
SIT READY [Ready All]
Sit up straight and hold the paddle across your legs, extending the
blade out to the water. This is a straight posture but relaxed position,
used for reinforcing attention and focus through the entire crew.
PADDLES UP
Hold the paddle in the A-frame forward ready position. Blade slighting
touching the water surface in front. This commands is to get everyone to
start the synchronization of the the very first stroke to take the boat
away. This is only done in non-race maneuvering. In races, we would use
a different command for the "get set & ready " position.
GO or TAKE-It-AWAY
Simply start paddling
HOLD WATER or CHECK the
BOAT
Action to stop the boat from moving.
Plant your paddle swiftly and fully perpendicular to the gunwale and
brace with your body to stop the boat from moving forward or back.
DRAW (LEFT / RIGHT)
The paddlers will lean out to the side and pull water (deep)
towards themselves – like having lost lost an object and trying to scoop it back. This is
essential on the starting line, or when the boat needs to make quick
turns, when winds may drift the boat sideways and the steersperson is
trying to line the boat up directly down the course. Often, the
steersperson will only call "First Two", or "First Three Draw
Left/Right" or "Back Two/Three," The umbers means the seat number.
"First Three Draw Left" means the first three seats draw on the left
side (the left-sitting persons only as in this case, we need to draw in
from left.
PUSH or PRY (LEFT/
RIGHT)
This command is the exact opposite of DRAW.
Bury the blade deeply below the boat, with the blade's flat surface
parallel to the gunwale, and push outward.
FOCUS
(used at DC Dragon boat Club)
Suspend conversation, diversions, distractions and focus in the boat and
on the task at hand.
LET IT
RUN (or Let it Ride)
Stop paddling and hold the paddle in the sit-ready position, blade on
top of the water to maintain balance while letting the boat continue to
glide.
Hold Water or Hold the Boat or Stop the Boat
Race Start-Line Commands
MOVE UP - "First Three seats, Give Me 3 Strokes"
Steerer commands certain seat (always paddler pair in this case) to
paddle exactly 1, or 2, or 3 strokes to get the boat to alignment at the
start line.
BACK DOWN - "Last Three seats, Give Me 3
BACK Strokes"
The boat has glided across the start line and needs to back down.
Steerer commands certain seat (always paddler pair in this case) to
paddle exactly 1, or 2, or 3 back strokes to get the boat to alignment
at the start line.
ALL BOATS HOLD
Starter referee's call signifying that he/she is getting alignment of
all boats.
Be ready and focus on your team only to respond, the race is starting
any second.
WE HAVE ALIGNMENT - ARE
YOU READY!
Starter referee's call signifying that he/she HAS EXACT ALGINMENT.
You should be hearing ATTENTION
from your steerer at this time.
ATTENTION!
Your steerer's command to get into attention position.
GO! (HORN or GUN sound)
Your steerer's command to
begin the race --take off on your start sequence.
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