During training all instructions come from the Steerer or Coach who has complete control of the boat.

 

NUMBERING OFF

Numbering from the front (Head Count) At the beginning before leaving the bank, beach or pontoon, the crew will call their number commencing with the drummer as 1 then, proceeding from the front left side, right side (seat 1 left is 2, seat 1 right is 3) through the boat to the steerer (on a full boat the steerer will be 22).

 

TO COMMENCE PADDLING 

Paddlers are you ready (Move paddle to the start position) Attention, Hit or Go.

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LET IT RUN

Paddles come out of the water and let the dragon boat glide.  Paddlers do not stop paddling until the command is given to “Let it Run”.

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HOLD FOR DRIFT

This is when the paddlers hold their blades still and deep in the water to halt the boats motion and to keep the dragon boat stationary, paddles at 90 degrees to boat to hold for drift.

 

DRAW WATER

Draw front left or right (specific seat numbers may be called to draw) Is used by the nominated seats to pull the front of the dragon boat in line. The opposite side should hold their paddles flat. Some seats may be directed to hold water to minimise drift. Draw back left or right (specific seat numbers may be called to draw Is used by the nominated seats to pull the back of the dragon boat in line. The opposite side should hold their paddles flat. Some seats may be directed to hold water to minimise drift. 

 

PREPARE TO BACK PADDLE

Paddles are placed in backward position for paddling backwards, paddlers looking forward at strokes awaiting the sweeps call “GO” to initiate reversing by pushing the blade forward.

 

REST/RELAX

Crew members must remain seated where they are but can relax, drink, and chat with others around them. As you were: this cancels a call started but not completed. The response from the crew is to resume their former position.

 

PADDLES FLAT

Paddlers press the blade of the paddle flat on the water to stabilize the dragon boat. (Also known as “Bracing” the boat)

 

SET

Crew members lean forward with arms straight, resting on the gunwales and with the paddle at a 90 degree angle, nearly touching the paddler in front of them.

 

CHANGE SIDES 

The paddlers change sides as instructed by the steerer. The paddlers should avoid sudden movements and transfer their weight uniformly to maintain the boat balance. This should be executed one row at a time. The row behind shouldn’t start changing until the row in front has completely finished swapping.

 

STOP THE BOAT

The boat Paddlers stop the dragon boat quickly by holding the paddle vertically in the water, holding paddles with hand flat on the blade.

 

JAM STOP

Paddlers stop the dragon boat quickly by pushing the blade vertically into the water beside the boat, holding paddles with hand flat on the blade, in the water until the ‘let it run’ command is given.

 

TIMING

Given if paddlers are out of time with strokes (caterpillaring), check your stroke, is in time with the strokes in first row. 

 

WAITING

Given if any paddlers are not prepared to commence paddling, prior to the ‘attention’ command.

 

To manoeuvre to the start position in a Race

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Calls from the Sweep

Call Action Back 2/3/4 rows Only the paddlers in the designated rows paddle under the sweep’s instruction. Other paddlers have their paddles out of the water.

 

Calls from the Starter

Call Action All boats hold:

The paddlers hold their paddles still in the water to halt the boats motion and to keep the dragon boat stationary.

 

Are you ready

The crew moves their paddles to the start position with the paddle fully immersed.

 

Drummers:

If the crew is not ready the drummer must immediately raise a hand above head height. The drummer is forbidden to take such action prior to this call. All movement of paddles to align the boat must stop.

 

Attention

The command to GO or the starting signal is imminent, and in any case shall not exceed 5 seconds. The crew should ready themselves to take the first stroke. ‘GO’ Alternatives: x Gun shot x Electronic start signal x Other distinct sound as specified. Commence Racing.

 

False start

STOP STOP STOP Alternatives: x Repeating the start signal x Using the alternative start signal as specified. Boats are to return to the start line.