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DRAGON BOAT STROKE FOR BASIC

BEGINNER TO MID-COMPETITIVE

LEVEL PADDLERS

Establishing stability and proper positioning in the boat is the key to transferring power to the water to create boat glide and therefore speed.

Basic Preparation

Before describing the elements of the proper stroke technique, we will outline the proper base of support (seated position in the dragon boat) and how to choose a paddle and hold the paddle correctly. If you do not have a proper base of support or if you hold the paddle incorrectly, you will not be able to achieve an efficient technique.

Base of Support

The seated position involves correct placement of the feet and the buttocks.

When getting into the boat, paddlers should sit as close as possible to the gunwale on the side they are paddling so that the hips are snug to each paddler’s side of the boat (see ssss1).

The outside leg, that is, the leg closest to the gunwale, from hip to knee, will touch the side of the boat — depending on the person’s position in the boat. It is easier to get more of your leg against the side in the very front of the boat.