Putting Dragons In Boats: A Guide To Success

Dragon boating is a traditional Chinese watercraft activity that has been practised for over 2000 years. The boats are typically made of carbon fibre, fibreglass, and other lightweight materials, and are decorated with ornate and colourful paint schemes, including a dragon's head and tail. Dragon boats vary in size, with larger boats measuring up to 90 feet in length and accommodating upwards of 50 paddlers. The sport of dragon boat racing has its roots in ancient folk rituals and community celebrations and has been a modern international sport since 1976. Dragon boating requires a combination of strength, synchronization, and tactical decision-making, with the drummer playing a crucial role in leading the paddlers and setting the pace.

Dragon boat racing

A standard dragon boat crew consists of 20-22 team members, including 18-20 paddlers, a drummer or caller, and a steerer or helm. The paddlers sit in pairs, facing forward, and use paddles to propel the boat through the water. The drummer leads the paddlers and sets the pace using a rhythmic drumbeat, while the steerer controls the direction of the boat using a long steering oar.

Today, dragon boat racing is a popular sport that is said to be the fastest-growing water sport in the world. It is a fun and adrenaline-pumping activity that requires teamwork, synchronization, and physical strength.

• The steerer or helm is responsible for the crew's safety and has the highest authority during the race. Their role is to navigate and steer the boat, as well as give commands to the crew.
• The drummer or caller sits at the bow of the boat and leads the paddlers with a rhythmic drumbeat. They may also issue commands and encourage the crew.
• Paddlers should grip the shaft of the paddle about 3 cm above the paddle area, with the inside hand gripping the handle on top.
• The blade of the paddle should just be touching the water at the start position.
• To stabilise the boat and reduce sideways rocking, paddlers can extend their blades out away from the boat.
• To reverse the boat, paddlers place their paddles behind them and wait for the sweep's command to push the blades forward in the water simultaneously.
• To stop the boat, paddlers can push the full blade of their paddle vertically into the water to prevent forward or backward motion.
• The pacers or strokes are the paddlers at the front of the boat who set the pace and synchronise their strokes.

Dragon boat construction

Constructing a dragon boat is no small feat. Traditionally, dragon boats were made from teak, a wood adept at handling moisture. The boats are kept out of the water for most of the year, and they shrink slightly when on dry land. However, when plunged back into the sea, the joints swell up, strengthening the boat and closing any gaps.

The process of building a dragon boat involves a big division of labour, with different craftsmen working on various parts. The keel in the centre forms the dragon's back, and the belly is W-shaped to suction onto the water and stabilise the boat. The ironwood stiffener is tied together with rattan ropes to keep the dragon ready to race.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

• Cardboard: You will need a lot of cardboard for this project. Look for large packing boxes at local furniture stores or hardware stores.
• Tape: Duct tape, Gorilla Tape, or Tyvek tape can be used for adhering the cardboard pieces together. Tyvek tape works especially well on cardboard that takes on moisture.
• Drywall Screws: These will be used as a construction aid, along with a drill.
• Utility Knife: Make sure to have plenty of spare blades.

Step 2: Design Your Boat

• Determine the theme of your boat. For example, you could choose a pirate ship, a Viking boat, or a Chinese dragon boat.
• Decide on the number of paddlers. This will impact the size and shape of your boat.
• Calculate the boat dimensions based on the number of paddlers and the spacing between them. Consider the width, length, and depth of the boat to ensure it will be stable and manoeuvrable.

Step 3: Build the Body

• Form the U-shaped hull section to create the base structure of the boat. Use cinder blocks or other supports to hold the sides of the "U" in place.
• Construct the front of the boat, including the top, centre rib, bottom, and sides. The top should taper towards the front, but avoid extending it to a point if you plan to extend the underside surface of the dragon's neck up to the head.
• Install the centre rib for structural rigidity and to hold the top surface in place.
• Add the bottom surface, overlapping with the underside of the boat and extending up to the nose. Trim it to match the profile of the top surface.
• Contour two pieces of cardboard to fit between the top and bottom pieces to close out the sides.
• Use zip ties to temporarily hold the pieces in place.
• Secure the pieces permanently with cardboard 'angle brackets' glued in place with liquid nails. Remove the zip ties once the glue is dry.

Step 4: Add the Head and Tail

• Sketch and cut out the profile of the dragon's neck, head, and tail. Temporarily secure them in place with zip ties and screws.
• Add internal ribs to the neck and head for rigidity.
• Apply the external 'skin' by securing it to the ribs.
• Create 'spikes' for the back of the neck and the tip of the tail by sketching and cutting out cardboard pieces that match the profile of the body. Add tabs to these pieces for attachment.

Step 5: Seal and Prime

• Cover all exposed cardboard edges with duct tape.
• Fill any holes left by screws or zip ties with caulk.
• Seal the entire boat with a latex primer to provide a uniform base for painting.

Step 6: Paint Your Dragon Boat

• Dragon boats are known for their ornate and colourful paint schemes. Consider using multiple bright colours and a dragon 'scale' design on the body of the boat.
• Use stencils to paint the scales, and apply the base colours first before painting the scales.
• Embellish the head with details such as flames, teeth, or other decorative elements.
• Don't forget to add a name to your dragon boat!

Once your dragon boat is complete, you'll need to figure out how to transport it to the water, as its size can make transportation a challenge.

Dragon boat positioning

The steersperson, also known as the helm or captain, is responsible for the crew's safety and has overriding authority. They stand at the rear of the boat and use a long oar to control the boat's direction and positioning. The steerer can call "paddles up" to prepare the paddlers and "take it away" to commence paddling. They may also call "hold the boat" to ask paddlers to brake and "let it ride" to lift their paddles out of the water.

The drummer or caller, positioned at the front of the boat facing the paddlers, leads the team during the race. They use a combination of hand signals and voice calls to direct the paddlers and maintain synchronization. The drummer's role is both tactical and ceremonial, and their drumbeats are considered the "heartbeat" of the dragon boat.

The paddlers, typically 18-20 people in a standard boat, sit in pairs facing forward towards the bow of the boat. The first pair of paddlers, known as "pacers", "strokes", or "timers", are responsible for setting the pace and synchronizing their strokes. All paddlers should grip the shaft of the paddle about 3cm above the paddle area, with their inside hand gripping the handle on top. The flat side of the paddle should rest on the water's surface, and the blade should just be touching the water. Extending the blade away from the boat helps stabilize it and reduces sideways rocking.

To reverse the boat, paddlers place their paddles behind them and wait for the sweep to call "Go", ensuring everyone starts the forward stroke simultaneously. To stop the boat, paddlers pull their paddles out of the water and push the full blade vertically into the water. This technique, also known as "Hold Water", is used when the boat needs to remain stationary, such as at the start line of a race.

Dragon boat paddling

Dragon boat racing is a popular sport with a long history, and it requires teamwork and technique. Here is a guide to dragon boat paddling.

The Team

Dragon boat racing is a team effort, with a large group of people, usually between 18 and 50, working together to sail the boat by paddling. The team's success depends on good coordination and balance. The team is led by a captain, who is in charge of the whole race, and a steersperson, who is responsible for the crew's safety and has a clear view to identify any obstructions in the water. A drummer sits at the front of the boat and controls it during practice or a race, working with the steersperson to bring the boat back into the dock. There are also two lead strokes, who are the first pair of paddlers in the boat, and they are responsible for setting the pace. The rest of the paddlers are known as the crew, and they are placed according to power and timing, with the strongest paddlers at the back.

The Boat

The boats used for dragon boat racing have a paddling arrangement, and they vary in size. There are small boats that can accommodate 10 paddlers, and bigger boats that can hold up to 40 people. The Hong Kong-style dragon boats are very low to the water, and the construction material is usually teak wood. Another type of boat used is the Taiwanese Ceremonial Boat, which has wide and heavy seats, and incorporates the head and tail of a dragon.

The Strokes

There are six basic elements to the stroke:

• Paddles Up: The paddle is a few inches above the water level, and the forward extension of the outside shoulder is dropped slightly.
• Catch: There is a slight pause before the paddle enters the water to set the timing. The paddle should enter at a 45-degree angle.
• Immerse: The paddle is driven into the water with both hands until it is 18 inches deep and anchors itself.
• Pull: The paddle is pulled back in a parallel direction to the boat, with the bottom arm and back muscles doing the work.
• Exit: The paddle exits the water at hip level.
• Recovery: The paddle is ready to be pushed again, giving the muscles a rest and helping to regain strength.

The Commands

The captain gives commands to the crew to keep them coordinated. Some of the most important are:

• Let it Run: Paddles are in a relaxed position, parallel over the water.
• Paddles Up: Paddles are above the water, ready to take a stroke.
• Take it Away: Start paddling.
• Check the Boat: Bring the boat to a full stop and hold it steady by placing the paddles in the water.
• Attention Please: A race command for paddles to be placed for the first stroke.
• Start: A set of quick and forceful strokes, usually at the start of a race, to propel the boat forward.

The Technique

Good paddling technique involves keeping the paddle vertical and minimizing excess movement to reduce the side-to-side rocking of the boat. Keep the paddle close to the side of the boat and recover it close to the water to reduce the cycle between strokes. Look forward and keep your head up to breathe and maintain the stroke pace. Grip the shaft about 10cm up from the blade, and fully submerge the blade before pulling it through the water. Keep your core tight, lock your bottom arm, and push with your legs for extra power.

Dragon boat steering

The steersperson should be standing, not sitting, to see where they are going, what the paddlers are doing, and to have complete control of the boat. Their feet should be at least shoulder-width apart, with the right foot placed slightly ahead of the left. This helps novice steerspeople get a feel for the balance of the boat. When the steersperson is more comfortable, they can try having their feet side by side.

The right hand (top hand) should be placed on the T-handle at the top of the steering oar, and the left hand (bottom hand) should be placed around the middle of the steering oar (around waist level). Some experienced steerspeople will only use one hand to steer, placing their left hand on the T-handle and resting their right hand at their side.

When turning the dragon boat, it is important to reduce the power of the boat by having the team paddle at 50%. This prevents oversteering and losing control of the boat. To make a left turn, the steering oar blade starts close to the tail of the boat and sweeps out away from the boat with the handle of the steering oar coming towards the steersperson. For a right turn, the steering oar blade starts away from the boat and pulls water towards the boat, with the handle of the steering oar pulling away from the steersperson. Sharp turns can be made by having the paddlers stop paddling and having one side paddle forward while the other paddles backward.

The steering oar can move left and right and should be positioned so that the T-handle is around chest level or 6-8 inches from the last seat in the boat. The U-bolt should be positioned one-third of the way up the steering oar to maintain proper leverage.

When docking, the steersperson should ensure the boat comes parallel to the dock by aiming the front of the boat at the docks and then paddle steering into the dock. The paddlers can help by moving the boat back and forward.

In an emergency (e.g. heart problems, heat stroke), it is the responsibility of the steersperson to inform race officials by stopping the boat and then flaring the boat (having the paddlers hold their paddles horizontally with flat blades resting on top of the water to stabilize the boat). The steersperson then stands straight up with their left arm straight up in the air with a closed fist.

Frequently asked questions