Dragonboat... What's That Again?

Introduction

"GIVE ME MORE! COME ON HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT IT?" Your drummer yells off the top of his/her lungs, voice cracking with each word.

Hey guys! I've been paddling on a dragon boat team for two years, so I'm far from professional. However, I've fallen in love with the sport of dragon boat and I think many people out there would too.  I'd like to inform you about some of the false myths of this sport and how it really works.

The Boat

It would be silly to talk about a sport without acknowledging the players, now wouldn't it?

A traditional dragon boat consists of 10 rows, 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steers person.

The drummer shouts commands (Ex. Power up)  and encouragement. The steers person, well, keeps you from doing 360's while everybody dusts you.

Paddlers themselves are organized into sections, based on their strengths and body types.

Front

The smaller tinier people that can squeeze into the rows up front. They set the rate (how fast everyone else on the boat takes a stroke-we'll get into that later- and keep the boat from looking like a caterpillar. Seriously, google "dragon boat caterpillar" and you will not regret it).

The Middle

Also known as "the engine", the meaty machines of the boat get as much space as they need in these spacey rows, moving and cranking their big bodies to make the boat fly forward. Now, this doesn't mean they are the only ones moving the boat, but they are most of the manpower on it. Some of these guys(or girls, dragon boat has no gender) have arms with bigger circumferences than your head.

The Back 

This area is what us teams on the west coast like to call "the rocket". And it makes sense, as paddlers back here have the same purpose as a rocket. To boost the boat forward. They dig into deep water that nobody else has gotten to and give the boat an even bigger edge. Many times ignored but very crucial, teams with knowledgeable coaches will focus on their rocket as much as the engine.

Sorry to end it short here, but I'd be really disappointed to make a post with no views. If you guys happen to enjoy this, upvote it and I'll make a part two. Or message me. I'm not sure how it works on this site.