9 Dragon Boat-iquettes Every Paddler Should Observe
Posted on April 28, 2015 by eugephemisms
In dragon boating, as in life, it is essential for us paddlers to observe and be aware of the proper etiquettes of the sport. How
well one behaves and carries himself during a team practice, and especially in races, speaks of the paddler’s or even the team’s
character.
As we train hard to make up for a strong team, let’s also keep training ourselves towards achieving a certain decorum—the
basic foundation for a harmonious, respectful and happy dragon boat community.
We have carefully chosen some of the best letterings/typographies on Instagram and other websites to go with the ‘dragon
boat-iquettes’ that every dragon boater should know, observe, and, yes, live.
1. Be cheerful. Always wear a cheerful demeanor during races. That eye-blinding smile of yours may be used against your
competitor, no? One cheerful mood can be infectious at the race site–spread it. It’s always a good feeling to race ‘happy’.
2. Be friendly. Always greet your competitors. Say, ‘Good luck!’, ‘All the best!’, ‘Have a safe race!’, ‘Go (insert team
name)!’ Pump up the motivational atmosphere by giving compliments to your teammates and competitors as well. ‘Amazing
performance!’, ‘Well done!’, ‘Great timing!’, ‘Good race!’
3. Be generous. Share all your knowledge of the sport to the ‘newbies’. In situations where there are more paddlers, as opposed
to the crew needed for a certain race/category, let the new(er) paddlers play. It’s their time to shine, so your trust and support is
important to them. This has been a perennial issue for most teams, but a real respectable paddler shouldn’t grumble about such
things, they should be embracing it. That’s what true athletes are.
4. Be considerate. Offer to help hold the boat (your own or others’) if there’s a need or when the waves are crazy at the boat
loading zone. Offer to lend a hand for other dragon boaters (teammates or otherwise) who have difficulty standing or getting out
of the boat right after aheat. While it’s every paddler’s duty to take care of the team’s equipment, always help in lifting and
returning the boat, as well as your team paddles and life vests to where you store them. No divas and lazy a*ses please. In all
races, know where the First Aid/Medics tent and ambulance are located.
5. Be respectful. Just be. Mutual respect is essential amongst teammates and team officers. As a team officer, you need to be
impartial in fulfilling your duties and do not overstep your bounds. In carrying out team activities, don’t do everything by
yourself–administer inclusivity. For teams who are sharing a complex, always ask permission when you need to borrow other
team’s boats, rudders (sweep oar), trolleys, or drums. It’s also good manners to ask permission from your current team when
you want to paddle with other teams.
6. Be fair. Follow the Chief Starter’s instructions carefully and honestly. If he calls on your team to do one stroke forward, just
do one. For straight line races, strictly stay in the middle of your lane and don’t ride on the bow wave of your competitor. That’s
‘wash riding’ and it’s not allowed under IDBF regulations. The Umpires are watching you. Never ever cheat. After all, nothing
feels like winning a clean, fair game!
7. Be present. Show up during ‘team’ trainings. Don’t show face two weeks before your race. That’s not very cool. So long as
your schedule permits, Go! And please try to be on time. When you’re racing, stay with your team and try not to roam around
the race venue ALL the time.
8. Be polite. When there’s a need to protest or complain about a race or another team, go to your team manager first, then to the
race officials. Talk calmly and keep your composure at all times. It is always great to be admired for our sportsmanship, isn’t it?
9. Be mindful. Volunteer for any river, lake, or sea clean up activities in your area. As dragon boaters, we should be the
boosters in saving the waters because it’s our ‘playground.’ And hey, let’s please clean up our space after each race. It’s not that
hard, really!
Dragon Boat Charleston ALWAYS
OBSERVES Dragon Boat-iquettes?
It is who we are and what we
embrace!