Dragonboat Technique: DragonMax Demonstrates Smooth Stroke

[sydneydragonblades]

Pulling that far back and at such a slow pace inevitably caps the max speed the boat will ever reach because the paddles become brakes at the back of the stroke relative to the motion of the boat.

TO each individual paddler it will feel productive because the muscles, especially the arms have to work so hard, but I wouldn't see it as the best way to move a boat or the best way of getting it moving efficiently.

[tokbomoh22]

awesome learning strokes for long distance races. its slightly different for shorter distance sprint races like 200m - 300m. but i think its a good basic tecnhique to let the torso and the back get used to the twisting motions rather than the biceps doing all the work. keep it up! would love to see your newer race strokes.

-cheers from singapore.

[MARKCHAOS]

we dont do this kind of paddling the hip and spine extension is good but we dont bend our pulling arm its the shoulder that rotates after the paddle exits the water and we dont do monkey grip on our pulling arm

[LaMaLaRf]

Ik zit er op en heb mee gedaan aan het NK 2009

[geoffr25]

Overall it's a good technique for the new paddler to learn. The positive move forward and the reach is great since most 'new' men haven't a clue on this and sit there with a washing machine action. The stroke needs to be shorter though as the paddle is doing negative work drawn that far back. However, wish our crew all paddled as well as this team!!

[RodgerRafter]

This is what we were doing 3 years ago, and I think it is a pretty good stroke for newer teams or teams paddling longer distances in a boat that supports good leg drive.

The stroke we use now in the international standard racing boats is shorter and involves a more balanced and powerful rotation down on the blade. Eventually I may do a video clip for that, but you can see it in some of the more recent videos I've put up.

[geoffr25]

Thanks for that. We're a new team on the NSW mid north coast in Aus and have been paddling for a year. Very mixed abilities and an older age group. We race and enjoy it but we're a the start of our abilities so every bit of advice is good. Thanks.

[kngfsh256]

you need to keep a positive angle on the elbow articulation when drawing perpendicular to the plane of the boat trajectory, otherwise you're pushing negatively against the positional indices you are trying to maximize

[zero1923]

TOO MUCH MATH TERMS

[Zendog500]

As a former rower, converted to DB paddler, driving the catch is important in both sports. In DB drive WITH an angle to lift the boat, lighter boat with less wet area means horizontal portion of the pull in more effective. We practice the D stroke means no bending of the outside elbow. Why faster recovery for the catch. See you at the races to see which method is better

[synthtrance]

Too much elbow bending here to really use as race stroke - unless you're conditioned like crazy to pull that off for entire 500m. As someone mentioned, exit at the hips by curling and flicking your bottom wrist to keep the elbow straight. This would be a more efficient stroke that can be developed for races.

[ashhollick]

Nice technique, i believe it is best when the paddle is pulled outjust before it reaches the hip. The paddle should go in on a slight angle and that catch is where u get alot of the power. Each person is different though and some twist more than they reach and some reach more than they twist.

[atimboy]

dude took this sport up 2months ago tried your technique with the help of fellow paddling advice worked a treat done my first regatta ....i am addicted still a long way to go but my coach said i have perfect rotation thanks to your vid....told him bout dragonmax he loved it saved him a heap of work CHEERS mate

[nakamichi680zx]

Good instructional Vid. Totally agree with popitypop: The blades are leaving the water too negatively and the effort is wasted. Exit more at knee to mid thigh when the blade starts to go negative. But do not agree completely with it going in perpendicular because the amount of water is not enough on a strong pull unless you can reach forward and bury the blade, so I do like your entry instructions. Would love your response to this comment.

[RodgerRafter]

With this stroke we get more out of our top arm by driving down and back at that negative angle late in the stroke.

I agree that it isn't the most effective or powerful stroke for 500m dragonboat races, but I think it is great for involving more muscle groups and getting a good overall workout. I still use and promote it during our aerobic off-season practices.

Some day I'll get around to doing a video on the stroke techniques we've been using more recently during racing season.

[mtalley28]

This is awesome...thanks for sharing!! Go dragonboat!

[popitypop]

should reduce the the pulling at negative angle, coz when u pull negative angle ur attempting to push th boat upwards or otherwise would not be pulling effecient ly anw, so u might as well keep ur strokes shorter, recover faster and save ur energy for subsequent more effecient strokes... and the angle of paddle at entry should be closer to being perpendicular to the water surface, so that the paddle can cut in most effeciently..

[gr8wallofchina]

oh cool i didnt know DragonMax is in BerkeleyXD. i paddle on Lowell High School's team in SF. maybe i'll see u guys at Treasure Island.

[andreazeni]

w dragonboat, i love it

[kings2099]

are you guys competing anywhere?

[wnabs01]

Great Vid!

Are there trining vids like this available anywhere?

[RodgerRafter]

Not that I'm aware of. I'm planning on making a much more thorough DVD, hopefully by the start of next season.

[DBTVUSA]

Looking for great technical training. Please upload your video so our viewers can see. Great job.

The Dragon Boat Channel

[gr8wallofchina]

Hey, just had to comment. this is a great technique video!

[RodgerRafter]

DragonMax is based in Berkeley, California, USA.

Google Dragonmax to find our website.

Check the "More from this user" link to see recent racing video.

[dragginboot]

RR, where is your team based?

[psychoXbabe]

my dad has a dragon boat team

[bulbangs]

i love dragonboat !!!

[gingersnaps1969]

great video.

[AhanB]

JOIN DRAGONBOAT!! its a great sea sport!