Who

The Sweep

...is the person standing on the back of the boat steering the team to victory. This person has a massive responsibility, not only do they have to keep a rampaging wooden boat full of paddlers going straight down the course, but they are also the 'safety' person on the boat. The sweep is one of the most important parts of the team and we always need more. If you want to learn to sweep, we have a training programme in place, you just need a willing attitude, good balance and your sea legs.

The Drummer

...is the person who keeps the team in time. It's an integral part of a Dragon Boat win, as timing and technique are the key to a fast boat. The drummer is usually loud and energetic. In New Zealand they don't actually have drums so they rely on other methods, such as visual aids, vocal talent or other props to help them keep those paddle going in and out of the water like a steam train.

The Coach

...is essential for getting the team to work on the two most important factors in Dragon Boating: timing and technique. The coach is going to be the person who pulls everyone into line and gets them to work as a team, no easy feat when there are 20 paddlers in the boat. A coach really is a good teacher, it is important that this person knows how to impart knowledge in many different ways so they can connect with all the different members of the team. A coach is not necessarily someone who has paddled for many years, so if you have coaching experience and want to learn about Dragon Boating with the aim of coaching a team, email us.

The Paddlers

...without whom the others would be out of a job. The bones of the team are made up of the 20 paddlers in the boat and the few reserves on land cheering them on. To be a paddler you just need to be keen and like having fun - how easy is that!