This will be my first experience joining the dragon boat competition after about 7 months of training with my team. I have been assigned to several position as a paddler, be it at the center as an 'Engine', at the front line as a 'Pacer' and lastly, change to the back as a back paddler. So during the competition, I will be at the back position, and a back up for pacer in case there is a need to do so.
Well, there is some criteria on how the paddlers is being positioned on the boat. Weight and strength of paddles must be taken into consideration:
The front six paddlers set the pace and should be reserved for paddlers with good long paddling strokes. The rest of the boat needs something visual to follow. The rest of the boat will have short choppy stroke if the front has short choppy strokes.
The middle eight or the "engine room" is usually reserved for the heavier, stronger paddlers. During the middle of the race the engine room dictates the pace. The stroke rate of the crew is usually determine by the engine room. The stroke rate is not too fast as long as the big engine room paddlers can twist and reach. Once the engine room paddlers start shortening up on their stroke, you know the pace is getting too fast.
The back six paddlers of the boat should have the strongest people in the boat. It is not uncommon for a novice crew to setup the boat with weaker paddlers who get out of stroke. For an intermediate crew or an advanced crew this would be a missed opportunity. A series which is a sequence of more powerful strokes meant to advance the boat and is initiated by the back six paddlers and ripples to the front of the boat.
Reference: http://blog.paddlingcoach.com/dragon-boat-setting-up-crew-positions
So, memandangkan sia nih back paddlers, maka paham paham sajalah.... keke
2 comments:
duii..napa kunun kalau ko back paddlers? perasaan la kunun 'strong'..nanti ko balik sini cuba ko pi tarik tu karabau kalau ko dapat..
aiseh...kuat pula kau ni...kurang pilihan ba tu..wakaka nda ba...mesti siok tu kan buat benda baru...hmmmm..hehe
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