Physical Requirements

Paddling is a full body workout. Please let your coaches know if there are any injuries we should be aware of. We encourage people switch sides of the boat every other practice, but some can only paddle on one side and that is ok. Please keep us up to date, you might be surprised at what we can accommodate!

You do not need to do anything fancy to physically prepare to get out on the boat. However, any form of exercise will help. Especially at the start of the season and after a long winter, we don’t want to overwhelm you. Even a daily walking routine will help. Please feel free to reach out to the club should you like some more ideas.

And don’t worry, we’ll start you gradually. No marathons just yet!

Stretching. We highly recommend staying for a few minutes after we get off the water to stretch. It will help with keeping your body free from injuries in the future.

Now for the fun stuff!

What to Bring/Wear

1. Clothes that can get wet. You WILL get wet, at least a little.
2. Wool is your best friend on colder or wet days. Cotton is not. Try not to wear cotton if you can.
3. Water
4. Sunscreen
5. Hat
6. A great attitude
7. Water
8. Water shoes with a nice sturdy sole
9. Life jacket (optional, the club will provide if you do not have one)
10. A dry set of clothes and towel just in case
11. Water (have we mentioned water yet?)

Club Equipment

The club has paddles and PFDs/lifejackets to use. You do not have to use ours, you’re more than welcome to use your own. Once you fall in love with paddling, we can point you in the right direction to order a paddle if you’d like your own.

All club equipment is to be returned to the clubhouse after practice.

Look after the club equipment! It costs the club every time we need to replace something, which means less money for fun things.

What, Where, When

Practices are held at Katy’s Cove (with the exception of some dry land practices, which will be advertised in TeamSnap). We keep our stuff in a room in the clubhouse there. The clubhouse is locked when not in use or we’re out on the water, so you can leave your things in there if needed. We will give you the combination verbally.

Practices are Monday and Wednesday from 18:00-19:30, and Saturdays from 10:30-12:00.

We will be on the water for an hour, with an on-land warm up stretch and cool down stretch. This is for your benefit.

Be on time or early. Practices start right on time, if you arrive at 18:05 you’re late. Please respect your teammates and coaches by making sure you’re there when we start.

Take ownership. This is a community: get involved. We need you!

When you arrive, please help get the boats out, cleaned, bailed, etc. The steering oar and throw bags need to come down to the boat. And remember, these things all need to be done at the end of practice as well! If you’re not sure what to do, just ask. Many hands make light work!

Help your teammates into and out of the boat if they need it. Not everyone is super mobile, and everyone can use a little help once in a while.

TeamSnap

Team what? TeamSnap is the system/app we use for membership forms, to keep track of events, and who is coming to what. It is also how we communicate with the club. There is a messenger service as well as a way to email everyone. The app is free on your app store.

Once we have your membership waiver/form we will send you a link to set up an account. If you already have an account under the SAPC you’re good. We can also set you up with just your email but we will need the waiver ASAP.

You must go under “optional player details” and hit “show all”. These are not optional; it’s just how the system is set up. Sorry! The information is important for us to know. Please include it. If you have any problems please ask for help.

You can access TeamSnap via a computer (best way to see any files), or through an app (only way to use the dedicated messenger service). Some people use both, some only one. It’s up to you.

You must sign up for practices via TeamSnap. Sign up closes exactly 24 hours before the start of practice. If you need to cancel, please do so ASAP. There’s a lot of volunteer time going into lining up the boat and setting up the practice. We understand that life likes to throw punches, however, please be respectful of the time and effort the coaches put into a practice by keeping them informed if something comes up.

Also, a reminder that the club is on both Facebook and Instagram under the Saint Andrews Paddling Club.

The Boat

The boat seats 20 paddlers (2 per seat), a drummer, and a steersperson.

The drum seat is at the very front, you’ll most likely see the coaches up there for practices. The Drummer sets the rhythm of the crew’s timing with a drum. They also work alongside the steersperson to carry out a race plan.

The Strokes are the first 2 paddlers in seat 1. They, along with the drummer, set the stroke rate for the whole team. These 2 are responsible for setting a consistent, rhythmic rate.

Next are the Fronts. They need to be able to follow the strokes exactly.

After that we have the Middles aka the Engines. This is where our power houses are.

And then our Backs aka the Turbo. For anyone starting late, they will end up here so they can figure out the stroke without interfering with the rest of the boat. But don’t be fooled! This is not our catch all for those who aren’t good enough. Far from it!! This is where we want our quick and technically skilled paddlers. The water at the back of the boat is already moving and as such it makes timing harder, so we need good people back there.

Last but far from least is our Steersperson. The Steersperson steers the boat. Didn’t see that coming did you? They also encourage the paddlers, especially during a race. When the Steersperson is at the oar, they are in charge of the boat. If they throw out a command, it trumps any command from the coach. We can’t stress this enough, if we don’t have a steersperson we cannot paddle!!! Everyone who is capable will be expected to try steering at some point. It’s easy to take this position for granted. Remember, our steerers want to paddle too, so having many gives everyone a chance. We will be running steering clinics throughout the season.

That brings us to…

Commands/Terms

Club Captain – A member of the club who is your liaison with the board and/or coaches should you have any issues or
concerns. They are also integral to our festival attendance!
Paddle – What you use to move the boat forward.
Oar – What the steersperson uses to steer the boat.
“Paddles up” – Get in your A-Frame set up.
“Ready, Ready” – Used for races to signal getting your paddle in the water before the starting horn.
“Take it away” – Begin paddling. Comes after “paddles up.”
“Let it run” – Stop paddling and let the boat coast.
“Hold the boat” – Place paddles in the water perpendicular to the boat to stop the boat from moving forward.
“Hold hard” – Quickly and forcefully hold the boat. Instead of holding the paddles in the water like the “hold”
command, apply force against the paddle, pushing it forward to make the boat stop.
“Back it down” – Paddle backwards.
“Draw” (left or right) – Place paddle out and parallel with the boat, and draw water towards you and under the boat.
This helps to move the boat left or right. The steerer will call on which side and section(s) of the boat they want to draw.
“Pry” (left or right) – The opposite of draw. Place paddle next to and parallel with the boat, and push water away from
you.
“Quiet in the boat” – The coach or steersperson needs to say something, so all chatter must stop immediately.

Code of Conduct

1. We are all ambassadors and teammates for the Saint Andrews Paddling Club and will maintain high standards of
   moral and ethical conduct.
2. BE NICE! This is an inclusive, welcoming club. Everyone is welcome unless they can’t abide by this rule. Everyone
   running things is a volunteer and here because we want to be. We are not infallible, we are not the Gods of
   Dragon Boating, please treat your Board and especially your coaches with respect and gratitude.
3. Be nice. Seriously…
4. We treat others with respect and dignity in support of their dignity and well being, and expect to be treated
   likewise in return.
5. We recognize that verbal or physical behaviour that constitutes harassment or abuse is unacceptable. Incidents
   of harassment will be handled according to the Dragon Boat Canada Harassment definitions and protocol. (See
   the DBC website).
6. Respect other paddlers regardless of their skills or experience.
7. We demonstrate a high level of SPORTSMANSHIP, and the generally accepted standards of fair play.
8. We refrain from using profane, insulting, or otherwise offensive language.
9. We control our tempers, and refrain from abusive behaviour toward others, whether or not they are members
   of our club.
10. We play by the rules.
11. We respect the people who have taken on positions of responsibility in the club, including coaches, captain,
    board members, and assigned leaders. Remember they are all volunteers working toward the success of the
    club.
12. We do not possess or use any illegal drugs during any activity associated with SAPC.

Safety

1. Every paddler must wear a properly fitted PFD, which is fully and securely done up, at all times when on the water.
2. Do not board or disembark the boat until told to by the Steersperson. This keeps the boat from capsizing.
3. The steersperson has ultimate control of the boat. If they give a command, it trumps whatever you’re doing. Do not try to “help” the steersperson unless they ask you to. They know where they want the boat to go, you don’t. Taking it upon yourself to paddle or direct the boat without their command can make it very difficult for them to steer.
4. Keep your hips to the gunwale unless asked to move.
5. Do not move unless asked.
6. If you’re not paddling, bring your paddle completely into the boat and move your body with the boat to stay out of the way of those around you.
7. The person you’re sitting with is your buddy should the boat capsize (highly unlikely, but not impossible).
8. Should someone fall out of the boat DO NOT try to catch or go in after them. STAY CALM and follow instructions from the coach and/or steersperson.
9. If you should fall in, stay calm. Your PFD is there for a reason. The coach and/or steersperson will direct you.
10. Fill out the Par-Q. The club needs to be aware of any relevant health issues. It does not mean you can’t paddle.
11. No coaching in the boat. Unless you’re a certified coach with the club, you will not be coaching in the boat. If there is a question, you can direct it to the coach.
12. There is a first aid kit in the club house. All of our coaches are certified in first aid.
13. It may be last on the list but it is important. No talking in the boat. It is very hard to hear the coach or steersperson over everyone else. If a coach or steersperson is talking, please keep comments and side discussions to yourself. The coach will make it clear when chatting is appropriate. If you have a question, please ask the coach rather than other paddlers. If you’re wondering something, chances are that other paddlers are as well, so asking helps everyone! It also lets the coaches know if there is something they need to address.

Should you have any concerns or questions at any time the coaches and the club captain are there to talk. We would
rather address things ASAP then let them fester and become issues. We can’t help unless we know about it.
Positive energy makes more positive energy! This is YOUR club, we can’t run it without you.

The most important take away is to have fun and enjoy yourself!! You’re going to love it!