Info for New Paddlers
Flamin’ Dragons Welcome Pack
“Unlocking the World of Dragon Boating”
Our Vision:
WELCOME ABOARD:
Our Governing Body is Dragon Boats New South Wales (DBNSW) supporting all NSW clubs. You need to pay an annual fee to DBNSW which also covers your insurance-see below.
Our Website: flamindragonsportmacquarie.org.au
Facebook:
Flamin’ Dragons Port Macquarie – only nominated admin can post but all members can join.
Flamin’ Paddlers Port Macquarie – All members can post photos.
Now you have joined our wonderful club you will receive an email from the secretary with your username and password. You will then be able to access all of the information contained on the website. Please keep note of both your username and password so that they won’t need to be resent. You will also need to join DBNSW annually and will create a login and password when you join.
The website provides:
- The weekly paddling register – You need to nominate for the training sessions you are attending. Please complete this at least 1 day prior as the coaches fill the boats according to those attending.
- Upcoming regattas and social events – You can nominate to attend all of the events listed. These are regularly updated during the year.
- Come ‘n try days, events, Our Flamin’ regatta, About us, Crew News, Photos and more – You may like to encourage friends, acquaintances and work colleagues to join now you are a member.
- Forms, Policies and Procedures – It is worth having a look at these once you have settled into the club as they explain some of the finer points of paddling and why some decisions are made in relation to regattas and attendance.
Please acquaint yourself and become familiar with our website.
Emails: You will receive regular emails with more detailed information about “WHAT’S HAPPENING”. Please ensure you read and keep abreast of these otherwise you may miss important information.
NEW MEMBERS:
- Are required to be able to swim 50m in paddling clothes. If you are not a confident swimmer, please wear a life vest when in the boat. You are able to borrow one from our equipment store.
- Receive a Flamin’ Dragons hat and welcome pack when joining.
- Will be required to purchase a Flamin’ Dragons uniform shirt in order to participate in regattas and team events or displays. These can be purchased by emailing Gail Carter- Uniform coordinator.
- Can borrow a paddle until you are comfortable with the size you need and want to buy your own. We often have 2nd hand paddles for sale either in the shed or on the Flamin’ paddlers Facebook page. After you have been paddling for a while it’s great to get used to your own paddle.
Member requirements:
- Sign up on the website for training during the week at least 1 day in advance preferably. (If you are unable to attend after registering, please remove your name by clicking on the person symbol on your user profile, top right, and scroll to the bottom of the page where you can remove the session. Please message the coach if you’re going to be late. The coach’s number is on the paddling list.)
- Sign on the participation register in the shed before paddling. Keys and other items are locked inside when paddling.
- Attend the warmup session prior to paddling.
- Help to transport the boat and enter/exit the water.
- Listen to and follow ALL sweeps instructions immediately (for safety).
- Listen to and follow the coach’s instructions. ONLY the COACH can instruct paddlers on technique in the boat as they are our experts.
- Safety essentials: Know your seat in the boat, remember who your buddy is, know the safety drill, (which the sweep will remind you of) in case of capsizing.
- Any illness, accident or injury please advise the coach.
- Assist with washing the boat before it’s returned to the shed.
- Return borrowed equipment to the correct location in the equipment room.
Always be mindful that everyone is volunteering their time and energy to make our club the best on the mid north coast.
What we provide to members:
- Dragon Boats
- Paddles to borrow on paddling days
- Buoyancy Vests – Must be worn if you are unable to swim 50m in paddling clothes
- Race calendar – in the shed and on the website
- Training sessions:
-Saturday morning at 7.00am for all paddlers. A and B boats. (7.30am Winter)
-Sunday morning at 7.00am for regatta training. (7.30am Winter)
-Tuesday morning at 6.30am for intermediate and experienced paddlers
-Wednesday evening at 5.00pm for regatta team training (4.30pm post Daylight
-Saving Time (DST).
-Thursday evening at 5.00pm for land exercises/paddling – (during DST)
- A Uniform co-ordinator who takes the problem out of accessing uniforms.
- Paddling for corporate, social and school teams.
- Support for members wanting to train as coaches, sweeps and drummers.
- A social committee in charge of events and get togethers… join in, we have a lot of fun!
Annual Fees: the FY2025 annual fee is $200.00 which is paid to the Flamin’ Dragons Bank Account listed below. This fee entitles you to paddle in as many weekly sessions as you would like. The fees also enable the club to pay rent to the marina, undertake maintenance on boats and equipment, provide the general running costs of the club and the purchase of new equipment as we expand. (If joining the club later in the year a pro-rata payment is made depending on the month)
DBNSW requires a payment of $130.00 (FY2025 Adult registration) to be paid annually to cover insurances and costs.
When members join later in the year the fees are applied from the month of joining to the same month the following year.
Regatta Fees: These are paid separately for each individual regatta. A reminder email will be sent requesting the required fee which should be paid into the Flamin’ Dragons Bank account immediately.
Flamin Bank Account Details:
Bank Account Name: Flamin’ Dragons
Branch: Westpac Port Macquarie
BSB: 032 586
Account number: 226125
FDPM Board: The board is elected at the annual AGM in August each year. All positions are voluntary. Although voluntary, the commitment and dedication from the board is exceptional in our club, and it’s wonderful to have people leading us who care so much, not only about our club, but about the sport of Dragon Boating.
EXTRA IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Positions
President – Phil Higgins Vice President – Elaine Hendriks
Secretary – Beth Madgwick Treasurer – Gail Carter
General Members – Louisa Wellings, Jenny Higgins, Fiona Witts
Club Captain – Fiona Witts
Head Coach: Jenny Higgins and David Pees
Coaches: Lyn Elliot, Yvonne Cooper, Phil Higgins, Fiona Witts, Trainee – Tony Harrison
Uniforms – Gail Carter; email gailc07@gmail.com
Welfare Officer – Sandra Metcalf
Social Committee – Melanie Duck, Jenelle Adair, Fiona Witts, Louisa Wellings
Fund Raising Committee – Merche Benson, Jenny Higgins, Beth Madgwick
New Paddler Information Officers – Louisa Wellings, Beth Madgwick, Peter Friend
Paddlers: There are 20 seats in the boat. The seat you are allocated by the coach when training or during regattas often relates to your size/experience. Often the bigger paddlers are put in the engine room (centre of the boat) and lighter paddlers at the stroke end (front) or outboard motor end (back) of the boat. Every position on the boat is important and contributes to the power of the boat and how it moves through the water. Balancing the weights on both sides of the boat is equally important so that the boat moves effectively and efficiently.
Sweep: The sweep steers the boat and is our eyes and ears on the water. They are in charge of our safety and the boat, so must be strictly listened to at all times. The sweep is in charge of the boat during training, racing and in an emergency. The sweep’s calls must be actioned immediately by ALL PADDLERS. Steering the boat is not easy and therefore sweeps need to be trained and have experience before taking on regattas. They need to be able to steer in a straight line, avoid collisions, maintain the boat on choppy water, balance the boat and stop quickly in an emergency. The sweeps have some standard calls paddlers must be familiar with:
- ‘slow the boat’ paddlers use their paddles to slow the boat’s momentum
- ‘stop the boat’ paddlers push their paddles further into the water to stop the boat
- ‘paddles up’ paddlers hold their paddles up until given the signal to paddle
- ‘paddles behind’ paddles are used when the boat is going backward
- ‘paddles flat’ to balance the boat on choppy water or when changing seats
- ‘hold the boat’ paddles blades are kept in the water adjacent to the boat so it doesn’t drift
- ‘draw water’ paddlers on one side of the boat draw water to bring it into a wharf or pontoon.
Drummer: The drummer is generally only used in regattas to keep the timing and pace of the strokes. The drummer needs to keep the rhythm, relay instructions from the sweep and use a loud voice to encourage the team. In the event of a capsize the drummer is second in charge to the sweep.
Reserves: Every race team needs reserves, and although reserves may not paddle, they are an integral and important part of the team. Every Flamin’ paddler will be allocated a reserve position at some time and it is vital they are present and available before the race.
Training: Attending training enhances your experience and skill building. There is much to learn and as you train, so you improve. The coaches will, at times, correct your technique or point out a way you can improve. This is done to ensure you receive the opportunity to become a proficient paddler and with your very best interest in mind. Each time you improve just one aspect of your technique it improves your paddling experience.
REGATTAS
So much fun is had at the wonderful array of local, regional and representative regattas available to paddlers in the FDPM club. Speak to your coach when you feel you would like to participate in regattas and they will guide you about your readiness to attend. When you are ready, register your availability and interest in ‘Regattas/Social Events’ on our FDPM website.
A team manager and head coaches are assigned to each regatta to organise teams and ensure all paddlers know what is required of them on the day. All paddlers will be allocated seats in various crews and at times will need to be reserve or sit one out. However, it’s a team approach at Flamin’ so it’s important to still be there to cheer your team on from the shore. Many members car-pool and share accommodation to reduce costs. Details relating to this is organised prior to the regattas. These days are FUN, FUN, FUN!
Regatta selection – See Club forms/policies and procedures on the website.
BEYOND CLUB PADDLING
There are opportunities for paddlers who want to progress beyond the club to Regional, State and Australian representative teams. This includes training with members of selected teams and travelling to wonderful locations to experience and compete in the fabulous sport of Dragon Boating. Once you have been paddling for a while, opportunity to join these teams will become available.
SOCIAL EVENTS/FUNDRAISING
We are a very social club and love an excuse to get together and have fun. There is always coffee/breakfast every paddling morning at Sea Salt Café for you to join in. We also have various events and dress up occasions throughout the year, including Chinese New Year in Darling Harbour and the Christmas Party and more. Please feel free to get involved and you will be welcomed with open arms.
We contribute to our club by volunteering our time as part of some fundraising activities and events. These may include the Port Macquarie Run Fest and the Iron Man, as well as others. This helps raise funds for the club, and the activities are also team building opportunities where you form friendships and get to know people.
MAINTENANCE
As a club we share the task of maintaining the boat shed, the dragon boats and equipment. You will be notified when we are having a maintenance morning/ day and your commitment and assistance will be greatly appreciated.
IMPROVING YOUR TECHNIQUE:
Timing is a crucial part of being in a dragon boat team. Paddlers must synchronise their strokes to achieve maximum efficiency and speed. Watch the paddler in front of you closely and when their paddle enters the water so should yours. All paddlers should strive for uniformity and teamwork.
Technique- below is an example which may help you understand the paddling style required, however following the coach’s advice and watching the strokes and technique of experienced paddlers will help you get into the correct position and stroke with the paddle. It takes some time to perfect the technique and it’s important to concentrate and improve on one aspect at a time. Learn during each practice session and take the advice our coaches give to you as some positive help to improve, rather than criticism. We have all been in your shoes and are here to help and encourage you.
Finally, we hope you enjoy being part of our energetic, positive club. Don’t ever hesitate to have a chat with anyone in the team in order to get to know people, to get involved in everything we are doing and ask questions to clarify your understanding. A big congratulations to you and we’re sure you’ll love Flamin’ Dragons Port Macquarie as much as we do.