Commands/Responsibilities

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Dictionary of Paddling Commands

Attention please	Race official’s warning that race start is imminent.
Back half	Normally, last 5 seats unless otherwise designated.
BACK IT DOWN	Paddle backwards.
BRACE THE BOAT	All paddlers place blades on surface of the water to stabilize the boat. Usually used when paddlers change positions in the boat.
CATERPILLAR	Uneven timing, not in time with the strokes.
CHECK THE BOAT	Put on the brakes. ALL paddlers jam their paddles into the water at 90 degrees and holds it there until the boat stops.
DRAW	Pull at a 90 degree angle in to the side of the boat. Call will be "Right/left side draw" or "Right/left front/back draw"
DRUMMER	Designated crew member who sits at the front of the boat and drums during races.
EVENS	Paddlers sitting in even numbered seats.
FINISH IT NOW	Drummer calls for final all-out effort to end the race.
FRONT HALF	Normally, first 5 seats unless otherwise designated
HOLD THE BOAT	Same as ‘Check the boat’. We prefer ‘check the boat’ because ‘hold the boat’ sounds too much like ‘whole boat’.
LET ‘ER RUN	Music to the ears. Stop paddling and relax.
ODDS	Paddlers sitting in odd numbered seats.
PADDLE EASY	Paddle at 50% or less. Does not mean stop.
PADDLES UP	Paddles in the water, blades fully buried, paddlers are ready to paddle.
POWER TEN	Ten powerful strokes, in perfect time.
PRY	Opposite to draw, a 90 degree push away from the side of the boat.
STEERER	Person at the back of the boat using the long steering oar.
STROKE	ROTATE	Turn the torso to maximize reach
	REACH	Stretch out before blade is placed in catch position.
	CATCH	Fully buried blade catches the water at the front of the stroke
	PULL	Blade is pulled vertically through the water
	EXIT	Paddle leaves the water, quickly and cleanly
	RECOVERY	Paddle snaps forward in position for next stroke
TAKE IT AWAY	Begin paddling.
TIME IT UP	Ensure that everyone is paddling in time.
WHOLE BOAT	Every one in the boat does whatever is called for.

ron

Responsibilities of the
Steersperson, Drummer and Stroke
by:Ron MacDonald.

	*Drummer:* Drummers control the boat. If the drummer says something, the team must be conditioned to respond as a unit. The only exception to this is that the Steersperson can take over the boat at any time for safety reasons. The drummer keeps the crew motivated. The toughest job for the drummer is learning what excites and calms the crew, then using each when appropriate. In some cases a good drummer will know this for each paddler. It is essential that the drummer attend as many practices as possible to learn all they can about the team and each individual paddler. This helps significantly on race day.
	*Steersperson:* The Steersperson is the person responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat. It is their job to ensure all safety equipment is on the boat and the boat is sea worthy. At any time the Steersperson can take control of the boat for Safety reasons. This applies to both Drummer and Coach. The crew must be absolutely clear on this fact.
	*Stroke:* First two paddlers in the boat, who set the stroke rate.

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