Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society Operational Guidelines

[Revised: January 2024]

 PADDLERS’ GUIDELINES

1. COACHING

• The Head Coach will have the authority to hire an Assistant Coach with the approval of the Executive Committee.

• The Coaches are expected to provide constructive feedback to team members.

2. TRAINING

• The Team Manual is available on the NDPS website covering expectations, commitment, training and paddling technique for all paddlers to access. 

• New paddlers will receive coaching from the Coach/Captain or delegate. 

• Team members with an interest in coaching may be involved in training new paddlers under the direction of the Coach/Captain. 

• Dryland training will be held once a week from October to the end of March. 

• The Executive Committee has the authority to hire a trainer to develop a program to improve the members’ strength and cardiovascular fitness. 

• Yoga is encouraged. 

• Members to train as drummers and/or Steerspersons will be identified by the Coach, Captain or Assistant Captain.  A training program, funded by the team, will be offered to those selected.

3. CAPTAIN’S POSITION

• The Captain and Assistant Captain(s) may be nominated and will be selected at the AGM.  

• Responsibilities of the Captain and/or Assistant Captain(s) will include: 

• General crew management 

• Liaison with the Coach on behalf of the team.

4. TEAM MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT MANAGERS

• Alumni Paddle Manager - Responsible for overseeing the Alumni Paddle group and providing updates and statistics to the executive.

• Boat Booking Manager - Responsible for the coordination and support of team-offered public dragon boat experiences or corporate team-building outings. 

• Boat Manager - Responsible for the setup, take out, and return of the safety boat and dragon boats for training or other use.

• Boat Maintenance Manager - Responsible for the upkeep and repair of the safety boat and dragon boats.

• Communications Manager - Responsible for the upkeep of the website, media liaison and press releases, videos/photos (team group and individual photos), and operation of the team’s social media channels. 

• Equipment Manager - Responsible for the upkeep, repair and transport of boat and race equipment.    

• Fundraising Manager - Responsible for fundraising events which may include, and is not limited to, bottle returns,  yard sales, clothing drives, and store incentive discounts. 

• Recreational Membership Manager - Responsible for communication with interested and new recreational members until they are fully onboarded. 

• Safety Manager - Responsible for the upkeep of our on-water safety plan, AED device, practices and protocols, and operation of an annual boat-flip event. 

• Social Manager - Responsible for annual events that promote team camaraderie: summer BBQ, start-up breakfast, Christmas gathering. Includes Saturday coffee morning. 

• Sunshine Manager - Responsible for coordinating team-signed cards, gifts or other, for bereavement, illness, special moments, and goodbyes. 

• Uniform Manager - Responsible for ordering and issuing team uniforms, other logo wear and PFDs.

5. SEATING POSITION IN THE DRAGON BOATS

• The Coach will assign seating. The reasons for seat assignment may be made available to team members upon request to the Captain. 

• Cooperation and willingness to change seating positions in the boat at the request of the Coach and/or Captain is expected.

6. TEAM SELECTION

• Assignment to the Nothin’ Dragon boats is based upon the following; 

• Attitude: 

• Positive motivator and role model 

• Good listener 

• Strong work ethic 

• Flexibility in seating position 

• Fitness: 

• Training includes Dryland,  alternative forms of aerobic, strength and flexibility training beneficial to increasing and maintaining a healthy fitness level. Yoga suggested.

• Paddling technique and power 

• Attendance at: 

• Training  

• Practice

• Team events 

7. EQUIPMENT

• The team tents will not be rented out. 

• If the safety boat is loaned to another team it will only be if our Team provides the operator.

8. SAFETY (view more in our Safety section)

• Safety Guidelines are available for all Team members on the NDPS website 

• Annually, the team will participate in a “mock capsize” to practice the correct and safe procedures during a capsize situation. 

• The Safety chairperson will see that the safety boat is equipped as described in the Safety Boat Guidelines. 

• The Safety chairperson is responsible for assuring that: 

• The safety boat accompanies the dragon boat(s).  If for any reason the safety boat is unavailable (no driver or unexpected mechanical issue) the practice can proceed however the dragon boat(s) must not leave the Inlet.  As well, it is up to each team member’s discretion to participate with no impact on attendance.

• Occupants of all boats are wearing approved PFDs. 

• A minimum of 12 paddlers and a steersperson are in each dragon boat. 

9. RACES

• Race teams will consist of 20 paddlers, a drummer, a steersperson and 2 spares for each boat. 

• Other paddlers who wish to participate will be wait-listed 

• Spares will be guaranteed at least one heat each day. 

• The Captain or delegate will be responsible for race line-ups and race preparation when the Coach is not available. 

10. PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Personal information on team members will only be released as required for dragon boating purposes.

11. PERSONAL CONDUCT

• Conduct that creates an atmosphere of hostility, intimidation, ridicule, anxiety or disrespect for others will not be tolerated. 

• A team member exposed to alleged inappropriate conduct may bring the incident to the attention of the Executive Committee in writing via the Secretary, or verbally to the President. 

• Following a review of any alleged inappropriate conduct the Executive Committee may issue a reprimand. 

• If a team member is found to have conducted himself/herself inappropriately on more than one occasion the Executive Committee may enact the Bylaws to consider expulsion of that member.

12. COMMUNICATION

• Any Team member may raise any issue, excluding one related to personal conduct, verbally or in writing with any member of the Executive. 

• If appropriate, the team member may be requested to attend the Executive meeting. 

• The Executive member is responsible for taking the issue to a meeting of the Executive
  Committee and reporting back to the member after the meeting. 

13. AMENDMENTS

• The Secretary will be responsible for circulating the proposed amendment(s) before a meeting.

• The Secretary will be responsible for keeping the guidelines up to date.

SAFETY BOAT TO INCLUDE:

• 1 "dry" bag including: 

• First aid kit 

• Air horn 

• Flares (within expiry date) 

• 10 ' length of rope 

• 1 ladder 

• 1 throw bag

• Extra PFDs 

• Extra paddles