Sweep Training January 2017

Sweep Training January 2017

Sweep Accreditation Training Sweep accreditation is an NZDBA initiative designed to ensure that participants in NZDBA events are afforded the safety benefits of a trained sweep. How the accreditation works Education Training with an experienced sweep A written test (20 questions 90% pass rate) A practical test Level 2 (Provisional accreditation) Race in three events Level Three (full accreditation)

Levels Of Accreditation Level 0 (L0) - NOVICE Sweep: Refers to a sweep 'in training' and not yet observed or tested by a coordinator Restricted to Training sessions only (i.e. own crew). Must be under Direct Supervision of a Fully Accredited (L3) Sweep (in Boat) Satisfactory sweeping skill is achieved Level 0 Sweep Demonstrates knowledge of Safety Briefing and capsize procedure. Knows local waterway restrictions/rules and hazards Level 1 (L1) - RESTRICTED Accreditation Sweeps must be mentored by Level 3 Sweep. (Goal Sweep training sessions independently) L1 Sweeps are restricted to steering at regular training sessions only. Not at Regatta L1 Sweeps may sweep School &/or Junior Crews Under Supervision - Direct or Indirect is at the discretion of the level 3 qualified Sweep. Minimum age is 15 years. Level 1 Sweep completes written test and practical assessment

Levels Of Accreditation Level 2 (L2) - PROVISIONAL Accreditation: L2 Sweep is allowed to sweep Adult Crews during club training sessions unsupervised. L2 Sweep is Allowed to sweep Adult and Junior Crews at regattas in conditions appropriate to experience*.(nzdba Rules of Racing) L2 Sweep is NOT allowed to sweep during the hours of darkness Where possible, one or more Sweep mentors should be assigned to new groups to assist with initial sweep and paddler training. Mentoring may remain until a group has L2-3 sweeps. Sweep at three individual racing events with one being a sanctioned regional event where 2 races must be completed in twenty man boats. Level 2 sweeps must wear an orange safety vest in races Level 3 (L3) -FULL SWEEP Accreditation: Allowed to sweep All Crews during training sessions and at regattas. Allowed to sweep School &/or Junior Crews during training sessions and at regattas. Allowed to instruct, mentor and supervise sweep training & development at Levels L0 to-l2. L3 Sweeps are NOT allowed to sweep during the hours of darkness L3 sweeps must wear a fluorescent green safety vest in all races they sweep.

Testing Testing Will consist of two parts The Written Test will consist of 20 questions (multiple choice) of which the person being tested must attain a 90% pass rate. The Practical Test will consist of each sweep candidate steering a dragon boat (with a minimum of 16 paddlers) and must be able to demonstrate certain skills such as: ensuring the dragon boat is balanced perform a head count (Numbering off) using the standard set of calls reversing a dragon boat safely maintaining a dragon boat on a start line stopping a dragon boat quickly reversing the dragon boat into a start pontoon and setting up for a race start cornering around set markers buoys as in a 2000m turn race completing a turn with another boat along side

Levels Of Accreditation Level 4 (L4) Advanced Awarded to Level 3 Sweeps at the discretion of the NZDBA Regional Affiliated Association Sweep Coordinators Level 5 (L) Sweep Master (Mentor) Awarded to Level 4 Sweeps at the discretion of the NZDBA Sweep Control Group upon receiving nomination from a Regional Sweep Coordinator.

Sweep Level Classifications The minimum age for sweeps is 15 years Women s crews must have a female sweep BC crews must have a BC sweep Premier (open) crews can have either Junior and under 23 crews can have either

Basic Safety Procedures The weather should you be going out? Lifting technique. Do you have enough paddlers? Bend the knees when lowering Decide seating positions before entering the boat Wait until everyone is seated before pushing the boat out Wear Suitable Footwear Life Jackets Safety Briefing and numbering off

Numbering Off -The Buddy System The sweep is responsible for ensuring that the crew number off before heading out onto the water. The crew should number off from the front of the dragon boat and be made aware that they are responsible for the person they are paired with (seated next to in the dragon boat) and that, in the event of a capsize, their first responsibility is to ensure that their partner (buddy) is accounted for and safe. This called the buddy system and it gives each person in the dragon boat a specific responsibility for another. The Stroke Pair (first pair no#1 left and no#2 right) in the boat are responsible for the Drummer and the rear pair (last pair no#19, 20) for the Sweep.

Water Procedures Keep to the right. Move in an anticlockwise direction Give way to boats on your starboard (right) side. If meeting another boat head on -alter course to starboard. (Pass port to port) Practice Now. Give way to ferries, rowing sculls Use the outside third of the river or channel

Giving Way

Water Safety Precautions Loading and unloading is when a capsize is most likely to occur. When loading from a beach The back of the boat should be in the water Two paddlers hold the front of the boat steady Paddlers load from the front of the boat and walk down to their seat. Sit in the middle of the seat. Sweep first then row 10, row 9 etc

Water Safety Procedures When loading from a pontoon or jetty paddlers should load in the middle of the boat first. The sweep will be last on and first off. Paddlers should have their paddles flat on the water to stabilise the boat.

Capsize Procedure The Sweep inflates their life Jacket Each paddler accounts for their buddy. Sweep sends an able swimmer under the boat to search for anyone missing. The sweep double checks by ordering a numbering off. The crew stays with the boat Under instruction from the sweep the dragon boat may be rolled back into the upturned position. Injured or distressed paddlers should be placed in the upturned boat. Await the arrival of the rescue boats. Sweep is last out of the water

Capsize Procedure In the situation where there is no rescue boat The whole crew may attempt to swim the boat to shore. As a last resort the crew may leave the dragon boat and swim to shore in pairs At each training location there should be Basic first aid kits Emergency Blankets Towing ropes

Swimming and PFD s Ideally all members of the crew must be able to swim 50m in paddling clothes but as a minimum they must be water competent in cold and moving water. Aoraki regulations require all paddlers to wear NZS certified PFD s whenever they are in a boat. Training or racing. At no time should any person in the boat be under the influence of alcohol

Balancing a Dragon Boat A well balanced boat is easier to steer and easier to paddle. Before leaving the shore the sweep should check that the boat is well balanced. Lift paddles into the air to check balance Each pair of paddlers should be of similar weight or height. Heavier paddlers should be seated in the middle of the boat.

Balancing a Dragon Boat Swap paddlers from side to side To balance the boat. Move heavier paddlers away from the centre seats of the heavier side Move heavier paddlers into the centre of the boat on the lighter side.

Reversing Have the boat pointing where you want to go before moving Never leave the sweep oar in the water -only dip it in to steer. Always look behind to ensure there are no boats behind. Paddles Behind go Reverse slowly

Stopping Stop the boat or Brake the Boat Followed by Paddles flat Stop the boat then Back Paddle Stop if going out of your lane during a race Stop Stop Stop or Brake hard Take the run off

Racing at Regatta Register with the Sweep Coordinator ½ an hour before the first race of the day. You will be given a fluorovest Always attend the briefing for sweeps and check the race rules. Move to the start line promptly. Crews can be left behind Always give yourself plenty of room. When coming to the start line go well back and come up slowly. Allow for the wind and the drift. Come in from the windward side and drift down to your lane. It makes it a lot easier to come in straight. Keep right to the edge of the lane. You only need to be there for a few seconds before the start. In a rope start get the caller to hold the rope and position the front of the boat in the middle of the lane. Use the sweep oar to move the back of the boat to line it up.

Racing at Regatta Pick a spot at the end of the course to aim for so you keep a straight line If at the start line you are not ready or experience a problem the drummer must raise their hand when the starter asks are you ready Brace yourself for the surge at the start of a race. Sweeps have been known to fall of the back of a dragon boat. Keep your crew calm and balanced once the race has finished. This is when capsizes can and do occur. Note: The race is finished only if you cross the line with the same number of racers as you started with.

Paddlers Minimum of 12 years old Must be able to swim 50m in paddling clothes Shorts not longs no jeans Thermals in the Winter Sweeps need a windproof jacket Wetsuit booties are good for warmth and Grip

Calls from the Sweep Call Are You Ready Attention Go Back 2/3/4 rows Draw front left or right Draw back left or right Number Off Hold Water Let It Run Paddles Behind Paddles Flat Rest /Relax Stop (Brake ) the Boat As you were Meaning The first call from the starter the drummer holds up both arms if crew not ready Move paddles to the start position (May be in the water) Start Paddling ( In a race this may be a hooter or a gun) Only the named rows are under the sweeps instruction. Use this to manoeuvre Use the nominated seats to pull the front of the boat into line Use the nominated seats to pull the back of the boat into line Number off before heading out onto the water This is when the paddlers hold their blades still in the water to halt the boat s motion and keep it stationary Paddles come out of the water and let the boat glide Paddles are placed in a backward position ready for paddling backwards Paddlers press the blade of the paddle onto the surface of the water to keep the boat stable Crew members can lean forward with arms straight resting on the gunwales Paddlers stop the dragon boat quickly by holding the blade vertically in the water. Cancels out a call started but not completed. Use a commanding voice and make yourself heard. Be snappy

At The Start Line

At The Start Line

Stopping Wind Drift Forwards or Backwards Sideways

BASIC MARITIME BOATING RULES Channel Markers These show well-established channels and indicate port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the channels. One of the following may be used: COMING IN (Entering a harbour or heading inland from entrance point) Upon entering a harbour, the RED PORT MARKER should be kept on the boat s PORT (left) side and the GREEN MARKER on the boat s starboard (right) side. GOING OUT (Leaving a harbour in a direction heading toward Open Sea / Harbour Entrance) When leaving a harbour, the RED PORT MARK should be kept on the boat s STARBOARD (right) side, and the GREEN MARK on the boat s port (left) side.

BASIC MARITIME BOATING RULES Maritime Water Danger Markers The main purpose of a Cardinal Mark is to indicate the safe side on which to pass a danger. The deepest water is on the named side. Each Mark indicates where there is DEEP WATER close to a known danger (Rock or Reef or Submerged Hazard). They show this relative to the Compass. That is Deep (safe) Water is to the North of a North Cardinal Mark. And Deep Water is East of an East Cardinal Mark Another way of thinking of it, is that they indicate where the Cardinal Mark is in relation to a Hazard.

BASIC MARITIME BOATING RULES Isolated Danger Marker Red and Black Indicates an Isolated Danger, Such as a submerged rock and so tells you NOT to pass too close. This mark is coloured Black with one or more horizontal red bands, if lit at night it shows a group of two white flashes Special Area Indicator Marker Indicates a Special area and that you should beware. Coloured Yellow and when lit at night shows a flashing Yellow light. The top mark is a single yellow cross. Check sea charts to identify what is special in that area.

2k Turns Racing

On The Start Line 2K Race 5 3 1 6 4 2 There is a one minute warning then a 10 second countdown Boat 1 Goes on the first signal. Boat three moves up to the line Boat 2 goes on the second signal. Boat 4 moves up to the line Boat 3 goes on the third signal. Boat 5 moves up to the line Boat 4 goes on the fourth signal. Boat 6 moves up to the line And so it continues until all boats have started The signals are 15 seconds apart so boats have 30 seconds to move up Stay right up with the boat ahead not to get caught behind the line.

The normal line of racing is 6m out from the buoys

Overtaking Before a Turn Overtaking will be carried out to the left of the boat being overtaken. At the 50m flag if the drummer on the overtaking boat is level with the sweep on the leading boat the leading boat must not alter course and must allow the overtaking boat 2m clear water. (between paddles)

Once the turn is started the boats must maintain station. A team will incur a time penalty for impeding another boat or causing them to steer an unreasonably wide course.

Boats must not go inside the buoys on the turn. Penalty is 5 seconds per offence

Once turn is completed the boats may race again.

If the trailing boat did not have overlap at the 50m mark then the leading boat has right of way and may follow the line of buoys around the corner. The trailing boat must give way. Overtaking on the right is allowed.

A boat may overtake on the left of the lane buoys immediately after the last turn

Thank you for your attention Rick Smith Regional Sweep Coordinator 021 1113966