Dragon Boat
Elementary - Curricular 2025
- Visit Dragon Boat Canada and the International Dragon Boat Federation.
Equipment
-
Students must wear a correctly fitting, properly secured/fastened and Canadian approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket, with whistle/signaling device attached, at all times near the water, where the depth of the water poses a risk, in and on the water.
-
Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (for example, Qualified Instructors, Trip Guides) are required to wear a correctly fitting, properly secured/fastened and Canadian approved PFD or lifejacket, with whistle/signaling device attached, at all times near the water, where the depth of the water poses a risk, in and on the water.
-
Paddles and boats must be checked to assess that:
-
there are no splinters or cracks
-
the head, tail, drum, drummer’s seat, and steering oar are securely fitted
-
the boat is not leaking and that bailers are in it
-
the centre seat is in place if it is a split boat
-
the buoyancy compartments are functional and sufficient to create positive buoyancy
-
the boat meets Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide requirements for small crafts.
-
-
Paddles must be the appropriate size for the age and size of students.
-
2 audible alarm signals (for example, whistle, air horn) must be carried by the helm (boat steers-person).
-
A motorized safety craft must be equipped with a bull-horn/megaphone.
-
A correctly fitting, properly fastened and Canadian approved personal flotatin device (P.F.D.)/lifejacket must be worn at all times during dragon boating.
Watercraft
- Paddles and boats must be checked to assess that:
- the boat meets Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide requirements for small crafts;
- there are no splinters or cracks;
- the head, tail, drum, drummer’s seat, and steering oar are securely fitted;
- the boat is not leaking and that bailers are in it;
- the centre seat is in place if it is a split boat; and
- the buoyancy compartments are functional and sufficient to create positive buoyancy.
- Paddles must be the appropriate size for the age and size of Students.
- Two audible alarm signals (for example, whistle, air horn) must be carried by the helm (boat steers-person).
Safety Craft
- A safety craft is a designated craft that is rescue-capable, taking into consideration necessary factors (for example, distance from shore, weather, water, wind conditions), and contains at least one Teacher, Qualified Instructor, or Trip Guide who meets the first aid certification.
- The safety craft must be motorized and equipped as per Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide requirements.
- The operator of the motorized safety craft must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, experience in navigating the craft, and knowledge of the waterway in which the activity takes place (for example hazards, rocks, shoals).
- The motorized safety craft must not pose a risk to the safety of the participants (for example, maintain a safe distance from the watercraft, operate at a speed that minimizes boat wake unless responding to an emergency).
- The motorized safety craft must be the first craft in the water with occupants aboard and the engine running before Students leave the beach, dock, or mooring and while Students are on the water.
- A reboarding device is required where the vertical height that a person must climb to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5m (1’8”).
- The motorized safety craft must be equipped with a bull-horn/megaphone.
Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery
-
Appropriate clothing and securely fitted footwear must be worn. A dry change of clothes must be available on shore.
-
Glasses, if worn, must have a safety strap.
Facilities
- Water and weather conditions must be appropriate for the skill level of the group.
- Before involving Students in an outdoor activity, Teachers/Monitors must take into consideration:
- Water conditions (for example, temperature, currents, tides, and wave conditions).
- Visibility of 500 m (1640’) is required
Controlled Area
- A pool, shallow water, calm lakefront, or sheltered bay must be available for the teaching of basic stroke skills.
Environmental Considerations
- Dragon boating must be cancelled in adverse weather conditions.
Special Rules/Instructions
Steersperson
-
Every boat requires a qualified steersperson.
-
Steersperson may sit or stand while steering.
-
Steersperson is the in-charge person outranking all persons in the boat.
-
Steersperson must be an employee of the Dragon Boat facility or approved by the Dragon Boat facility.
-
Steersperson for each boat must demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:
-
steersperson must read and understand Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide.
-
be able to manage the team and exercise authority over team members
-
load the boat
-
balance the boat
-
maintain a straight course at full racing speed with a full crew of 18-20 paddlers plus drummer
-
steer a figure eight course around two buoys at normal speed with a full crew, in both directions, or in the absence of buoys, steer a set course which includes both left and right angled turns
-
execute sideways manoeuvres without going forwards
-
turn the boat through 360 degrees in both directions without the use of paddlers
-
guide the boat forward in a straight line without the use of paddlers
-
guide the boat in reverse for 50m (164') with the use of paddlers
-
execute an emergency stop from racing speed to full stop
-
execute safe approaches to a jetty/pontoon/docks in still and windy conditions
-
manage the unloading of the team members
-
secure the boat and determine that all gear is put away correctly.
-
Student Medical Information
- Teachers must be aware of Students whose medical condition (for example, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy) may affect participation. Consult Medical Conditions.
- Teachers must be aware of Students participating with orthopedic device(s) and/or assistive devices and establish safety rules and procedures to ensure Students can participate safely in activities.
- Teachers are required to inform all individuals who assist with the activity (for example Qualified Instructors, Aquatic Instructors, Lifeguards, Volunteers) of Students who have needs, orthopedic, assistive devices, and/or medical conditions that may influence participation.
School Board Policies and Procedures
- Refer to school board policies and procedures (i.e., transportation, excursion/field trip) for parent/guardian communication and permission (for example, the location of an off-site activity, description of the activity and physical environment, means of transportation, inherent risks of the activity, supervision).
Safety Rules and Emergency Procedures
-
All Teachers/Qualified Instructors/Monitors must be knowledgeable of the established safety rules, and emergency procedures (for example capsize/swamp procedures).
-
Prior to participation, Students must be familiar with safety rules and emergency procedures specific to the watercraft activity in which they will participate (for example, PFD/lifejacket requirements, buddy responsibilities, capsize/swamp procedures, staying with the boat to use it as a life raft).
-
After initial instruction, Students must demonstrate the ability to select a correctly fitting PFD/lifejacket and to properly secure/fasten it.
-
Students must be informed of the location of available safety equipment and how to use it.
-
Before the start of each session, all paddlers are required to pair up with the paddler beside them, in case of emergencies (buddy system). The first pair is also responsible for the drummer and the last pair for the Steersperson.
-
Should Students require assistance at any time during the session, the drummer or Steersperson must raise their hand, accompanied by a series of three short bursts through the sounding device provided to signal the first aid provider/safety boat.
-
Steersperson must be able to use, and crew must correctly respond to common dragon boat racing commands.
-
Before the start of each session, the Teacher/Qualified Instructor must inform appropriate personnel (for example, facility’s staff member) of the beginning and ending time on water.
-
If standards vary between the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education and an activity provider, implement the higher standards.
-
Teachers must be aware of the site’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP), including the Site Specific Rescue Plan, and share with all Monitors and Participants.
-
In case of emergency, procedures must be in place to ensure accountability for all boats, Teachers, monitors and Students on the water.
-
In case of an emergency, a predetermined return route must be established.
-
A vehicle for emergency purposes must be available.
-
An individual must be designated (for example, Teacher or Parent) to transport an injured student to the hospital. This must not be the Teacher/Trip Guide responsible for the excursion.
-
In the event that a boat is swamped, the following procedures must be followed:
- Steersperson must be aware of any special conditions (for example, medical conditions, swim ability/swim comfort) that may apply to an individual paddler.
- Steersperson must take charge of the crew until the motorized safety boat arrives.
- The crew must hold onto the boat (Students must be instructed not to swim to shore).
- Students must determine that their partner is in view (buddy system).
- Students must inform the Steersperson if their partner is missing (buddy system).
- The approach of the safety boat must not endanger (for example, trap) any participants in the water.
- Students must follow Steersperson/first aid provider instructions.
- If the boat has sufficient flotation – crew must get into the boat and paddle to shore. If not, hang onto boat and follow instructions of Steersperson.
Teacher Awareness/Preparation
- Teachers and all individuals who assist the Teacher with the activity must be aware of the possibility of pressuring Students. Students must be informed not to coerce a reluctant student into participating in any component of the activity with which they display or vocalize reluctance.
- When a student displays or vocalizes reluctance about participation, at any time, before or during any component of the activity, they must be provided with alternative ways to participate in the activity (for example, permit Students to select a role within the activity, remain at or return to a different component of the activity, break down new experiences/ components into smaller steps, be introduced to a new component with which they are comfortable).
- Demonstration of proficiency of skills must occur in a pool, shallow water, calm lakefront or sheltered bay.
- Prior to participation all Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (e.g. Qualified Instructors/Trip Guides) must be aware of Students who have no or limited swim ability/experience in the environment in which the activity takes place (for example, lakes, ponds, rivers) (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form).
- Teachers and all individuals who assist with the watercraft activity (e.g. Qualified Instructors/Trip Guides) must be aware of Students who have none or limited swim ability/experience (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form). and/or display or express hesitancy in the watercraft. The Teacher/Qualified Instructor must include additional program modifications (for example, consider the placement of Students based on their experience and comfort level, placing student with or near the Teacher/Qualified Instructor/Steersperson, and/or outfitting the student in a PFD or lifejacket with increased buoyancy).
- Elementary Students must not act as drummers.
Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire
- Prior to the activity, the Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed (Refer to Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form).
- The Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed within the school year in which the activity is taking place.
- Results of the Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be documented and communicated as per school board policy (for example, to the student, Teacher, Principal, Parents/Guardians, Trip Guide(s), Volunteers, Lifeguards, and Outside Provider [as applicable]).
- The Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form must be completed and submitted, or the student must not participate in the activity.
Supervision
- On-Site Supervision is required when students are moving and handling equipment (e.g., lifting, portaging carries, launching and removing watercraft(s) to and from the water).
Supervision/Monitoring Ratios
-
For the initial on-the-water instruction, the Teacher/Qualified Instructor-to-student ratio is 1:10.
-
After the initial instruction there must be 2 Teachers/Monitors per boat. One Teacher/Monitor is in the dragon boat and the other Teacher/Monitor is on land or in the motorized safety boat maintaining visual contact.
Qualifications
Steersperson Qualifications
-
The dragon boat steersperson must possess one of the following qualifications:
-
Dragon Boat Canada’s Steering Accreditation Course
-
Attendance at a clinic or workshop within the last three years provided by an instructor who is knowledgeable of the activity (for example, appropriate skills and progressions) and where safety is addressed as outlined in the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education.
-
Past experience within the last 3 years as a steersperson in dragon boat racing, having knowledge of the activity (for example, appropriate skills and progressions) and where safety is addressed as outlined in the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education.
-
Dragon Boat Instructor Qualifications
-
One Qualified Instructor must have one of the following current certifications:
-
minimum ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Level 1 (tandem) or Basic Canoeing Instructor
-
demonstrate competencies listed for steersperson in Special Rules/Instructions column
-
certification as required by Dragon Boat Canada
-
Lifeguard Qualifications
First Aid
- At least one Teacher/Monitor must have a minimum of a current (not more than three years prior to the day on which the holder is on duty) first aid certificate (standard or higher) issued by one of the following agencies: St. John Ambulance; Canadian Red Cross; Lifesaving Society; Canadian Ski Patrol; or an organization whose certificate is deemed equivalent by the medical officer of health in the local health unit.
Safety Craft
-
If instruction is taking place in a pool, no safety craft is required.
-
A safety craft is a designated craft that is rescue-capable, taking into consideration necessary factors (for example, distance from shore, weather, water and wind conditions), and contains at least one Monitor who meets the first aid certification.
-
A motorized safety craft must be in the water and accessible while students are dragon boating. The operator of the motorized safety craft must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card and must have experience in navigating the craft.
-
Safety boats are optional when in a controlled area (for example, a confined location, such as a pool, shallow waters, lakefront, or slow moving river). Other procedures for rescuing in a controlled area must be developed and in place with appropriate rescue individuals prior to dragon boating. Safety boats are required at all other times.
Definitions
Wed, 08/20/25 02:42 pm