[Paddlewise] Danish school dragon boat tragedy

A small dragon boat such as the one the school used (or any dragon boat, for
that matter) is not the sort of thing to be in if either wind or waves are
up.  The very low gunwhales let it take water on easily.  The length makes
it very difficult and slow to turn.  The hull shape (a shallow W) combined
with the number of paddlers make it impossible to lean the boat in a timely
and controlled manner to adjust for waves.  The very short paddle length
prevents effective bracing.  The platform on which the steerperson stands
ices over very easily, leading to interruptions in steering and boat balance
when the steers falls.  The steering oar catches crabs extemely easily when
reversing.  The drummer and steers significantly raise the centre of gravity
of the boat.  The significant length and number of paddlers makes the boat
easily get caught and turned broadside by the wind.  The number of paddlers
makes coordinated reaction to wave sets extremely difficult for very skilled
crews, and impossible for most crews.  In short, a dragon boat is totally
unsuited -- literally unseaworthy -- to paddling in rough conditions.

I have found that when a sudden squall hits, the best approach is to steer
into the wind, assign a few paddlers in the stern to bailing, assign a few
paddlers in the bow to assist with steering, use the paddlers midships to
maintain position, wait until things calm down a bit, and then ever so
gently ferry and surf as needed to drift to a safe bay.  It takes a very
skilled crew to do this. Turning when the wind is up?  No way.  Paddling a
dragon boat when it might get rough in cold conditions?  Nuts to that --
there are far less strenuous ways to suicide if one is so inclined.

Attempting to round a buoy in windy conditions, at near freezing wind and
water temperatures, with a recreational crew of teenagers, without adequate
cold water attire, without a motorized chase boat, without communications,
without a rescue plan and onshore rescue coordinator, without, without,
without . . . without a hope in hell.  How terribly sad.  My heart goes out
to the crew and their families.

Richard Culpeper
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