We Practice out of the UBC Boathouse on Wednesday Evenings and Saturday Mornings. The only thing that stops us is white caps, not rain, sleet, snow, just white caps 😉
We paddle out of the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse (7277
River Rd, Richmond, B.C., V6X 1X5) on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
We start with a dry-land warmup.
The coach then goes through what we will be
focusing on that particular day.
Our
Practices last one and a half hours in all weather conditions.
The only thing
that stops us from going out is white caps or fewer than 12 paddlers.
Fraser Dragons Safety Procedures
Safe Paddling Conditions
We only go out if conditions are safe.
- Air
temperature must be 1°C or warmer
- No
whitecaps on the water
- Winds
must be calm enough for safe paddling
If conditions aren’t safe, the manager, coach, and steersperson will cancel practice with as much notice as possible — though sometimes the decision is made at the dock.
Start of Practice – On the Dock
- Designate
an safety lead (coach or stern paddler) in case the steersperson is
the emergency.
- Identify
a backup steersperson if available.
- Form
two lines and count off by row. Stay quiet so instructions can be
heard.
- PFDs
must be fully zipped and clipped.
Loading the Boat
- Load
only when directed by the coach or steersperson.
- Begin
from the middle rows, followed by front and back rows.
- Two
rows may load at a time.
- Seated
crew should lean out slightly to stabilize the boat.
On the Water
- Count
off again to confirm numbers in the back half of the boat.
- Seat
partners are responsible for watching each other.
- When
resting, paddles should lie across the lap with the blade pointing
outward.
- Always
be ready for the “Paddles Up” command.
End of Practice – Docking & Exiting
- Listen
carefully for final instructions from the steersperson.
- Do
not exit until the steersperson confirms the boat is secured.
- Exit
slowly, starting from the middle rows.
- Seated
crew lean out to keep the boat balanced.
Safety Gear – On Board
- Coach
carries a cell phone (alternate needed if coach is away).
- Throw
ropes and whistle are in the canister at the stern. In an emergency,
stern paddlers pass them forward.
First Aid
- Should
have one team member who is First Aid + CPR trained, AED certified.
- AEDs
will guide the user through operation.
- Please
advise the manager if you hold First Aid/CPR certification.
Safety Gear – Boathouse
- AED
located on the 2nd floor hallway near the south patio, overlooking
the boat deck.
- Opening
the AED box triggers an alarm to alert UBC staff.
- Alarm
stops when the box is closed.
In an Emergency
- Call
911 for police, ambulance, or fire.
- Location:
UBC Boathouse, 7277 River Road, Richmond
- Describe
emergency clearly and note if water rescue is needed.
- Canadian
Coast Guard: 1-800-567-5111 or 1-250-363-2333
- Send
someone to open the gate for emergency personnel.
Who’s in Charge
The coach and steersperson will assume command until authorities arrive. They will identify themselves to officials and coordinate safety operations.
International Distress Signals
- Raise/lower
arms repeatedly, or hold paddles overhead.
- Daytime:
use a whistle or sound device.
- Nighttime:
use sound device and wave a light overhead.
Note: Personal safety always comes before equipment.
Potential Situations
Extreme Weather
- Boats
must head immediately to the nearest safe location (boathouse,
marina, or safe shoreline).
- Secure
the dragon boat if possible.
- Await
rescue unless all paddlers are safe and hypothermia is not a risk.
Boating Mishaps
- Swamped
but floating: Stay seated, remain calm, align boat, and await rescue.
- Sinking:
Stay calm, steersperson takes command, signal for help, and conserve
energy.
- Capsized:
Stay with the boat — do not swim away.
- Report
your partner’s status to the steersperson.
- Huddle
up with your seat partner.
- Trapped
paddlers will usually find an air pocket — nearby partners must assist
them out.
Cold Water Safety
- Minimize
movement to preserve body heat.
- Use
the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) and buddy up with your seat
partner.
- Keep
clothes on; cover head, armpits, groin, and neck.
- Climb
partially onto the boat if possible.
Rescue Procedures
- Approach
from leeward side (into wind/current).
- Bow-first
approach is safest.
- Establish
verbal contact with paddlers in the water.
- Rescue
the most distressed individuals first, in pairs.
- Always
do a head count before and after.
- Do
not overload coach boats — multiple trips may be required.
After the Emergency
- Gather
immediately at the UBC Boathouse dock for a crew count.
- Report
all incidents (including first aid) to the boathouse facility manager
within 24 hours. Coaches, steerspersons, or safety leads must submit the
online form: UBC
Boathouse Incident Report
Safety Leads – Roles
Coaches
- Must
have Coast Guard and facility manager numbers stored in their phone.
- Responsible
for incident reports.
Steerspersons
- Must
follow river flow patterns: dragon boats must hug the shoreline.