Paddling Disciplines
Paddles and the craft they propel come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Still, all types of paddling (usually referred to as "disciplines") share a few common characteristics, and certain aspects of fundamental technique – notably facing forward in the boat (in contrast to facing backward while rowing), and using a paddle that (contrary to the oars used in rowing) is not connected to the boat.
At FCRCC, we have four main paddling disciplines:
- Dragon Boat
- Flatwater (representing by the olympic K class sprint kayaks and "high-kneel" C canoes)
- Outrigger canoes
- Marathon canoes
Many club members train and race in more than one discipline, hence we call ourselves a multi-disciplinary club.
For dragon boat paddlers, cross-training in OC1s (solo outriggers) is especially popular, as these boats offer individuals the chance to train by themselves in a boat - but yet one that is far more stable, and which requires a paddling technique & style much more similar to a dragon boat, than does a K1 or C1 flatwater canoe.