How to build a dragon boat team for your company

Paddlers sit in pairs down both sides of the boat. The drummer sits at the very front facing the crew and sets the rhythm. The steerer stands at the back and keeps the boat in its lane with a long oar.

At Bursa Dragon Cup, steering takes experience, so if nobody on your team can do it the club can provide a steerer. The drummer, though, should come from your own team: they are the crew's voice.

• People from different departments. The real gain is getting people who never work together into the same boat.
• A mixed crew of women and men. A balanced boat runs straighter.
• People with a sense of rhythm who follow instructions. That matters more than muscle.
• People who can actually be there on race day. Check shift and delivery schedules early.

Put the two people with the cleanest timing in the front row. Everyone behind follows them. The middle rows are the engine, where the strongest paddlers sit. The back rows keep the boat running and stay in touch with the steerer.

Name at least one, ideally two reserves, and bring them to practice. Illness or urgent work can come up on race day.

The team captain is the single point of contact with the organisers. They collect the roster, health declarations and shirt sizes and pass on the race schedule. The captain does not have to paddle.

1. When registration opens: confirm your crew count in the early-entry period, as places are limited.
2. After registering: pick the crew and reserves and choose a captain.
3. Weeks before the race: coached on-water practice at Dağyenice.
4. Race week: submit the roster and health declarations; the captain gets the schedule.
5. Race day: a single day in June. The 2027 festival is on 5 June.