From Good to Great: Why "Smooth" Isn't Always a Compliment

In dragon boating, we often hear coaches tell us to "keep it smooth." It's great advice for maintaining consistency and efficiency. But what happens when "smoothness" comes at the cost of power?

This is a dilemma many paddlers face. Some consciously sacrifice power for smoothness in a time trial or practice. While this can be a good strategy to improve consistency, the next step is learning how to re-apply that power without losing the newfound smoothness.

One key is in the catch. A well-executed catch—one with the correct timing and sequencing—allows you to apply power effectively, without sacrificing your rhythm. When you rush the catch or use improper form, your stroke can feel "choppy" or inconsistent. Conversely, if you prioritize being "smooth" by slowing down your catch or pull, you may be losing valuable speed.

The goal isn't to be just smooth or just powerful. The goal is to be efficiently powerful. This means mastering the fundamentals of the catch and body mechanics so that your power is applied seamlessly within a smooth and consistent stroke. It’s the difference between paddling and racing.