I’ve paddled in heat, rain, and that weird cold wind that hits you right before a start. I’ve raced in Long Beach, on the Charles in Boston, and at Treasure Island in San Francisco where the gusts feel rude. I even hauled my paddle out to a scorching weekend of boat racing at Lake Havasu just to see how the desert vibes compared. I’ve broken stuff. I’ve fixed stuff. And yes, I’ve learned what gear actually makes a difference on race day.
Let me explain what worked for me, what didn’t, and what I’d buy again tomorrow.
If you want to lose a few hours geeking out over paddling gadgets, the gear library at XCAT Racing is a dangerously fun place to start browsing. That rabbit hole actually began with my detailed breakdown, I Tried A Bunch of Dragon Boat Racing Gear — Here’s What Actually Helped, where I put every paddle, pad, and piece of foam through the ringer.
The Paddle: My Right Hand
I started with a Grey Owl wood dragon paddle. It felt warm and honest. But it was heavy by the third piece. My shoulder complained first.
Then I switched to a Hornet Watersports carbon paddle (IDBF legal). Mine is 47 inches. I’m 5'7". It felt light, quick, and easy to move. My catch got cleaner. My rate stayed steady when we sprinted through 200 meters. Small note though: the blade edge chipped a little after a rocky dock at practice. I sealed it with a thin bead of marine epoxy and a bit of electrical tape. That fix held all season.
I also borrowed a Burnwater Reactor III (47 inch) for a full race day in Long Beach. It felt springy. My pull felt strong, and I didn’t gas out as fast. The shaft had just a bit of flex that helped my elbows. Pricey? Yup. But I’d choose it for finals.
If you’re shopping for a solid, IDBF-approved starter blade or just want a reliable backup, take a look at the ZSS Dragon Boat paddles — they’re sturdy, reasonably priced, and easy to size.
Quick sizing tip from my own mess-ups: when I used 48 inches, my lower back got tight. At 47, my reach was still solid, and my body felt better. Most paddlers on my team run 46–49, based on height and seat.
Little grips that matter:
- Hockey tape on the top hand for stop-and-go starts.
- A tiny line of wax on the shaft so wet hands don’t slide.
PFDs: Safe, But Can You Breathe?
I’ve raced with the NRS Ninja and the Astral YTV. Both are low-profile and IDBF-friendly where PFDs are required. The Ninja feels more snug and sits a bit higher, which helps for rotation. The YTV is super light and soft. I wore the YTV at a windy regatta on the Bay and forgot it was on. That’s rare. If you ever need a refresher on what the officials actually look for in buoyancy aids and other essentials, the BDA safety procedures for regattas and training lay everything out in clear, practical detail.
One issue though: I got chafing under my arms with both when I wore a tank. A thin rash guard fixed it. So did a dab of BodyGlide on the seams.
Pockets? I keep it simple. Whistle, a gel, and a small key. No bricks in there.
Hands: Gloves, Tape, and the Blister That Taught Me
Rainy practice in Portland, I tore a blister on my index finger right at the start. It hurt every pull. Since then, I use Leukotape on that spot for long sets. For wet days, I wear NRS Boater’s Gloves (half-finger). They grip well on carbon and don’t soak up too much water. On hot days, I go with bare hands and a little strip of hockey tape where the shaft rubs.
One more thing: trim your nails. I learned the hard way during a start when I nicked my top hand. It wasn’t cute.
The Seat Pad: Sit Happy, Paddle Better
A seat pad sounds silly until your butt goes numb at 500 meters. I’ve tried three:
- Hornet gel pad: comfy, but it slid on a glossy seat when I wore slick shorts.
- Cheap garden kneeling pad (cut to shape, duct-taped edges): ugly but solid. No slip. Good for practice boats.
- Thin yoga mat square with contact cement: light and cheap, but it soaks water.
My fix: Hornet gel pad plus two lines of grippy tape on the bottom. It stays put now.
Shoes and Clothes: Don’t Overthink It, But Don’t Freeze
Shoes matter because boat floors get slimy. I use the Astral Loyak. Thin sole, lots of feel, great grip. On budget days I wore old Converse with drain holes poked in. That worked too.
Clothes that keep me sane:
- Warm: NRS Hydroskin pants (1.5 mm) and a long-sleeve rash guard under a light spray top.
- Hot: quick-dry shorts and a short-sleeve tech shirt. No cotton. It stays wet and cold.
- Wind: a light shell like the NRS Endurance jacket. Keeps the splash off.
Also, bring a dry change. Your future self will thank you.
Steering Gear: When I’m On The Sweep
I steer sometimes. I’ve used a Burnwater Fusion steering oar and a Grey Owl wood sweep. The Burnwater is lighter and doesn’t wear out my shoulder as fast in crosswind. In Long Beach, that helped me hold a clean line when two boats hugged our lane. The Grey Owl feels classic and steady, but it’s heavier, so I tire faster on turns. Always clip a safety lanyard to the sweep. I’ve seen a blade pop out on a hard draw. Scary stuff.
Drummer Bits: Beat, Don’t Bruise
When I drum, I bring a small foam square for the seat and a rubber mallet. Wood mallets bounce and sting my wrist. Rubber feels kinder and still gives a sharp beat. Earplugs help when the horn echoes off the water. And shoes with grip, because standing on a wet bow can get spicy.
Little Extras That Make Life Easier
- Water: a soft flask tucked in my PFD, or a small bottle under my bench. I sip at marshaling. Big bladders slosh and get in the way.
- Dry bag: Sea to Summit 8L for warm layers and snacks.
- Tape: Leukotape for fingers, electrical tape for paddle edges, and a bit of duct tape for… everything else.
- Bailer: a cut plastic detergent bottle. Old-school, works fast.
- Towel: a small microfiber one. Takes no space and saves me from cold bus rides home.
Long regatta weekends also taught me that a proper massage can rescue aching shoulders faster than any foam roller. If you happen to be competing around northern Georgia and want trusted intel on reputable spots, the crowd-sourced Rubmaps Acworth listings break down each massage studio’s vibe, cleanliness, and therapist specialties, so you can book a post-race rub-down without playing roulette with your recovery time.
What I Pack For Practice
- Paddle + seat pad
- PFD
- Gloves or tape
- Water
- Light jacket
- Towel and dry shirt
- Flip-flops for after
- Snack (banana or a granola bar)
Simple, right?
What Broke On Me (And How I Fixed It)
- Paddle edge: chipped on a dock. Marine epoxy + tape fixed it.
- Glove seams: ripped at the thumb after a month. I switched brands and kept a spare pair.
- Cheap seat pad: soaked through and smelled bad. I let it fully dry in the sun and moved on.
Race Day Feelings I Didn’t Expect
My hands shook at my first big start. Not from fear. From not eating enough. Now I bring a banana and a little electrolyte mix. Also, I carry a second hair tie. Losing one mid-warmup is chaos.
You know what? The small stuff adds up. When I’m dry, warm, and not sliding all over the bench, my stroke stays calm. And calm wins meters.
Talking about post-race calm, our crew loves unwinding by swapping goofy victory dances and behind-the-scenes clips on Snapchat once the boats are racked. If your snaps run on the flirtier side and you’d like a crash course in keeping them fun yet discreet, check out the guide to Snap Coquin — it walks you through playful ideas, privacy tips, and etiquette so your spicy highlights don’t turn into rookie mistakes.
For a sideways dive into how each discipline changes the way you pick gear, check out my field notes from [trying five kinds of boat racing](https://www.xcatracing.com/i-tried-five