Since we've got some wacko topics going on, howa bout another (I'll leave the typo "howa bout" in for the spell checker thread to go wild on)

We all have to pull our weight in the boat which means the heavier we are, the more propulsion we should bring to the boat. Unfortunately the heavier the boat, the more submerged in the water it is and therefore a higher drag.

What is interesting is that the drag is exponential to the depth (I have a PHD in Dragonboating so I can say that), so in fact a heavier paddler needs to pull more than his or her weight. Big guys think about losing weight!

So is it any wonder why the light teams from China do so well and the MOFOs suck. (Oops, my bipolar side momentarily took over).

I'm getting tired of the current threads, so lets have a hayday over this one, and then we can get into whos going to win Pickering.

... But I am serious about the exponential factor

First, lets clarify we are talking about big guys and not fat guys.

An average mofo is 10x stronger than an average paddler. This strength makes the drag issue almost moot. This is why they beat 95% of crews. The ones with skinnier guys.

Next time observe the mofo's race carefully: The back six paddle backwards just to compensate for the torque of the front 12 from flipping the boat backwards over the cox.

But the MOFOS were a pretty light crew. Comes with an extremely low body fat percentage. They just looked big. Most of the guys were well below 180 if not 170. And the gals were just plain petite.

Yes, they only paddle with 18 just for the challenge.

Since when do the lighter teams do well? Have you seen SRS? At the worlds this last summer the Russians were anything but small and although china had an interesting stoke they were nowhere to be seen come the podium shuffle. I don’t doubt the your ideas about the drag on a boat but there must be something else involved and to some extent size does seem to matter no matter what they say to you.

Nice try Albert next time show your work...

Let’s not use the Mofo's as an example of a good crew. They are strong but they can hardly be considered an ideal crew. They regularly lose to teams that are not as fit as they are. Hum. Could it be they simply paddle very poorly?

The Mofos probably have a good five or six women who weigh 100 pounds each, and lots of guys around 160-170lbs. Big Fish is a better example of a heavy team.

When big fish is able to keep up the Mofo's we will talk. Untill that time keep up the diet BIG fish.

Shut up!!! My mom says I'm just big boned!

OK drag is exponential to depth... I'll trust you there. But surely depth is not linear to weight in the boat? Just say and extra 50kg and the depth increases by 1cm, the next 50kg may not mean another 1cm drop? From another thread salinity and shape of the hull etc would play a part?
Thoughts Dr. Anonymous?

Likewise, strength and weight are NOT linear, for example, it does NOT work as such:

Joe @ 150 pounds can bench 130 pounds
Joe @ 160 pounds can bench 140 pounds
Joe @ 170 pounds can bench 150 pounds


The more weight Joe puts on in muscle, his strength increases exponentially, as such:

Joe @ 150 pounds can bench 130 pounds
Joe @ 160 pounds can bench 160 pounds
Joe @ 170 pounds can bench 200 pounds

Thus, Joe @ 170 pounds, while pulling 20 more pounds of his own body weight, is also now pulling a greater % of his share of the boat's total weight (including any additional drag that a heavier boat has incured)

mofos have huge upper bodies but tiny ass legs.

Rob Chang is a 'BIG boned' guy but the majority of teams would definitely want him to paddle for them

likewise for some of the girls on the piranhas

On the otherhand, his body isn't very aerodynamic.

Firstly my bipolar side apologizes to the MOFOs for poking fun at them. It just seems that they get the brunt of the forum banter and if I didn't slam them, they might feel left out. They and the fishies seem to have a good sense of humour at times, so why not.

Aussie Kelly - There are so many variables, its not funny. The depth is definitely not linear to the weight in the boat. The drag however is not just the friction of the water on the surface area of the hull, but also includes a pressure wave generated in the water from the boat - to all sides and down. Wash riders benefit from that wave and teams that get a shallow lane do not benefit. It always sucks to get the shallow lane. Who has an easier time getting off the line - the lighter teams

For you team, do you chose Joe @ 170 lbs who can bench 200 lbs, or Pete at 270 lbs who can bench 600 lbs. I chose Joe

but Joe has crappy technique, call Pete

but although Pete has good technique, he has no core, call joe back

but Joe wears a yellow dishwashing glove, kick him off the team

and pete drown when his PFD sank with him - he's 270 lbs remember

Gotta love this sport


(knowing my luck Heavy Fishes name is Pete and I now have a bunch of angry fishes after me)

Hey, it's not like they can catch you even if they're running after you

Rob Chang is a good example. I've paddle with him a few times and he's phenomenal. Another good example (perhaps better) is Gavin Maxwell. Biggest SOB ever to step in a dragonboat and possibly the heaviest ever too. But argue that with a former Olympian and multi-national team member.

Yeah, I can see the similarities to Rob Chang and Gavin Maxwell too.

As a matter of fact, throw in That big goofy Mofo guy too. Like 3 twins.

Just making a point that some big guys are very good. I'm pretty sure either of them AND the Mofo could likely kick your ass in paddling.

"Like 3 twins", eh? Is that similar to 2 triplets?

Rob Chang is great we all could learn a lot from him.

<"Like 3 twins", eh? Is that similar to 2 triplets?>
that is really stupid

You dopes make it way too complicated. I guarantee the Russians aren't wasting time with all these calculations and anlayses. Get really fit, strong people who KNOW HOW TO PADDLE. Small boat training for everyone.

It ain't the meat, it's the motion...