國際龍聯高層回應中國選手的輿論，專文解釋國際規則有關坐划的條文、原意和立場，和其他相關的站划比賽可能安排
( 公開文件
2008.3.10 )
Racing Rules – stay seated or stand up
競賽規則探討 – 坐划還是站划? (English)
英文原文刊於龍舟世界雜誌第2期
(2008年4月號 )
(中文譯本由國際龍舟聯合會委託義務翻譯
)
近來在中國龍舟界之中，越來越多人討論到關於國際龍舟聯合會 ( IDBF ) 的規則中只准採用坐划姿勢而不容許用跪或站立姿勢比賽的問題。
很多亞洲選手不滿這項規則，因為他們本身經常採用站划姿勢，也常說這姿勢是龍舟傳統的一部分，至少在中國某些部分地區是這樣。
引起這樣的討論，或許是因為大部分划手都從來未曾詳細看過國際龍聯的競賽規則，又或許從來沒有人向他們詳細解釋這些規則，及規則背後的用意。
有這樣的討論是一件好事，因為那正顯示出選手們真正關心自己所參與的運動項目，也會探討國際總會的決策。為此國際龍聯引以為榮，也要向各位建兒表示衷心謝意。
要嘗試了解這個問題，那麼就讓我們先看一看國際龍聯的規則實際上是怎樣寫的。有關這個問題，在
IDBF 附例 (Bye-Laws) 第3.1條
有提到
(之前在1993年提出時是第3.3項)，內容是這樣的：
「推動力與控制 – (3.3)龍舟是以一隊人坐在船上、面向前進方向、並以人力利用單邊划槳作簡單划水動作來推動
(穿過水面) 。這艘船艇以長槳形的尾舵來調整方向，尾舵綁紮於船尾的槳叉(槳耳)上，或以一支較大的划槳來操舵。連同鼓手的座椅，船頭安置的一個中國式大鼓通常是利用來維持全隊的划水節奏。」
這項附例是 IDBF 的成員經過民主投票方式決定出來的。那些成員都是來自全球各地的龍舟總會和組織，當中也包括了亞洲國家和亞洲龍舟聯合會。
這附例的條文很清楚，也意味着在任何以 IDBF 規條和章程來舉行的比賽中，所有的參賽隊伍必須坐下來比賽。如果規則要修改，就必需由 IDBF 的成員在 IDBF 理事會中提出動議，並重新表決。
到目前為止，經過15年推行，仍未曾有會員提出過這樣的動議。不過，最重要的還是，這條文只適用於 IDBF 名下規管的比賽，而各會員機構也可以按照自己的情況來決定是否要在自己的比賽中採用 IDBF 的競賽規則。大部分都已經如此，但不是全部。
國際龍聯的其中一個目標是要保存龍舟的文化和傳統。所以，事實上， IDBF 的競賽規則沒有真正禁制站立式划法。這條附例所做的，是防止划手們在實際比賽過程中中途改變划水姿勢，由坐划變為站划或跪划。
IDBF 的比賽規章是容許在「坐划比賽」以外舉行「傳統划姿」( 在中國有時也叫做開放式划姿 ) 的競賽，只要一個錦標賽的主辦單位確實選擇這樣的安排就可以了。因此， IDBF 從來沒有禁制某一種划船姿勢。
IDBF 的會員機構和比賽主辦者確實要按自己的情況來決定是否要全盤採用 IDBF 的競賽規則，或容許划手們站起來。很明顯這都是有關機構需要討論的事情。 IDBF 的看法是：本地比賽仍可以繼續當地的傳統，也可以不是這樣，完全由主辦單位自行決定。
那麼為什麼當年 IDBF 的成員要決定在 IDBF 的比賽中採用只准坐划的方式呢？
這個，背後是有充分的理由，而其中之一是因為站划比較難一點掌握，也帶來了較大的翻船風險。所以，從安全角度來看，這條規則是明智的。
從划水技巧來看，坐划比較易學易做，也較安全，那就是說坐划的風格令這項運動更易入門，更易參與；也就是說，高水平的精英選手也好 (有時 IDBF 會這樣稱呼他們) ，新入門的初哥也好，以至殘障人士也好，都可以一同參與和採用。
大部分東南亞以外的隊伍，尤其那些來自西方的隊伍，有很多都是不懂站起來划龍舟的。而且，即使他們懂，他們也要花上很多個月的訓練才能夠充分掌握其中的要訣，才能完善地運用這種技術；就算這樣，以他們較大較重的身材來說，也很可能造成更大的危險。假如他們站划，但缺乏經驗，再加上全隊在船上的重心較高，那就會大大的增加意外和翻船的危險。
我們必須謹記，大部分國際龍聯的會員機構正採用的「國際龍聯標準競賽龍舟」，是以香港龍舟為基礎發展出來的。但是，這些標準龍舟現今都是採用合成物料製造的，並非柚木。因此，相比在中國用的木製龍舟，它們輕巧得多，坐下來時水位也較高，如果站起來划，也可能沒有那麼穩定，因而較易翻沉。
就是這樣，坐划姿勢能令龍舟真正的成為適合普羅大眾的運動，人人可以參與──這種簡單的划船技巧，全世界任何人都能一學就懂。
作為一項運動的全球總會， 國際龍聯必須關注到如何提供一套全球適用而且安全的競賽規章，好讓人人都能容易參與。不過， 國際龍聯也要提供一套公平而且對所有情況、所有大賽都能平等對待，兼可以清楚比較出各隊演出水平的規章。
就是為了這個要令比賽「公平兼可以比較」的原因， 國際龍聯的規章下不容許划手在實際比賽過程中改變划水姿勢，由坐划變為站划或跪划。
也是為了這個理由，加上對安全的考慮，國際龍聯已引入”Affiliate Dragon Boat Festivals Program” ( 暫譯附屬/ 或加盟龍舟節日計劃 )，目的就是為國際性比賽制訂出一個擁有共同規則章程的比賽網絡。對於要跨國參賽的隊伍來說，這是很重要的，因為他們至少能知道賽例將會跟自己國家採用的相近。
總括來說， 國際龍聯鼓勵世界各地的比賽籌辦單位保存當地的比賽傳統──而這個只要在他們的比賽項目上增加一些「傳統划姿」的比賽分項或級別就能輕易達成了。
撰文：享寧•威可斯特 (國際龍聯市務及媒體委員會)
邁克•哈斯萊姆 (國際龍舟聯合會執行主席
)
翻譯：侯志輝 2008/3/12香港)
| ＞＞傳統還是科技 － 哪樣對龍舟最好 （本文的延續討論） | |
| ＞＞其他延伸閱讀 |
* * * * *
Racing Rules – stay seated or stand up?
Recently in China there has been quite a discussion ongoing about the IDBF ruling that only allows for the ‘sitting’ position during racing and not kneeling or standing.
Many paddlers in Asia are not happy with this rule because they always stood up and say that this is part of the tradition of Dragon Boating, at least in some regions in China.
The discussion is perhaps nurtured by the fact that most paddlers have not read the IDBF rules or have not had the rules – and their intention, explained to them in detail.
The good thing about all this is that the paddlers are showing that they really care for their sport and are discussing decisions of their world governing body. The IDBF truly can be proud about this and very thankful for the interest shown by the paddlers.
To try and understand the issues involved, let us take a look at the actual IDBF ruling.
The subject is dealt with in IDBF By-Laws under BL 3.1 (previously 3.3 introduced in 1993) which says:
Propulsion and Control.(3.3) The Dragon Boat (Long Zhou) is propelled (moved through the water) by the muscular force of its crew sitting in a forward facing position and using small single bladed paddles as simple levers on the water. The boat is guided (Steered) through the use of a long steering oar that is rigged using Thole pins located at the rear of the boat or with a large paddle. A Chinese style drum, together with a Drummer’s seat, is situated in the bow, by which the stroke cadence of the crew is usually maintained.
This Bye-Law was decided on by a democratic vote of the IDBF Members and those Members are Dragon Boat Federations and organizations from around the World, which also includes the Asian countries and the Asian Dragon Boat Federation.
The text of the Bye-Law is very clear and means in any race conducted under IDBF Racing Rules and Regulations the crews have to be sitting. Changing the rules requires the IDBF Members to make a proposal to the IDBF Council and vote again.
So far, in the fifteen years since it was introduced, no IDBF Member has made any such proposal but the important point here is that the rule only applies to IDBF races and it is up to each individual IDBF Member whether or not they adopt the IDBF Racing Rules for their own races. Most have but not all.
One of the objectives of the IDBF is to maintain the culture and traditions of Dragon Boating, therefore as a matter of fact, the IDBF rules of racing do not actually ban Stand Up Paddling. What the Bye Law does is prevent paddlers from changing from the ‘sitting’ style to the ‘standing or kneeling’ style, during an actual race.
The IDBF Competition Regulations allow for ‘Traditional Paddling Style’ (in China sometimes also called the Open Style) races to be held in addition to the ‘sitting down style’ of races, if a Championship Race Organiser chooses to run them, so the IDBF has not banned any particular paddling style.
It is actually up to the IDBF Members and their Race Organizers if they want to implement the IDBF rules in full or not at their own races or if they want to allow paddlers to Stand Up. That is clearly for discussion within the organizations concerned. As far as the IDBF sees things, local races can still carry on with their local traditions or not, as the case may be, as this is entirely up to the organizers.
Why then did the IDBF Members decide on the ‘sitting only’ rule at IDBF events.
Well, there are very good reasons and one is that Stand Up Paddling is more difficult to carry out and includes a higher risk of the boat capsizing, so in terms of crew safety, the ruling is a very wise one.
In terms of ‘paddling technique’ the sitting position is easy to learn and do and is safe too, which means that the sitting style makes the sport easily accessible and simple to take part in, that is, by high performance ‘elite’ paddlers, as the IDBF calls them, as well as ‘novice’ paddlers new to the sport and also people with disabilities.
Most crews from outside of South East Asian and particularly crews from Western countries, are unlikely to know how to stand up and paddle a Dragon Boat. And, even if they do, it would take them many months of training beforehand to perfect the technique involved and even then it is likely to be even more dangerous for them due to different body size and heavier weight. If they stand up their lack of experience coming together with the higher located center of gravity of the crew in the boat, would dramatically increase the danger of accidents and capsizing.
It should be remembered that the IDBF Standard Racing Boat, used by most IDBF Members and based on design of Dragon Boat used in Hong Kong, is made of composite materials and not teak wood. It is therefore much lighter and sits higher in the water than the traditional wooded boats raced in China and can be less stable when paddled in the standing position and thus more liable to capsize.
The sitting position therefore, makes Dragon Boating truly a sport for all and this easy accessibility to the sport and simple paddling technique - for anyone in the world to learn, are the main reasons for the IDBF Ruling.
From the point of view of a world governing body, as the IDBF is, it needs to be concerned about providing worldwide rules which are safe and allow everyone to take part in the sport easily. But also the IDBF has to provide a set of rules which allows for fair and equal racing conditions and a comparability of performance between crews, at all Championship Regattas.
It is for this reason of ‘fair and comparable’ competition that the IDBF rules do not allow paddlers to change from the ‘sitting’ style to the ‘standing or kneeling’ style, during an actual race.
It is also for this reason and for reasons of safety that the IDBF has introduced its ‘Affiliate Dragon Boat Festivals Program’ with the object of setting up a network of international racing events that comply with a common set of international racing rules and regulations. This is important for crews traveling from and to other countries, as they like to know that the racing rules, at least, will be similar or the same as the ones they use in their own Countries.
In conclusion and within all the afore said, local race organizers are encouraged by the IDBF , to preserve local racing traditions which can easily be done by just adding a “Traditional Paddling Style” racing class to their own event.
Henning Wiekhorst
(Member of the IDBF Marketing & Media Commission )
Mike Haslam
( IDBF Executive President)
English Text from
DRAGON BOAT WORLD INTERNATIONAL (Issue 2 - April 2008);
Reprinted here with kind permission.
Chinese translation delegated by
IDBF .
Translated by Edwin Hou , Hong Kong)
（英文本獲授權轉載）
相關文章 ( 延伸閱讀 )Related and Extended Reading:
本網 internal links：
Tradition or Technology - What is best for dragonboating ( Mike Haslam) (English combined version to be published in coming DragonBoat World International magazine
傳統還是科技 － 哪樣對龍舟最好 ( 邁克•哈斯萊姆 與香港代表的對話 ) （上文的延續討論）2008/3-4傳統與發展 - 龍舟划姿爭議的迷思與事實 ( 侯志輝）2008.4.7（本論題的專文評論）
別處 External：
站划與坐划之爭 (fai's blog) 2008-03-13
由今年澳門國際賽不准站划談起 ((fai's blog) 2008-03-10
坐划問題與溝通 (fai's blog) 2008-03-25