There's still time to register for the Level 1 steering course and jump into tonight's call! You don't have to wait for a specific cohort or session ... you can just go to the classroom, find the Level 1 course, pay, and you're in! The call starts at 6pm Eastern. Already blazed through Level 1 and want to get your accreditation for race steering? Apply to join the Level 2 Race Steering Course here

This one's mostly for the steers, but I'd like everyone to weigh in as you feel called to. This week we have two world championships and another slew of mishaps, some more horrific than others. Everyone is quick to blame the steer — and while steer incompetency IS to blame much of the time, there's another elephant in the room... the equipment. The boats Champion has been churning out are tippier every year - especially the short boats. The oars they supply with them are increasingly heavier, thicker, shorter, and harder to handle. Try getting purchase in a turn with one of those things... it can be impossible. Yes, some of that is negated by a crew that is perfectly balanced front to back, side to side, and paddling-strength-wise. But when does that ever truly happen? Even with a PERFECT crew, one person can slip, one person can catch a wave, one person can lean in instead of out... and those things matter. So I'm curious - do you think the equipment needs to be better assessed, tested, regulated too? Making sure our steers have the required competencies is one thing, but imho we also need to make sure that when they get to a race they aren't suddenly fighting 17 new variables (and dangerous ones at that) all at once. Because a crew that practices in a BUK on a flat river is not going to paddle the same way in a champion on waves. let me know your thoughts on this.

Has your club/crew ever staged a capsize drill? If yes, what was the protocol and how would you improve it, if at all? If no, how would you structure one? #level1

If you practice where other boaters (especially motor boaters) are present, make sure you know what the relevant rules of the waterways are. How do you think others with whom you share your waterway(s) perceive dragon boats (i.e. as welcome, an annoyance, etc.)? How could the relationship between dragon boaters and other types of recreational boaters be improved? #level1

What do you call.....?? Let's start a list of regional variants for common commands. e.g. what do you call when you want people to stop paddling? What do you call a sideways hold? Let's hear all the weird and wonderful commands! 👇