SD Alliance is a nonprofit organization that also works as the San Diego Dragon Boat Alliance. Different areas that need help: Marshaling: - each dragon boat team consists of 18 paddlers, with a drummer in front and steersperson in back of boat; each team assembles in what is called a marshaling area - marshals keep teams in order in marshaling area, and if needed, run to remind teams that it's their turn to line up - marshals make sure each paddler puts on pfd (personal flotation device, also called life vests) and has paddle before getting into boat - marshals make sure each paddler takes off pfd and puts paddle back after races Loading/unloading/clearing boats - boat marshals help paddlers get onto and off boats - boat marshals scoop out water in boats in-between races to clear boat for next race Finish line - finish line officials use stop watches to record when boats cross finish line - finish line officials record results on bulletin board in public area for all teams to see