Among the issues they raised: Is it feasible to participate only in races that comply with International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) guidelines? Do paddlers really need to practise capsize drills?

On Nov 23 last year, five members of the Singapore dragon boat team drowned after taking part in a river race in Cambodia.

Last Friday, a nine-member panel released its findings on the accident. It noted several factors which led to the tragedy: unfamiliarity with race conditions, low safety awareness and lack of preparation.

Its recommendations included how Singapore rowers can now take part only in races that comply with guidelines set by the IDBF. It also said that the Singapore Dragon Boat Association and affiliates should comply with IDBF water safety guidelines.

Ms Chyan Shiang Chi, 29, a member of the women's national team, said that rowers will 'miss the chance to gain racing experience' if they limited themselves to IDBF-linked races.

Several paddlers also expressed doubts that capsize drills would be useful locally. Most said they have not experienced or seen a dragon boat capsize here.

In his 10 years of rowing, Mr Adrian Lee, 30, who works in a bank, said he had encountered only one such incident.

Undergraduate Eugene Wong, 24, who has been rowing for two years, agreed and added: 'It will be quite dangerous to practise capsizing a boat, too, because it is heavy.'

Still, some are not taking any chances.

Mr Tan Eng Choon, 39, vice-captain of the Hewlett-Packard dragon boat team, said he will be proposing the addition of a capsize drill to his team-mates.

Generally, though, those interviewed agreed that the safety awareness levels must be raised.

'If you ask me to describe dragon boating in one word, I'd say team bonding, not life jackets,' said Ms Lee Su Ling, 19, who used to row with the National Junior College dragon boat team.

Speaking to reporters after a community event yesterday, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan also referred to a need to change mindsets.

It was a 'dangerous attitude' to take safety for granted, he said.

'We must understand what risks are involved in whatever activity that we pursue, and we take appropriate and sensible precautions,' he said.