Learn to Paddle – Introduction for individuals

Dragon Boating is a truly inclusive sport that promotes friendship, cultural understanding, health and sustainability. Almost anyone can take part and just one experience of dragon boating is often the beginning of a life-long commitment to paddling.

Come and discover all the magic around Dragon Boating and the many positions to fill on a Dragon Boat Team (Drummer, Paddler and Steersperson). Discover how fast the boats can travel when everything and everyone is magically synchronized to the beat of the Drum. A great way to meet new people and get fit at the same time.

Adult teams may also wish to socialize at a nearby pub/restaurant after the session.

This four-week course will cover all the basics you need to join a dragon boat team.

Intro courses that start in April, May, July, and August give new paddlers an opportunity to race in either the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival or the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival. All equipment is provided but be prepared to get wet! No experience necessary. Participant does not need to know how to swim, but all participants MUST wear the supplied life jacket (PFD).

2012 Start Dates Vancouver
April 13th, May 8th, May 11th, June 22nd,
July 10th, July 13th, July 31st, August 3rd, September 7th and September 28th
2012 Start Dates Richmond
April 11th, May 9th, May 10th, June 27th, June 28th, July 25th, July 26th
and September 5th

Attention Coupon Holders. To register, please email Us. Include your name(s), start date you prefer, phone number, email and your age.

Learn to paddle – Instruction for groups

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before starting a dragon boat team!
What are your team and/or individual goals? Fun, fitness, social, competition?

How many practices do you want per week? Beginner teams may only have/want 8-10 practices in total, more skilled teams may practice from 1 to 5 times/week. The average recreational level team paddles once per week starting in March or April.

What commitment level do you expect from your team members? Will everyone be able to make most of the practices? Remember that team members must be available all day, both days of festival weekend.

You will need to find a practice venue if you are a self managing team. Fees vary, as will the facilities that are available (e.g., change rooms, showers, equipment, free or pay parking, coaching resources etc). The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival society runs Dragon Zone, a full service practice club. The Vancouver Dragon Zone is located on False Creek, near Science World. The Richmond Dragon Zone is located at the Richmond Yacht Club on River Road. Dragon Zone has more than 80 teams practicing from the two facilities, and has a fun, vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

Some teams find their own coach. Many teams favour the turn-key approach and let the Society organize the practices, coaching and race details. Do you have the funds to pay a coach? What do you expect from him/her?

Do you have anyone interested in being the steersperson? Someone with canoeing, sailing or other boating experience would be a good starting point. This position is important for safety reasons and it will be important to ensure that this person gets the right training (from a coach or by attending steering clinics put on during the dragon boat season).

Is anyone interested in being the drummer? Ideally you want someone small, light and loud for this position, but anyone will do. It’s not as easy as it looks, but paddling isn’t either.

Many teams have some sort of organizational structure, but this may not be necessary for all teams:

a non-paddling manager who organizes the team
a team captain (or co-captains), voted on by the team after the season starts
steering committee
various other committees as you see fit (e.g., social, travel, communication, team uniforms, finance, etc)

Please email us for more information! We would love to see you and your team on the water and will help you in anyway we can!


Tweet Home The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival Race Information Registration for Festivals and Regattas Dragon Zone/Register to Practice Learn to Paddle/Join A Team Join a Team Friday Drop-Ins Junior Programs Women's Programs Skill Improvement Courses & Workshops Outrigger Kayak Corporate Programs Boat Rentals Sponsorship Volunteer Special Events Who We Are Media		Learn to Paddle – Introduction for individuals Dragon Boating is a truly inclusive sport that promotes friendship, cultural understanding, health and sustainability. Almost anyone can take part and just one experience of dragon boating is often the beginning of a life-long commitment to paddling. Come and discover all the magic around Dragon Boating and the many positions to fill on a Dragon Boat Team (Drummer, Paddler and Steersperson). Discover how fast the boats can travel when everything and everyone is magically synchronized to the beat of the Drum. A great way to meet new people and get fit at the same time. Adult teams may also wish to socialize at a nearby pub/restaurant after the session. This four-week course will cover all the basics you need to join a dragon boat team. Intro courses that start in April, May, July, and August give new paddlers an opportunity to race in either the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival or the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival. All equipment is provided but be prepared to get wet! No experience necessary. Participant does not need to know how to swim, but all participants MUST wear the supplied life jacket (PFD). 2012 Start Dates Vancouver April 13th, May 8th, May 11th, June 22nd, July 10th, July 13th, July 31st, August 3rd, September 7th and September 28th 2012 Start Dates Richmond April 11th, May 9th, May 10th, June 27th, June 28th, July 25th, July 26th and September 5th Attention Coupon Holders. To register, please email Us. Include your name(s), start date you prefer, phone number, email and your age. Learn to paddle – Instruction for groups Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before starting a dragon boat team! What are your team and/or individual goals? Fun, fitness, social, competition? How many practices do you want per week? Beginner teams may only have/want 8-10 practices in total, more skilled teams may practice from 1 to 5 times/week. The average recreational level team paddles once per week starting in March or April. What commitment level do you expect from your team members? Will everyone be able to make most of the practices? Remember that team members must be available all day, both days of festival weekend. You will need to find a practice venue if you are a self managing team. Fees vary, as will the facilities that are available (e.g., change rooms, showers, equipment, free or pay parking, coaching resources etc). The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival society runs Dragon Zone, a full service practice club. The Vancouver Dragon Zone is located on False Creek, near Science World. The Richmond Dragon Zone is located at the Richmond Yacht Club on River Road. Dragon Zone has more than 80 teams practicing from the two facilities, and has a fun, vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Some teams find their own coach. Many teams favour the turn-key approach and let the Society organize the practices, coaching and race details. Do you have the funds to pay a coach? What do you expect from him/her? Do you have anyone interested in being the steersperson? Someone with canoeing, sailing or other boating experience would be a good starting point. This position is important for safety reasons and it will be important to ensure that this person gets the right training (from a coach or by attending steering clinics put on during the dragon boat season). Is anyone interested in being the drummer? Ideally you want someone small, light and loud for this position, but anyone will do. It’s not as easy as it looks, but paddling isn’t either. Many teams have some sort of organizational structure, but this may not be necessary for all teams: a non-paddling manager who organizes the team a team captain (or co-captains), voted on by the team after the season starts steering committee various other committees as you see fit (e.g., social, travel, communication, team uniforms, finance, etc) Please email us for more information! We would love to see you and your team on the water and will help you in anyway we can!