Training Information
Local Practice and Training Information
Explore the benefits of Dragon Boating by joining a local club! Whether you are an individual looking for a recreational summer sport, something to add to your year-round fitness program, or a competitive athlete aspiring to compete at National and International events, the clubs in town offer programs to suit your needs.
Looking for an effective team building experience? Corporations and Organizations should inquire about special Corporate Training Programs available.
The waters around Victoria allow for year-round paddling opportunities. Check out each of the clubs below to find your perfect fit:
The Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre
Located in the award winning Selkirk Waterfront Community, GRPC offers rowing, dragon boating, outrigger canoeing and kayaking programs for all ages and experience levels. From introductory to competitive levels, GRPC has a program for you! Come and enjoy Victoria's best water for rowing and paddling.
Phone: (250) 658-6333 Email: info@gorowandpaddle.org for more information.
The Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club
The Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club (VCKC) is a recreational paddling club based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The club is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the promotion of safe and skillful paddling on Vancouver Island and in the surrounding waters. The club includes a diverse paddling community and supports six paddling programs, giving members a wide range of paddling opportunities. Members may participate in any Club programs.
Email: dragonboat@vckc.ca for more information.
Whether you're looking for fun and fitness with recreational paddling or for the Gorging Dragons high performance program that will have you competing against the best paddlers in the world, at VI Paddling you'll find the support, coaching, and guidance to reach your dragon boat goals. Not-for-profit and member-driven, VI Paddling's programs operate from the scenic Vic West Community Centre.
Email: gdpaddler@shaw.ca for more information.
Victoria Youth Paddling Club Society (VYPC)
VYPC is a local youth paddling club providing opportunities to participate in sprint kayak, high kneel canoeing, outrigger canoeing and dragon boating right in the heart of our city. Our club is a not for profit organization that believes in "Creating Paddlers for Life" either recreationally or competitively. Our youth have competed locally, regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally. We believe that through competitive fun we are able to meet the needs of youth and older youth in our community. Come join us!
Email: Commodore@vypc.ca for more information.
Merlin Excalibur Data Acquisition Paddle
Merlin, a dragon boat gear manufacturer in Australia, has developed a powerful coaching tool called the Excalibur. It's a carbon fibre paddle fitted with strain and positional sensors that allow almost every aspect of a paddler's stroke to be recorded and analyzed. Now paddlers can get timely, quantitative feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. As part of our commitment to support the development of Vancouver Island paddlers, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society has purchased a Merlin Excalibur Data Acquisition Paddle and is working with our partners, the Gorging Dragons, to ensure local paddlers and teams have access to this exciting technology.
Gorging Dragons Stroke Improvement Clinic
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Take your dragon boat skills to the next level with a clinic hosted by Vancouver Island's top team, the Gorging Dragons, and sponsored by the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. This is your chance to receive hands-on coaching from some of the country's best paddlers, and to have your stroke analyzed by the Merlin Excalibur data acquisition paddle. Clinics will begin in April. Visit the Gorging Dragons website for more information on dates, locations and how to register! |
Platinum Clinic
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This 3-hour clinic, suitable for paddlers and coaches, will give you the building blocks to a more efficient and effective paddle stroke. The session begins with a dry-land session on stroke technique and theory, followed by an on-water session that includes individual instruction, videotaping, and use of the Excalibur paddle. The session concludes with video analysis and review of the Excalibur data. Cost $40/person. |
Diamond Clinic
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This clinic is geared for more competitive teams that are already using video to improve their stroke technique. Participating teams receive initial instruction in the use of the Excalibur paddle and, following a water session in which each paddler uses the paddle, a Gorging Dragons coach will review the data with each paddler to help them analyze and improve their effectiveness in the water. Cost $25/person. |
Jade Clinic
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Once your coach or team has received training in the use of the Excalibur in one of the clinics above, track your team's progress with a self-directed follow-up session using the Excalibur. Cost is by donation to the Gorging Dragons, plus a $500 refundable deposit. |
