Dragon Boats are teak or fiberglass long boats and consists of teams comprised of 20 paddlers, a drummer and steersperson. Race distances can range from 200m sprints, to 9km races which can be held wherever open water can be found.
While Dragon Boating has been around for 2500 years, it is only in recent history that it is gaining renewed popularity. Dragon Boating was a demonstration sport at the previous Summer Olympics and is gaining much support worldwide. It has now become the fastest growing sport in North America.
The Kelowna Dragon Boat Club was formed in 1999 to fill a gap within the Okanagan as part of this growing sports trend. The appeal of this sport is that it is a fun, social event that focuses on team building while promoting a healthy lifestyle, yet appeals to a diverse age group with varying fitness levels.
Ivan Carothers is the Founder and Head Coach of the Kelowna Dragon Boat Club. He is currently working on his 4th- 5th Level National Coaching Certification. He has extensive international competitive dragon boat racing experience and has a solid reputation in the dragon boat community across British Columbia. He has helped to form numerous clubs across the province, and has trained Survivor and Blind paddler teams to competitive level.
The Kelowna Dragon Boat Club has over 400 paddlers with 80% comprised of women in their 20’s to 70’s. The club has a Masters’ team (55+) whom earned a Gold Medal at the BC Senior’s Summer Games in 2008. Last year, KDBC saw an increased interest in co-ed mixed teams as well as an inaugural junior mixed team comprised of 13-18 year olds. The junior team competed in two festivals and placed well among the adult teams while earning two gold medals in their division.
2009 also saw the development of the KDBC Spirit Team, a competitive women’s team comprised of paddlers representing 6 different club teams. Despite a short season, limited practices and no racing experience, the team placed 7th in their division at the International San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival, an outstanding performance given the caliber of competition in the 140 teams attending this festival. The KDBC Spirit team well represented their club and community and were nominated the most improved team, and the team to watch out for in future festivals.
OUR MISSION: To provide a SAFE, ENTHUSIASTIC and INSPIRATIONAL Dragon Boat experience that promotes a lifelong healthy mindset, fitness, camaraderie and teamwork.
In 2009, the KDBC Paddling Society initiated the development of the Junior Development Program in order for teenage children to participate in Dragon Boating. The program allows kids aged between 13 and 18 years of age to participate in a sport that focuses on team work, spirit, inclusiveness and promotes fitness regardless of athleticism levels or experience.
Two schools were initially approached as test case scenarios: KLO Middle School and Kelowna Secondary School.
Subsequently, with a few participants from Dr. Knox Middle School included, two co-ed teams were formed with paddlers ranging in age from 12-18 years old, coming from different sociological backgrounds, sizes, shapes, athletic prowess or lack thereof! Despite their differences, they came with a great attitude and open mind to learn something new and to step outside of their comfort levels.
Six practices were held. The paddlers learned a complex stroke, terminology and how to move and stop a two metric ton boat in a safe and nurturing environment. Of the two teams created, 20 paddlers returned to compete as a team in their first festival, July 2009 in Kelowna.
The team performed well both on and off the water. They inspired each other, as well as all of the adult and master teams and spectators attending the festival. They became true ambassadors of the sport and the community while developing great camaraderie among each other. Their spirit and focus earned them a gold medal, but more importantly strong support in a close knit dragon boat community. The team became motivated to remain together and compete in a second festival.
Despite only four additional practices, the team competed in the September 2009 Penticton Dragon Boat Festival against stronger and more experienced adult teams. Their exuberant energy, focus and drive were not to be denied and the team placed in the top ten of overall festival results, earning them another gold medal for their efforts.
