Paddle in a dragon boat crew
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
A dragon boat only moves well when every paddle enters the water at the same instant, so it is one of the purest team efforts in sport. A racing crew typically needs at least 20 people, which is why clubs are usually glad to see a newcomer.
ModerateUnder £100 / $130A few weeksOutdoorsWith othersUK and US
How to start
- Find your nearest crew through the club list on the British Dragon Boat Racing Association site, or through the regions pages of the United States Dragon Boat Federation.
- Email the club and ask to join a training session as a guest paddler.
- Take clothes that can get splashed, as the club provides the paddle and buoyancy aid.
Where to go
- British Dragon Boat Racing Association club list UK
- United States Dragon Boat Federation (US national governing body) US
We opened these links on 7 October 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. The hard part of a day out is the timing: the right season, tickets and getting there. The plan watches the calendar for you.
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