Dragon Zone
Paddling Club

School and Youth Group Paddling Programs

Get out of the classroom, and explore the great outdoors! Whether you are in a physical education class looking for a unique experience, visiting Vancouver from elsewhere, or looking for a unique way to develop cross-curricular connections, our fully accessible paddling facility is available year-round to help you deliver curriculum in an exciting way.

Youth/School Group Paddling Session

When: Year-round
Cost: Starting at $15 per student for elementary/secondary school groups, $30 for post-secondary groups
Number of participants: 10-5,000
Chaperones: 1 complimentary teacher chaperone if required for elementary/secondary school groups per 9 students.
Session Duration: Starting at 90 minutes
Boat Types: Dragon boat, single kayak, tandem kayak

This program is for youth/school groups and their supervisors looking for an unforgettable and unique activity that gets them active, experience an ancient sport, and see Vancouver from the water. Each 90 minute session includes all safety and paddling equipment needed.

Dragon Boat: Programs include a dedicated instructor and steersperson that stays with your group for the duration of the session. Groups of 2 classes will even get the chance to race against each other. These turnkey sessions include all necessary paddling and safety equipment, an instructor and steersperson, and 90 minutes on the water. Programs take place rain or shine.

Kayak: Instructor not included. Group leader must also be on the water, and safety boat mandatory extra ($100/hour). Ratio of supervisors to participants determined by Dragon Boat BC at time of booking. Programs take place rain or shine.

Please email [email protected] for more information about our school programs or to book a session.

Cultural Exploration Programming Add-Ons

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens

Dragon Boat BC and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese programs have worked together for decades to promote elements of traditional Chinese culture in the heart of Vancouver. Located just a 10 minute walk away from our docks, the Gardens offer a unique opportunity for you to see one of the world’s finest examples of a classical Chinese garden. Add on programs to your paddling session include:

Dragon Tales – Learn the myths and stories of the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. We will examine life in Ming Dynasty China, explore the history of dragon Boats and make individual good luck charms!

Please email [email protected] for more information and to register.

BC Sports Hall of Fame

Be engaged, educated and enthralled by the most extraordinary accomplishments in sport in BC. Learn about the incredible achievements of British Columbians from previous Olympic and Paralympic Games. Located about a 15 minute walk away from our docks, BC Sports Hall of Fame bridges the worlds of sport and heritage. Add on programs to your paddling session include:

Tour – Explore the BC Sports Hall of Fame and be inspired by BC’s sport heritage! Your group will enjoy a private guide to tour you through the facility and even show you some special hidden artefacts from their archives.

Please email [email protected] for more information and to register.

Youth Dragon Boat Teams

Start up a new team at Dragon Zone Paddling Club, and enjoy all of the benefits of teamwork, friendship, and activity. Options start with 4 sessions and race programs, running up to year-round programs. From practice slots, to coaches and steers, to an entire turnkey operation, we can help you get started.

Youth Programs: Weekly Full-Day Summer Paddling Camps (Ages 8 to 12) – 2024 Information Now Available

Our summer camps are back and better than ever! Learn to paddle, plus learn all the stories that bring paddling to life in our community.

Start Dates: Weekly from the first week of July to last week of August (registration opens in Spring annually)
Duration: 5 days (Monday to Friday) except week of BC Day
Camp Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Drop Off/Pick Up: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM, and 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Fees: $400 per person. 4 day week fees are $325 per person.
Registration: Click here to register

Learn to paddle a range of boats —including kayak, SUP, dragon boat, and flatwater— and explore the culture behind the sport, our community’s stories, and our local marine habitat. Learn skills, make new friends, and be inspired by our community and environment!

Located in the heart of Vancouver in the Olympic Village, Dragon Zone is just minutes away from Canada and Expo Line Skytrain stations, and is conveniently located along the seawall. Participants are expected to bring their own lunches, snacks, and water bottles. Hats, sunscreen and swimming-appropriate clothing are highly recommended. We will provide all boats, paddles, and life jackets. In case of inclement weather, paddling activities will be replaced by land activities. No paddling experience is required. All abilities are welcome.

Highlights

Emphasis on fun, safety and inclusion means all campers have opportunities to succeed, build confidence and make friends.
Mix of team-building activities, games and 1:1 feedback supports goal-directed skill development in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Every camp is a new adventure with weekly themes! Examples include Sports Week, Under the Sea, Around the World, and Community Arts.
NEW: Field trips give campers opportunities to learn about different aspects of paddling: trips to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens teach campers about dragon boat’s 5,000+ year history and current context; or learn about local wildlife and the environment during guided explorations of False Creek’s intertidal zones.
Camp leaders/instructors hold certifications including: First Aid/CPR, NCCP, and from other recognized bodies. A low leader/instructor to camper ratio ensures a high level of safety and support.

Note: Waivers must be signed by parent or guardian for youth under 18

Building community through dragon boat, kayak, and fun.

Dragon Boat BC believes that all youth should have an opportunity to experience sport’s benefits. We support youth participation in sport and culture, regardless of background or ability through the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project. Click here to find out more about the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project.

Since we started our youth programs, more than 20,000 children and youth have gone on the water as part of our programs. Every year, junior teams race for free at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and are provided subsidized registration rates in all of our other events and programs. We also highlight youth talent through the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival’s cultural program and other events throughout the year.

The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society acknowledges its work takes place primarily on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands and waters of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.