The Collingwood Sidelaunchers are the CPC's dragon boat team. We are made up of participants of all ages and abilities. We hold practices on water with our coach on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30pm-8:00pm (weather permitting) from May until late September. We also offer a more relaxed and social practice without a coach most Sundays from 9:00-10:00am. Members in our full dragon boat membership participate in practices, training, and regattas throughout the season.
The club emphasizes good sportsmanship and participation. Regattas are an exciting and engaging way to put skills and sportsmanship together as a team. Regardless of whether you paddle for fun or fitness, or whether you like to race, dragon boat paddling is an excellent way to improve fitness, be outdoors and enjoy the company of like minded-people on Collingwood's historic harbour. We hope you join us when we put our PADDLES UP!
In addition to the full benefits of Collingwood Paddling Club membership – Open Paddle, Masters Paddling, Endurance Paddling, we are offering a wider range of Dragon Boat programs this year – hopefully there is something that interests you.
Sidelaunchers Orientation - Back by popular demand
Are you new to Dragon Boat, or you did it a long time ago but really would like a refresher? This program is for you! We are offering a four-week coached session to introduce you to Dragon boat. Two sessions are being offered: May 21 – June 11 and June 25 – July 16. Each session will take place on Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:00pm. Enrolment is limited.
Participants will be taught Dragonboat safety, paddling skills, and will be familiarized with the Collingwood Dragonboat program. The coach will conduct a skills assessment and make recommendations as to next steps. At the end of the four-week session we hope you decide to join us as a member of the paddling club and the dragon boat team. By joining the paddling club at the end of your session, a portion of your Orientation Session fee will be applied to a full club membership.
FEES: $75, includes Basic Membership Fee, session 1; May 21 – June 11, session 2; June 25 – July 16.
Sidelaunchers Dragon Boat Team
We hope to be on the water by the beginning of May! Weather permitting, we will continue to paddle through September / early October. Returning paddlers will be able to purchase a full paddling club membership directly with a registration code provided to them.
New paddlers should register for the Sidelaunchers Orientation program. If you are an experienced Dragon boat paddler from another club or have some dragon boat experience, reach out to sidelaunchdragons@gmail.com and we will recommend the best fit for you.
FEES: $400, includes Basic Membership Fee
Proposed Dragon boat Festivals for 2025:
The opportunity to attend Dragonboat festivals (regattas) will be offered to all paddlers this season. At least one Dragon boat (22 paddlers) will compete in each of the 4 festivals below. It would be fantastic if there was sufficient interest in participating to allow us to send 2 boats!
• Port Perry on Scugog Lake June 14
• Hamilton Lakefront Park July 5
• Barrie August 16
• Stratford September 13
There is an additional cost for participation in each of these regattas.
Participation will be based on paddler availability for the regattas, ability to attend pre-festival practices, and Coach’s selection. Festival attendance is not mandatory and paddlers wishing to participate in the program for fun and fitness are heartily welcome. You will enjoy the season!
Questions? Interested paddlers should contact cdbccinfo@gmail.com