FAQs

No. Dragonheart Vermont welcomes anyone who supports our mission — breast cancer survivors, supporters, paddlers who just love the sport, and non-paddlers who want to volunteer and give back. The only requirement is that you're 14 years or older.

About one-quarter of our members are breast cancer survivors. The rest are supporters, athletes, and community members who showed up and stayed.

The Annual Paddling membership is $300. Breast cancer survivors pay a reduced rate of $100 per year, thanks to a fundraising initiative launched in 2025 to make the club more accessible.

Be Part of Our Crew

That's up to you. New paddlers start with Catch 22, which practices once a week (currently Thursday nights). Most competitive teams practice twice a week. Some members paddle every chance they get; others come when they can. You decide your own level of commitment.

Fair warning: it's addictive. You might find yourself out there more than you planned.

When you sign up, you'll tell us about your goals — competitive racing, recreational paddling, fitness, or just trying something new. Everyone starts with Catch 22 to learn the fundamentals, and from there the coaching staff helps match you to a team based on your age, interests, and how much you want to commit.

See Our Teams

No. Most of our members are women — about 75% to 80% — but men are welcome, always have been, and are an important part of the club. We have men's crews, mixed crews, and teams open to paddlers of any gender.

Dragon boat paddling is a team paddle sport. Twenty paddlers sit two by two in a 41-foot boat, stroking in unison with single-bladed paddles. A drummer keeps the pace at the front and a steersperson guides the boat from the back. The sport is practiced in over 80 countries and engages more than 50 million people worldwide.

It's paddling, not rowing — you face forward and pull the paddle through the water (like a canoe), rather than facing backward with oars.

No. In dragon boating, you use a paddle and face forward. In rowing, you use oars and face backward. Different equipment, different technique, different sport.

Dragon boat racing is sprint-based. Races range from 200 meters to 2,000 meters — short, intense distances. Training focuses on power and speed, not long-distance cruising. You can choose to paddle recreationally and skip races, but even recreational practices have intensity. That said, you control how much energy you put into each stroke.

Everyone is a beginner at some point. Catch 22 — our new-paddler program — is designed to teach you proper technique from the ground up, regardless of your athletic background. Some of our strongest paddlers came to their first practice with zero experience in any water sport.

Yes. Dragon boating is a full-body workout that builds cardiovascular endurance, upper body and core strength, and coordination. And because you're training with a team, the accountability and energy of the group make it easier to push yourself than working out alone.

Clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet. That's it. Bring a water bottle — especially on hot evenings.

No. Dragonheart Vermont has paddles, life vests (PFDs), and seat pads you can borrow. Members who get more serious about the sport often buy their own gear over time, but nothing is required upfront.

Rarely. Dragon boats are large and stable in the water. Capsizing is uncommon, and when it does happen, there's a safety protocol in place. You'll always wear a life vest, and your seatmate has your back.

We can work with that. Our coaches offer accommodations so you can participate safely. Talk to us about what you need — we'll figure it out together.

As long as the water temperature is above 50°F — usually late May through early October. Yes, we really do paddle all summer.

Most teams practice twice per week during the season. Catch 22 (new paddlers) meets once a week on Thursday nights. There are also additional opportunities like Tuesday morning HIT sessions, weekend minicamps, and outrigger canoe paddling.

That's fine. You set your own schedule. Some people paddle multiple times a week; some come when life allows. There's no penalty for missing a practice.

It's Dragonheart Vermont's annual charity event, held every August on the Burlington waterfront. Community members, businesses, and organizations form teams, learn to paddle, race dragon boats, and raise money for Vermont cancer survivors. The festival has been running since 2006 and has raised over $1 million for local cancer-related organizations.

The festival is a one-day community event open to everyone. You form a team (or join one as a free agent), get one practice session on the water beforehand, and race on festival day. The club is a year-round membership organization where you paddle regularly, train with a team, and compete in regional, national, and international races.

Each community team gets one 90-minute practice session on the waterfront, usually two weeks before the festival. No prior experience needed.

None at all. Most community teams are made up of first-time paddlers. You'll get coaching during your practice session and on race day.

Learn About the Festival

One hundred percent of Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival donations stay local. Funds support Dragonheart Vermont's programs and our annual pledge partners — Vermont-based organizations serving cancer survivors. Since 2006, the club has raised and distributed over $1 million to the community.

Dragonheart Vermont's general fundraising covers club operations and equipment. Teams are allowed to fundraise separately for travel to competitions — and those fundraisers are always clearly identified as travel-specific.

Absolutely! Both Dragonheart Vermont and the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival invite you to dedicate your donation in honor of someone who might be dealing with a cancer diagnosis or a supporter of our cause. We also offer the option to recognize the memory of a loved one who has passed. Just check the ‘Dedicate this gift’ box during the checkout on our donation form.

Dragonheart Vermont is one of the largest dragon boat clubs in the country, with over 250 members across 12 teams. But size isn't what makes us different — it's the combination of competitive paddling, breast cancer survivorship support, community fundraising, and volunteerism all in one organization. About 25% of our members are breast cancer survivors. The rest are supporters who paddle alongside them, volunteer, and help run the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival.

Our members also give back beyond the club — volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Hope Lodge and participating in community drives and events year-round.

No. There are dragon boat clubs across the country and around the world, but we're the only Dragonheart Vermont. We're based in Burlington, we paddle on Lake Champlain, and everything we raise stays in Vermont.

The quickest way to reach us is by sending us a message through our contact form or by email at info@dragonheartvermont.org. Our mailing address is in the footer if you prefer the old-fashioned route.