DHVT began in 2004 as a breast cancer survivor dragon boat team. Today, we are this and so much more. Dragonheart Vermont stands as a 200-member club (and growing) with 10 different crews catering to survivors and supporters; males and females; young and not-so-young athletes; recreational to elite paddlers. We work together to get fitter and stronger while having a blast! The fact is we have become good at paddling. Some of our crews have raced dragon boats all around the world and are national and world champs. All of our crews enjoy paddling together and laughing together. There is nothing like the rush of racing a dragon boat and feeling the wind in our faces and the glide that occurs when 20 paddlers are paddling as one!
COmpetitive Crews
Dragonheart Vermont sent seven competitive crews [Sisters, Fire, Dragonflyers, Green Mountain Men, Green Mountain Girls (as a reconstituted crew known as 802 Spirit), Blazing Comets (as a 10-person crew know as Bia), and Quicksilver] to the United States Dragon Boat Federation’s Club Crew National Championships in Sarasota, Florida in July 2023.
Six crews earned the opportunity to compete in the International Dragon Boat Federations Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy in September 2024. Wish us well!
Sisters
Our most competitive Breast Cancer Survivor Team
2023: US National Champions (Small Boat)
2022: Club Crew World Championship – Silver Medalists
2019: US National Champions
2018: Club Crew World Championship – Silver Medalists
2017: US National Champions
2015: US National Championship – Silver Medalists
2014: Club Crew World Championship – Bronze Medalists
2013: US National Champions
2012: Club Crew World Championship – Gold and Silver Medalists
Green Mountain Girls
Senior B Women’s Team – 50 years and older
2023: Club Crew National Championship (Competing as 802 Spirit) – Bronze Medalists
2019: US National Champions
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2017: US National Champions
2015: US National Champions
2014: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2013: US National Champions
Dragonflyers
Premier Mixed Team – 18 years and older
2023: Competitors at Club Crew National Championship – Qualfiers to Club Crew World Championship
2019: Qualfiers to Club Crew World Championship
Quicksilver
Senior C Mixed Team – 60 years and older
2023: Club Crew National Championship – Bronze Medalists
2022: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2019: Eastern Region Champions
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2017: US National Champions
2015: US National Champions
2014: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2013: US National Champions
Fire
Premier Women’s Team – 18 years and older
2023: Club Crew National Championship – Bronze Medalists
2019: US National Champions
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
Blazing Comets
Senior C Women’s Team – 60 years and older
2023: Club Crew National Championship (Competing as Bia, Small Boat) – Bronze Medalists
2022: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2019: Eastern Region Champions
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2017: US National Champions
2014: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2013: US National Champions
Fifty Force
Senior B Mixed Team – 50 Years and Older
2019: US National Champions
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2017: US National Champions
2015: US National Champions
2014: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship
2013: US National Champions
Green Mountain Men
Men of all ages – Race in various classes
2023: Competitors at Club Crew National Championships – Qualifiers to Club Crew World Championships
2018: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship (Sr B)
2017: US National Champions (Sr B)
2014: Competitors at Club Crew World Championship (Sr B)
2013: US National Champions (Sr B)
Recreational Crews
Catch 22
Our team for recreational and new paddlers of all ages and genders. This is our team from 2019. Look closely, and you’ll see half a dozen of these paddlers in the more recent pictures of the competitive crews above!
Soul Sisters
Our Breast Cancer Survivor Team for personal fitness, fun and camaraderie.
Information on Joining The Dragonheart Team
Dragonheart Vermont wants those interested in joining the organization to understand our mission and to experience paddling before signing up. We generally hold information sessions for interested paddlers in the early spring and run “Try Paddling nights” on the water in early summer and again after our Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival.
Submit your membership application form.
Public Race Schedule
During the 2023 season some of our crews competed at the following regional festivals and national competitions. Stay tuned for our 2024 plans!
July 1 & 2: Montreal Dragon Boat Challenge, Montreal, Quebec
July 21 – 23: United States Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew National Championships, Sarasota, FL
August 19: Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, Hartford Connecticut
September 16-17: Quebec Cup, Montreal, Quebec
September 24: Gilda’s Club New Hampshire Dragon Boat Festival, Laconia New Hampshire
