Dragon Boating
What is dragon boating? It’s a team sport you can pick up at any time, and, it’s fun! Typically, 20 team members paddle the boat, with a drummer seated on the bow drumming a stroke rate for the paddlers. A steersperson stands at the stern and controls the direction of the boat.
Dragon boats are paddled for recreation and raced competitively around the world and right here in Hartford, Connecticut. Our annual Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival, held in August, draws teams from the northeast and beyond.
Give dragon boating a try – there are so many ways to get involved: be a member of one of our teams, as a one-day team-building experience, full-season teams and unique opportunities to try dragon boating for yourself, your friends, or your organization. Get involved! Register using the links below, or view all open programs.Â
Paddling Programs
Paddler Workouts
Our indoor workouts offer adults of all skill levels the opportunity to boost their fitness, fine-tune the muscles used in paddling, and enjoy the motivation of the group workout environment. Whether you’re gearing up for racing on the water or simply striving to stay in condition during the winter months, this opportunity provides an excellent avenue to achieve your fitness goals. While our training includes the use of the ergometer (Concept 2 rowing machine), our sessions also include components like stretching, core routines, and customized strength training to cater to the requirements of dragon boat paddling. All workout equipment and instructions are provided.
- Session 1: January 7 – February 27, Tuesday/Thursday, 6 – 7:30 pm
- Session 2: March 11 – May 8, Tuesday/Thursday, 6 – 7:30 pm
Post-race Coached Sessions
After the Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, we hear from paddlers on our Community Teams that they want more! So we listened and we will paddle on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays! During this time we also hold our long paddle where we paddle to Windsor and back.
- August 19 – September 11, Tuesday/Thursday, 6 – 7 pm (8 sessions)
- August 20 – September 17, Monday/Wednesday, 6 – 7 pm (8 sessions – no session September 1)
All dragon boat programs are held at the Riverfront Boathouse in Riverside Park, located at 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT.
Join a Team
Women on Water
June 5 – July 24, Thursdays, 5:40 to 7 PM (8 practices)
DragonFire
June 2 – July 23 , Monday/Wednesday, 5:40 to 7:00 pm (16 practices)
All dragon boat programs are held at the Riverfront Boathouse in Riverside Park, located at 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT
Register a Team
Register a team to compete in our annual Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, with racing at club and community levels! Learn more here.
Dragon Boat Experience –Â Team Building
Get out on the Connecticut River for a transformative team-building experience! Led by expert instructors, your team will synchronize paddling, fostering communication, trust, and collaboration. Join us for an unforgettable day that syncs colleagues and strengthens bonds. Are you interested in the sport of dragon boating, and looking for something you don’t see listed above? Use the form below to let us know, and we’ll be in touch. Questions? Contact Marilyn Rodriguez by email.Â