About Us
We grow people. Through the sport of dragon boat racing, we help raise people to their highest potential.
You Can Be More
We teach our athletes how to reach their potential in sport and in life in the relentless pursuit of competitive greatness.
In sport, as in life, we all face challenges, often daunting ones. Verdun Dragon Boat Club trains its members to stand firm, not to avoid problems, but to triumph over them.
Competitive sport requires physical skill and systems of technical and mental training that prepare athletes for high-level performance. Verdun DBC members begin with physical conditioning as a primary athletic function for competition. Our members learn the paddling technique of champions, the gains from sports nutrition, the strength that comes form emotional balance. Our members master setting and achieving goals, attaining focus, winning with class and losing with grace, and what it means to be part of a team. They can become leaders in sport and in their own lives.
You Can Be More
We teach our athletes how to reach their potential in sport and in life in the relentless pursuit of competitive greatness.
In sport, as in life, we all face challenges, often daunting ones. Verdun Dragon Boat Club trains its members to stand firm, not to avoid problems, but to triumph over them.
Competitive sport requires physical skill and systems of technical and mental training that prepare athletes for high-level performance. Verdun DBC members begin with physical conditioning as a primary athletic function for competition. Our members learn the paddling technique of champions, the gains from sports nutrition, the strength that comes form emotional balance. Our members master setting and achieving goals, attaining focus, winning with class and losing with grace, and what it means to be part of a team. They can become leaders in sport and in their own lives.
Awards
Verdun Dragon Boat Club is proud of its consistent level of athletic achievement. Members of our club compete locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Our Core Values
Core values are the expectations and standards that coaches and athletes use to hold each other accountable and build a culture of excellence. We have six core values.
Athlete-centred
We take an athlete-centred approach to sport, placing athlete development at the core of our coaching philosophy.
Respect and Trust
We trust and respect our coaches and athletes at all times. We believe we should act in a manner deserving of their trust and respect, too.
Family
Our team is our family. We are all interconnected, supported and together.
Success
We continually strive for success, seeking to always achieve our goals, setting new ones as we progress.
Personal Growth
We set an example to others by setting and achieving our goals. We lift others as we climb.
Fun
We party as hard as we train.
Verdun Dragon Boat Club
Management
Established in 2003, the Verdun Dragon Boat Club is a not-for-profit organization (NPO) registered in the Province of Quebec. It is governed by a board of directors and its day-to-day affairs are managed by an elected group of volunteer officers. The coaching staff is hired by the board of directors. Team captains, appointed by their respective coaches, are the managers’ link with the teams.
It takes a team of talented and dedicated people working effectively together to run a dragon boat club. Here’s our management team.
Officers and Directors
Adrienne Hardy
General Manager
Chair of the Board
Grace Fuyura
Secretary
Sterling Lambert
Treasurer
Adrienne Hardy
Manager, Competitions
Nissa Barkat
Manager, Dragon Boat Experience
Angela Lowson
Manager, Member Services
Baptiste Bauvin
Manager, Technology
Meghan Atherton
Director
Zoë Dalery
Director
Naeem Khalid
Director
Angela Lowson
Vice-chair of the board
Keith O'Brien
Director
Team Captains
Marie-Claude
Brassard
Force
Angela
Lowson
Vie Force
Coaches
Ira E. Lax
Head Coach
Sheri Cameron
Coach
FAQ
Have a question? We can help.
All you need is passion, commitment and believe in team spirit. No dragon boat experience is necessary.
Everyone 12 years old or more can participate. Our youngest participant ever was 12 years old and our oldest was 78 years.
We practice in two places, one across the street from the other, depending upon the season. During the racing season, from May to mid-September, we practice in dragon boats on the Lachine Canal (5727 St. Patrick Street). In the pre-season, from November to May, we train indoors in a special paddling pool (5524 St. Patrick Street). For directions or to see a map, visit Training.
Verdun Dragon Boat Club is a not-for-profit organization that operates on a cost-recovery basis, and members contribute towards the club’s general expenses. From November to May, you get: weekly training in an indoor paddling facility with a coach; personalized gym programs, and fitness assessments, all for $430. The fee is pro-rated over time, so late joiners pay less.
Members can expect to cover their travel and accommodation expenses for out-of-town competitions. Equipment is provided for free.
We make payment easy. Verdun DBC accepts payment by e-transfer and by cheque.
For most of the summer racing-season, from May to mid-September, a t-shirt, quick-dry shorts and sandals are recommended. From November to May, during the pre-season, we suggest you wear a t-shirt, quick-dry shorts and sandals, paddling shoes or old sneakers.
Competitions give you the chance to travel with Verdun Dragon Boat Club. We compete regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally. The national championships are frequently held at Welland in southern Ontario. International competitions include world championships (usually in Asia, Europe or North America) and the Pan American championships (anywhere in the Americas).
As an extra benefit, we organize your travel and accommodations for you for all out-of-town competitions. For details, visit Competitions.
Training with us gives you the chance to be fit all year round. We practice in a dragon boat once or twice a week — Monday and Wednesday evenings — during the summer racing season, from May to mid-September. During the winter pre-season, from November to May, we practice in the evening once a week indoor in a special paddling pool on Tuesdays. Practices last an hour. Visit Training for details.
