MEET THE TEAM
GOAL
The Water Vipers DBC aims to be the highest performing ‘twice-per-week’ dragon boat team in Toronto. We aspire to be the best dragon boat crew without having to sacrifice other commitments in life.
VISION
We are committed at doing more with less, by striving for efficient training with effective methods to deliver consistently high performing results. We train with a mindset guided by focused training that screams quality over quantity.
VALUES
Everything we do is inspired by our core values:
Fitness. Inclusiveness. Growth. Development. Passion.
Like a compass, these values guide us and help determine what we do and who we are.
2019 Team photo at Woodstock Dragon Boat Festival
WE ARE A CREW BUT A CREW WITHIN
A COMMUNITY OF THE PAST AND PRESENT
The Water Vipers Dragon Boat Team was founded in 2008 by alumnus from University of Toronto. Over the years, Water Vipers has grown into a multicultural and diverse team with community members mixed with young graduates from schools across Ontario. Our lives are hectic as anyone of you will experience, but we always find the time and resources to improve as athletes. With a great balance between being competitive and having fun, Water Vipers has outperformed expectations year after year without having to sacrifice the biggest moments of our lives.
Since 2008, Water Vipers has helped to grow plenty of enduring paddlers with many went on to accomplish bigger things. As a crew we are also a community because we can't be where we are today without the past and we can't move forward without the present. We value each and everyone's contribution to the team over the years in creating a lasting legacy within our community.
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
As a well-proven coach, Nikola has nearly 10 years of experience designing paddling programs and coaching at all levels including youth, university, premier, senior women, and novice adults. Nikola has successfully adapted high performance approach in these varied settings to achieve unprecedented results for each crew, but more importantly, Nikola possesses a deep understanding of the sport thus rewarding meaningful engagement for each athlete.
Andrew's experience in dragon boating spans 14+ years and has been leading the Water Vipers since 2008! His understanding of the challenges recreational athletes face in balancing life and a competitive sport allows him to develop sustainable on-water training program while have fun at the same time. • Can-fit pro certified • Completed level 2 DBC Coaching certification • Owner of Afterburn Performance Fitness • Co-Director of Operations and General Manager at Sunnyside Paddling Club
As a competitive paddler, certified strength/conditioning specialist, and certified athletic therapist, Khanh understands the demands of our sport. His expertise allows him to work with individuals and teams to prevent injuries while improving physical performance. • Co-Owner Lawrence Park Health providing personal training and therapy to public • Athletic Therapist at Stouffville Spirits Junior A Hockey Team • Co-Director of Operations and General Manager at Sunnyside Paddling club
LAND COACH
LESS IS MORE
OFF-SEASON INDOOR TRAINING (OCT 2022-APRIL 2023)
LAND & POOL TRAINING AT AFTERBURN FITNESS 1 x PER WEEK
SATURDAY 7:35am (1.5hour)
AFTERBURN
Water Vipers are proudly sponsored by Afterburn, a one-of-kind facility that’s redefining the dragon boat experience in Toronto. The gym boasts of GTA’s only indoor dragon boat pool and a 4500 sq. ft. strength and conditioning space.
Water Vipers and Afterburn share similar values, in that both entities work effectively, efficiently and sustainably.
ADDRESS
ON-SEASON WATER TRAINING (APRIL 2023-SEPT 2023)
DRAGONBOAT AT SUNNYSIDE PADDLING CLUB 2 x PER WEEK
WEDNESDAY
1st session: 6:30-7:30pm (Development Boat)
2nd session: 7:30-8:30pm (Advance Boat)
SATURDAY
10:30am (Both Development & Advance Boats)
OC-1 GROUP SESSION AT CHERRY BEACH 1 x PER WEEK
MONDAY
1st session: 5-6:15pm
2nd session: 6:00-7:15pm
3rd session: 7:15-8:30pm
SUNNYSIDE
In 2022, Water Vipers made the move to hold water practices at Sunnyside. As a Toronto community-based non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of paddle sports, Sunnyside Paddling Club is North America’s largest paddling club with 1,300 active members.
ADDRESS
INTRODUCING SMALL BOAT OUTRIGGER CANOE PADDLING
As an initiative in 2021, Water Vipers supplemented dragonboating with outrigger canoe training using our colorful collection of volkboots OC-1 to enhance our athletes experience in the sport of paddling.
In 2022, we held two OC-1 group sessions every Monday at Cherry Beach Toronto and this is something we are continuing to offer for 2023.
PADDLE TRAVEL
So you like to paddle, but you also enjoy travelling.. maybe? As a fun way to experience both (no pressure), Water Vipers has been competing nationally/abroad since 2016.. we are not just talking about Montreal.
Check out below!
In 2022, Water Vipers competed in the Concord Pacific Dragonboat Festival at Vancouver BC, North America's largest and most competitive dragon boat festival with +100 teams in attendance. We finished 5th overall in the Grand A Final and are humbled by the experience.
In 2019, Water Vipers partook in the Hong Kong International Dragonboat Festival sponsored by the HK Tourism Board and the HK China Dragon Boat Association. Although it was untimely, we still competed, paddled, OC6 with the Lantau Boat Club, and had a blast with all the international teams. Did I mention about the Taiwan trip?
In 2018, Water Vipers travelled to Chicago, Illinois and competed in the GWN Chicago International Dragonboat Festival. As the grand champion of GWN Chicago, this is where we discovered deep-dish pizza and never looked back.
ARE YOU A NEW OR RETURNING PADDLER?
We understand.. trying out a new sport or getting back to it again after many years is tough! It is why this year (2023), on top of our competitive, more experienced crew, we expanded to include a developmental crew for developing athletes in the sport of paddling.
For the first time in Vipers history, we are hosting two boats for all the regional regattas. Whether you are an intermediate level paddler trying to advance your techniques or a new paddler just getting into the sport, we have a spot for you. We are all part of the same community growing as one.
2023
READY READY
1
ONCE A WEEK LAND & POOL OFF-SEASON TRAINING
2
2 TIMES A WEEK DB PRACTICE WITH
1 OC SESSION (RECOMMENDED)
4
4 REGATTAS IN 2023
Milton DBF - May 27
Toronto International DBF - June 17-18
Chicago International DBF - July 29
GWN Dragonboat Challenge - Sep 9-10
10
10 MONTHS OF SOLID ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
