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WATER VIPERS

DRAGON BOAT CREW 

Based in Toronto, Canada

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN

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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.

About
Community

WE ARE A CREW BUT A CREW WITHIN
A COMMUNITY OF THE PAST AND PRESENT 

The Water Vipers Dragon Boat Crew was founded in 2008 by alumnus from University of Toronto. Over the years, we have 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, the Water Vipers has outperformed expectations year after year without having to sacrifice the biggest moments of our lives.

Since 2008, the 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 and we can't be where we are today without the past and we can't move forward without the present. As a team, we value each and everyone's contribution over the years in creating a lasting legacy within our community. 

2013 Montreal

2013 Montreal

2014 Milton

2014 Milton

2015 Center Island

2015 Center Island

2016 National

2016 National

2017 Milton

2017 Milton

2018 Chicago

2018 Chicago

2019 Hong Kong

2019 Hong Kong

2019 Woodstock

2019 Woodstock

2019 GWN Challenge

2019 GWN Challenge

2022 Vancouver

2022 Vancouver

2022 GWN Challenge

2022 GWN Challenge

2023 Center Island

2023 Center Island

2023 GWN Sport

2023 GWN Sport

2023 Chicago

2023 Chicago

2023 End of Year

2023 End of Year

2024 Center Island

2024 Center Island

2024 Woodstock

2024 Woodstock

2024 Sunnyside

2024 Sunnyside

COACHES

MEET THE COACHES

Our Program

PROGRAM

For the 2025 season, we are currently offering the Master, & Performance programs for all the recruits depending on your goals, drive, & how much you are willing to commit 

Master

The Master program is open for both new & experienced paddlers (driven to be the best at what they can be) seeking to improve their strength & fitness, hone their paddling techniques, & compete at a much higher level and intensity.

The commitment level & self-accountability will be significantly higher but you'll be supported with the right resources, knowledge, & expertise to achieve your goals.  

Off-season 

Mandatory off-season training from

October 2024 to April 2025

On-water commitment

2 x a week dragonboat from

late April to early September  

 

1 x a week outrigger canoe

Roaster selection

Test assessment, coach's feedback

Performance

2x

The Performance 2x program is open for both new & experienced paddlers interested in training, growing with the team, while developing their paddling techniques but with less off-season & on-water commitment than the Master. 

If you need a team to hone your skill, develop your techniques, improve your fitness, or just want to be part of a great community, this program is suitable for you.

Off-season 

 Off-season training at Afterburn on Saturday is optional but recommended

 

Paddle pool training will start in

March 2024 and run for 5 sessions

On-water commitment

2 x a week dragonboat from

late April to early September with​ optional outrigger canoe program

Race roaster selection

Attendance based, coach's feedback

1x

The Performance 1x program is open for both new & experienced paddlers interested in training & developing their paddling techniques but couldn't invest in a great deal of time & commitment on the paddle craft.

​​​​

If you want to experience what dragonboat training/racing is all about while being in a great community, this will be a great place to start!

Off-season 

Off-season training at Afterburn on Saturday is optional

 

On-water commitment

1 x a week dragonboat from

late April to early September with​ optional outrigger canoe program

 

Race roaster

Attendance based

Under 18? We're looking to grow a new youth program, email us for deets!

For any questions regarding the training, schedule, & the cost, please email wvipers@gmail.com 

Training

LESS IS MORE

Location1
OFF-SEASON INDOOR TRAINING (OCT 2024-APRIL 2025)
LAND & POOL TRAINING AT AFTERBURN FITNESS 1 x PER WEEK
SATURDAY 7:15am to 9:30am

AFTERBURN

The Water Vipers are proudly sponsored by Afterburn Fitness, 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.


The Water Vipers and Afterburn share similar values in that both entities work effectively, efficiently, and sustainably. 

ADDRESS

Location2
ON WATER TRAINING (APRIL 2025-SEPT 2025)
DRAGONBOAT AT SUNNYSIDE PADDLING CLUB 2 x PER WEEK

WEDNESDAY
7:30-8:45pm 

SATURDAY
9:00-10:15am
OC-1 GROUP SESSION AT CHERRY BEACH/SUNNYSIDE

Schedule TBD but it is usually on Monday & Thursday with slots from ~5:30pm-7:30pm
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SUNNYSIDE

In 2022, the Water Vipers made the move to hold water practices at Sunnyside Paddling Club. As a Toronto community-based non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of paddle sports, the Sunnyside Paddling Club is North America’s largest paddling club with 1,300 active members.

ADDRESS

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INTRODUCING SMALL BOAT OUTRIGGER CANOE 

As an initiative in 2021, the Water Vipers supplemented dragonboating with outrigger canoeing using our colorful collection of volkboots OC-1 to enhance our athletes experience in the sport of paddling. We continue to offer OC group sessions at Cherrybeach or at Sunnyside for all our paddlers as a gateway to master the art of paddle craft. 

OC Cherrybeach
OC to Center Island
OC Cherrybeach

PADDLE+TRAVEL

Paddle Travel

So you enjoy paddling, but maybe you are also interested in travelling? (no pressure). As a cool way to experience both, the Water Vipers has been competing nationally/or abroad since 2016 and we are not just talking about Montreal. ​

 

Check out & swipe below! 

Winnings
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SEASON BREAKDOWN
READY READY

1

1 A WEEK LAND & POOL OFF-SEASON TRAINING 

2

2 TIMES A WEEK DB PRACTICE  

4

4 REGATTAS

TBD: Milton, Pickering, Center Island, Vancouver, Hong Kong, National, Montreal, Woodstock, GWN Sport, GWN Challenge, GWN Orlando 

10

10 MONTHS OF SOLID ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

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As the 2024 season comes to an end...

Gallery

We want to thank all our paddlers, the organizing committee, & our coaches for this amazing season!!

One person does not make a team neither can carry a team. Without you, there won't be a team. Everyone's contribution big or small matters. 

Special shout out to our Most Improved Paddlers (Son & Shawn), Rookie of the Year (Alex), & Most Valuable Paddlers (Herbert & Rianne) of 2024.

WV 2024 Season Gallery (swipe)

CONTACT & RECRUITMENT

WE ARE NOW RECRUITING FOR 2025!!!

Interested in joining the Water Vipers? We are currently running off-season gym training every Saturday 7:15am-9:30am at Afterburn Fitness. The 1st drop in is free so give us a try!

Please email wvipers@gmail.com to learn more about the team, ask any questions, & to let us know if you would like to try & attend our practices. We will schedule you in!

Welcome and hope to see you there!

Here is a peak of what a season is like with us :) 

Notable Regatta Placement (2018-2024)

2018

GWN Dragon Boat Challenge- 4th/85 

GWN Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival- Champion/23

Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival - 10th/73

Milton Dragon Boat Festival- 4th/46, 3rd in 2k

2019

GWN Dragon Boat Challenge- 3rd/72 

Woodstock Dragon Boat Festival- Champion/40

Pickering Dragon Boat Festival- 5th/19 (Sport Division) 

2022

GWN Dragon Boat Challenge- 8th/46

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival - 5th/62

2023

GWN Dragon Boat Challenge- 8th/54 

GWN Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival- 2nd/23 

Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival - 15th/67 

Milton Dragon Boat Festival- 5th/26 

2024

GWN Dragon Boat Challenge- Champion/58

Woodstock Dragon Boat Festival- Champion/15

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival - 13th/97

Pickering Dragon Boat Festival- 4th/15 (Community Division)

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