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.
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 |  2014 Milton |  2015 Center Island |  2016 National |  2017 Milton |  2018 Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 2019 Hong Kong |  2019 Woodstock |  2019 GWN Challenge |  2022 Vancouver |  2022 GWN Challenge |  2023 Center Island |
 2023 GWN Sport |  2023 Chicago |  2023 End of Year |  2024 Center Island |  2024 Woodstock |  2024 Sunnyside |
MEET THE COACHES
Our 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
LESS IS MORE
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
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
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
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.
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!
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
As the 2024 season comes to an end...
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)
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)