Beginner Programs
Dragon Boat racing is an inclusive sport for all ages and abilities.
At the 22Dragons dragon boat racing club we have teams for beginners and competitive athletes alike starting as young as 14 years old all the way to 85! Participants can register individually, or sign up as a group, something that is very popular among co-workers or friends.
Find the right fit for you
Interested in learning how to dragon boat? You’ve found the right place! 22Dragons holds different introductory and beginner-level programs coached by experienced and enthusiastic coaches.
We offer two options for new paddlers:
4-week Introductory Course
This introductory course is perfect for those who are unsure if they are ready to commit to the summer, lasting only 4 weeks, you will learn the very basics of dragon boating.
This is our most popular program and sets you up to join a seasonal team.
What’s included?
- Weekly 1-hour training for 4 weeks
- Equipment rental (paddle, personal flotation device, dragon boat)
- A fun and energetic coach!
Register quickly, there are only 40 spots per group!
Additional information
- Location: 22Dragons (5527 Rue Saint-Patrick, Montréal)
- Arrive 15 minutes early to get your equipment and to warm up.
- Cost: $70 + tax
Two weeks before the start of the course, you will receive an email from club@22dragons.com with details regarding where to meet and what to bring.
Summer 2026 Schedule
Bloc 1
May 11 to June 7
Tuesdays 18:00
Thursdays 18:15
Bloc 2
June 8 to July 5
Tuesdays 18:00
Thursdays 18:15
Bloc 3
July 6 to August 2
Tuesdays 18:00
Thursdays 18:15
Bloc 4
August 3 to August 30
Tuesdays 18:00
Bloc 5
August 31 to September 27
Tuesdays 18:00
Need help with account creation or registration? Click here for detailed instructions!
Summer-long Beginner Teams
This program puts together new and returning paddlers in a seasonal introduction to paddling, dragon boat training, and racing program. This is perfect for someone looking to discover the dragon boat racing community in Montreal and enjoy time outside, on the water during the summer.
In one summer, you will learn all there is to know about dragon boat paddling and face off against teams from across Canada at two of our signature events at Montréal’s Olympic Bassin. In other words, you get a full dragon boat racing experience in one summer!
What’s included
Weekly 1-hour training for 18 weeks
Equipment rental (paddle, personal flotation device, dragon boat)
A fun and energetic coach!
Racing at two local regattas (depending on program)
General information
Location: 5527 Rue Saint-Patrick, Montréal
Arrive 15 minutes before indicated start of training to warm up and collect equipment
All teams will have a one-week break after the CanAmerican Championships. There is no training from July 19 to 25.
Two weeks before the start of the trainings, you will receive an email from club@22dragons.com with details regarding where to meet and what to bring.
Summer 2026 Beginner Teams
Mixed crew 1, all ages
Level: Beginner
Dates: May 18 to September 27, 2026
Training schedule: Tuesdays 17:30
Includes racing at the Montréal International Dragon Boat Challenge and at the Québec Cup (2 racing events)
Price: $350 plus tax
Registrations open Friday March 13, 2026.
Women’s, all ages
Level: Beginner-intermediate
Dates: May 3 to September 27, 2026
Training schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays 18:00
Includes racing at the Lachine Knock-out, the Montréal International Dragon Boat Challenge, and at the Québec Cup (3 racing events)
Price: $460 plus tax
Registrations open Friday March 13, 2026.
Mixed crew 2, all ages
Level: Beginner
Dates: May 18 to September 27, 2026
Training schedule: Tuesdays 19:00
Includes racing at the Montréal International Dragon Boat Challenge and at the Québec Cup (2 racing events)
Price: $350 plus tax
Registrations now open!
Mixed crew, all ages (no racing)
Level: Beginner
Dates: May 18 to September 27, 2026
Training schedule: Thursdays 18:15
No racing included. Possibility to race at the end of the season as an add-on.
Perfect for those that just want a weekly group paddling and that don’t like racing!
Price: $220 plus tax
Registrations now open!
Registration help
Need help with registration? Follow these instructions to complete your registration. You can also view this step-by-step video https://youtu.be/MchjPWQZ4mw
STEP 1 – Create an account. If you already have a Qidigo account with us, skip to step 2!
- 1. Click on the register button above.
- 2. At the bottom of the page, click on “Log in”
- 3. In the “New Account” section, click on “Register”
- 4. Create your account using an email and password.
- 5. Fill in your personal information. Click “Next”.
- 6. Fill in your address. Click “Next”.
- 7. If you are also registering a family member and would like to pay together, you can add a family member. Otherwise, click on “Next”
- 8. If you want, you can upload a picture so our coaches can recognize you more easily! Click “Next” and you’re done!
- If you need help creating an account you can follow this STEP-by-STEP VIDEO: https://youtu.be/MchjPWQZ4mw
STEP 2 – Register for the program
- 1. On this website, click on the “Register” again or click on “1. INITIATION Été ☀️ Introduction Summer” or “1. Débutant Été ☀️ Beginner Summer” from the 22Dragons Qidigo site depending on what you would like to register to.
- 2. Choose the group and practice time you want to register to.
- 3. From the drop down menu, select the participant you want to register. Click on “Add to cart”
- 4. If you are not registering an additional person or registering yourself for another program, on the right side of the screen, click on “Next step”
- 5. You now have to read and sign the waiver and other documents which is required to participate in the trainings. Click on “Fill in”.
- 6. Once you have read and agreed to the waiver and the other fields, click on “Save”
- 7. Click on the checkbox and press on “Next step”
STEP 3 – Payment
Payments can be made by card only. Only if you do not have a bank card, you can pay by etransfer by sending an email to club@22dragons.com and arrangements will be made.
- 1. You can choose to pay all at once or use one of the payment plans. Payment plans are only available for summer long teams, intermediate teams, and competitive teams.
- 2. Select the billing address.
- 3. Enter your credit card details and complete the payment.
STEP 4 – Confirmation
- Once registered and payment is done or is set up in instalments, you will receive two emails from Qidigo.
- A payment confirmation
- An invoice with the remaining balance.
- You’re now registered and we will send you an email 2 weeks before the start of the course with instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dragon boat racing?
Dragon boat racing is a boat racing sport that has roots dating back 2000 years to China. It typically sees 20 paddlers, a drummer and a coxswain on one boat, and teams race each other in set distances. Dragon boat racing has been popular in Canada for decades, with paddlers from all ages, athletic abilities, and backgrounds coming together to form teams and race in regattas in Canada.
What should I bring?
We provide the paddles, personal flotation devices, and the boat. All you need to bring is:
- Athletic clothes
- Sun protection (sunscreen and hat)
- Filled water bottle
- Water shoes or sandal (optional)
Where will this activity be held?
Our club is located at 5527 Rue Saint-Patrick in the Lachine Canal Park. You can use the area in front of the docks as your group’s meeting point.
Are there any fitness requirements for me to participate?
Dragon boat is an accessible activity! Anyone can take part, no matter your fitness level or your physical abilities!
It’s raining! Is the activity cancelled?
The activity will take place rain or shine! We only cancel the activity in the case of lightning or if the Canal is closed due to heavy rainfall. In the case of a cancellation, you will receive an email as soon as we can.
22Dragons thanks Isabella Perelman, Lyne Larivière, Vera Wagner, Sarah MacDonald, and Eugene Sweetoo for providing the pictures for this page.
