--- title: Youth Dragon Boat Programs | Pathway to Team GB | DBX description: Discover dragon boating for youth, from schools to competitive pathways. Engage young paddlers with training and exciting water activities. Enquire today! image: https://dbx.events/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/og-default.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://dbx.events/youth#main) [![DBX Dragon Boat Experience](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/dbx-lockup.png?width=1000&height=300&name=dbx-lockup.png)](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Home](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Youth](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) [Scouts](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) [Corporate & Crews](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews?hsLang=en) [Get Qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) [About](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [Home](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) [Youth](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) [Scouts](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) [Corporate & Crews](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews?hsLang=en) [Get Qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) [About](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [07453 214 171](tel:07453214171) [contact@dbx.events](mailto:contact@dbx.events) - - - - - ![dbscout](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/dbscout.jpeg?width=2048&height=1536&name=dbscout.jpeg) # Where young paddlers discover the sport From a first school PE session to the national youth squad. DBX works with schools and with the British Dragon Boat Association to get more young people on the water, and to give the ones who want more a route to follow. [Enquire about a session](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [See the pathway](https://dbx.events/youth#pathway) Age range across our youth programmes 10 to 18 Students per full enrichment day 100+ Working with the BDA on youth development BDA Connected to Team GB youth selection GB ## Dragon boating for schools PE enrichment days, curriculum-linked water activities and competitive inter-form challenge sessions. Full risk assessment provided, and we manage the whole programme on the day. Half day, one class group ### PE Taster Session 3 hours, up to 24 students Perfect for a single class or tutor group. Safety briefing, technique session and a timed race. Suits timetabled PE slots or reward days. Duration 3 hours Students Up to 24 Year groups Year 7 to Year 11 Format Safety, drills, race [Enquire about a taster session](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) Full day, multiple classes ### Year Group Enrichment Day 6 hours, up to 100 students Multiple crews rotate through coaching, drills and racing. Ideal for a whole year group or an inter-form competition day. We manage the full programme so teachers can supervise rather than deliver. Duration Full day Students Up to 100 Year groups Year 7 to Year 11 Format Inter-form racing [Enquire about an enrichment day](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) ## What teachers get Everything that makes a trip off-site difficult is handled before your group arrives. - ### Aligned to the PE curriculum Sessions map to national PE objectives for KS3 and KS4, with clear learning outcomes for your planning, and practical assessment documentation available for GCSE. - ### Full risk assessment provided Written risk assessment, qualified helm on every boat, safety boat cover and all equipment. Sent over before you confirm, not on the day. - ### We run the whole day Risk assessment, equipment, coaching, safety cover and the race schedule. Teachers supervise, we deliver. - ### Well-connected venues Canary Wharf and Royal Docks, both minutes from the DLR and Elizabeth line, with changing facilities on site. ## Other ways in Not a school? Scout and Guide groups have their own badge-aligned programme, and talented paddlers can join the competitive pathway directly. - ![db_scout_badge_dragon_boat](https://dbx.events/hubfs/db_scout_badge_dragon_boat.jpeg) Scouts and Guides ### The Dragon Boat Activity Badge A fully structured session covering water safety, paddling technique and crew teamwork, built around the badge requirements. Leaders receive a written summary for badge records. - Ages 10 to 18 - Groups of 10 to 24 - Half or full day [Scouts programme](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) - ![dragonboat_youth_racing](https://dbx.events/hubfs/FB_IMG_1577844942456.jpg) Competitive youth ### For paddlers who want to race Young paddlers who show real potential can join structured squad training aligned to BDA youth competition standards, with support all the way through to Team GB junior trials. - BDA aligned - Video analysis - Team GB trials [Express interest](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) ## One route from first paddle to national squad Most young people start with a school session or a badge day. For the ones who want more, there is a structured route all the way to Team GB junior trials. Paddlers move up when they are ready, not on a fixed timetable. 1. 01 First paddle 2. 02 Foundation 3. 03 Performance 4. 04 Elite 1. 01 First paddle ### A first session that hooks them School PE sessions and Scout badge days. No experience needed. Everyone is on the water within the hour and racing by the end. - School taster and enrichment days - Scout Activity Badge sessions - All equipment and safety cover included - BDA-qualified coach on every boat 2. 02 Foundation ### Technique, timing and trust For young paddlers who want more. Regular coached training builds the fundamentals: stroke technique, crew synchronisation and the basics of racing. - Paddling technique fundamentals - Crew synchronisation - Race start and finish technique - Fitness and conditioning basics 3. 03 Performance ### Racing at BDA youth level Structured squad training aimed at BDA youth competition standards. Race pace, race strategy and distance-specific preparation. - Advanced stroke mechanics and power - 200m and 500m race-specific training - Race strategy - BDA youth competition entry 4. 04 Elite ### The route to Team GB Intensive coaching for paddlers targeting BDA youth trials and Team GB junior selection, with support through the full trial process. - BDA youth time-trial preparation - Video analysis and refinement - Nutrition and recovery guidance - Support through Team GB trials [Express interest in the pathway](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) ## What teachers and leaders tell us 1 / 2 “ > Our Year 9 group had never been near a boat before. Within an hour they were racing and cheering each other on. The coaches were patient, professional and brilliant with the kids. > > PE Teacher London secondary school > The session was built around the badge from the start. Our leaders got a written summary the same week, which made signing off the badge simple. > > Scout Leader North London district ## Ready to book a youth session? Tell us about your group, your year group and preferred dates. We reply to every enquiry within 24 hours. [Enquire](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) [![DBX Dragon Boat Experience](https://dbx.events/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dbx-theme/images/dbx-lockup.png?width=1000&height=300&name=dbx-lockup.png)](https://dbx.events/?hsLang=en) London’s specialist in youth dragon boat development and BDA coach training. Based at Canary Wharf and Royal Docks. [07453 214 171](tel:07453214171) [contact@dbx.events](mailto:contact@dbx.events) Canary Wharf and Royal Docks, London - - - - - ## Youth - [Youth development](https://dbx.events/youth?hsLang=en) - [Schools](https://dbx.events/youth#schools) - [Team GB pathway](https://dbx.events/youth#pathway) - [Scouts programme](https://dbx.events/scouts?hsLang=en) ## Training - [Corporate event days](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews#corporate) - [Club crew training](https://dbx.events/corporate-crews#crews) - [Charity and race days](https://dbx.events/#charity) - [Get qualified](https://dbx.events/get-qualified?hsLang=en) ## Organisation - [About DBX](https://dbx.events/about?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://dbx.events/enquire?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://dbx.events/blog?hsLang=en) - [British Dragon Boat Association](https://www.dragonboat.org.uk) © 2026 Dragon Boat Experience. All rights reserved. BDA-affiliated coaching. 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