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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 See the 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

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

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

    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
  • dragonboat_youth_racing

    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

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

    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

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