A Little History...
The 2023 World Championships in Thailand was the first year that Paradragon was included as a division. There was an incredible amount of interest and participation as the coaching team hit the waters across the country to train and select the first Team USA Paradragons crew. A cadre of 50 paras, support paddlers and staff participated in racing against Para teams from other countries, and proved themselves worthy of international competition after only a short 5 months to prepare and train.
Seeing a need to provide more racing opportunities specific to paradragon crews, “The Collective,” was created as a racing team open to any para and support paddlers. The Collective has raced throughout the US, and with special permission the CanAm Championship and Club Crew National Championship.
The Collective continued to grow in paddler numbers and race opportunities, while Paradragons USA provided camps prior to events. As this partnership tightened, the decision was made to officially include the racing team under the Paradragons USA organization.
Grit Ready to Race!
In keeping with the PDUSA theme of "United By GRIT" (Goals, Respect, Initiative, Training), our new racing team name will be: GRIT Paradragon Racing Team!
Our new, full color official race jerseys features Azure, an updated version of our current blue water dragon and our new mascot. More to come about Azure!
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PRE-ORDER DUE MARCH 13 for Tempe delivery.
(Arizona Dragon Boat Festival March 28-29)
Click the link or the button below to get the order form.
https://forms.gle/3YLAtVpYPp4rUg6f8
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Welcome to Paradragons USA!
This non-profit Para organization offers and holds dragon boat camps, mini camps, and small group development weekends, as well as race with other dragon boat groups around the country.
Join Us!
If you are interested in being a part of the Paradragons USA organization, please complete the online Interest Form so we know how you would like to participate and can keep you informed about upcoming camps and other activities.
Join Our Slack!
Another way to stay in-the-know is to join our Slack group, a great way to chat with other interested paddlers and keep updated on the latest news and happenings.
https://join.slack.com/t/paradragonsusa/shared_invite/zt-1uugd502f-83b7M30UkJU1G207_xQUUA
Join Your Friends!
Please share this website with any other paddlers you know who might be interested! More info coming to this site soon.
Questions? Comments?
Paradragons USA
Training Camps
We will be holding training camps and attending races throughout the country, in addition to local and regional training opportunities. Check back often as many of our events are limited registration. We will also post our Zoom Meeting dates here. Be sure to register and attend the meetings for the latest info and opportunity to ask questions.
ASL interpreters are available on the Zoom meetings.
"We all have choices. Grit is a choice.
Grit is the difference between a good athlete or a great athlete.
What’s your choice?"
— Mary Tran | Assistant Coach, West
GOALS
Paradragons USA informs and prepares dragon boat paddlers, both adaptive and support, for international level competition. Each hopeful candidate is responsible for setting their own personal goals to prepare for training and testing to reach the highest desired level of competition.
RESPECT
With the diverse impairments and various adaptive needs for para paddlers, all members share the responsibility and privilege of supporting each other. Resources are available to help understand how to assist and communicate in different situations and build relationships. Paradragons USA follows the USDBF Code of Ethics and IDBF Disciplinary Code.
INITIATIVE
Team members come from all over the United States. It is imperative that each paddler takes responsibility for their own improvement and advancement by following their own training program, practicing with their local teams, racing in local and national events, and attending camps.
TRAINING
Year 'round. The Paradragons USA coaches provide training plans and accountability programs that will help paddlers achieve their goals, supporting physical, mental, and nutritional needs. We will be holding Training Camps throughout the year in various locations for the purpose of consistent technique and team building. Regional Trainers will be available for local training and workshops.
Paradragons USA promotes the sport of dragon boat within the para athlete community as a nonprofit, tax exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Paradragons USA is a separate entity from and not associated with the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF) and Team USA.