Welcome to the Oakville Dragonflies, Dragon Boat Club. We’re a women’s team based in Oakville, Ontario, built around community, teamwork, and a shared love of paddling.
Whether you’re brand new to the sport or looking to compete, there’s a seat in the boat for you. With three teams for different experience levels, it’s easy to get involved. Come join us on the water and see what dragon boating is all about.
One boat. One beat.
What is Dragon Boat?
…and why you should join us
So, what exactly is Dragon Boat racing?
At its heart, Dragon Boat is a team sport. You don’t need to be an athlete, and you don’t need any previous paddling experience to give it a try. People of all ages and fitness levels take part, and one of the great things about the sport is that everyone in the boat has an important role to play.
A standard Dragon Boat has 20 paddlers, with a drummer at the front and a steersperson at the back. The paddlers work together to keep their strokes in time, following the rhythm set by the drummer, while the steersperson keeps the boat moving in the right direction. When everyone is working together, the boat moves surprisingly quickly. When the timing is off, you definitely know about it!
Dragon Boat racing has a history that stretches back more than 2,000 years in China. Traditionally, the races were associated with festivals and ceremonies honouring the river and sea gods. Today, the sport has grown into an international activity enjoyed by people around the world. Dragon Boat racing arrived in Canada in 1986 as part of Expo 86 in Vancouver, and it has continued to grow ever since.
There are different sizes and styles of Dragon Boats, although the 10- and 20-paddler boats are the most common. Regardless of the boat size, the principle is the same: everyone has to paddle together. It’s not about being the strongest or fastest person in the boat. Good timing, communication and teamwork make the difference.
And that’s really what makes Dragon Boat so much more than just a race.
Yes, there’s a competitive side to it, and crossing that finish line ahead of the other boats is pretty exciting! But for many of us, it’s the people and the sense of belonging that keep us coming back. You train together, race together, laugh together and, occasionally, wonder why you agreed to get up so early on a Saturday morning!
Whether you’re completely new to paddling or have years of experience, there’s a place for you in the boat. Come along, give it a try, and see what Dragon Boat is all about.
What you can expect when you join us.
Joining the Oakville Dragonflies is about more than putting a paddle in the water. Yes, you’ll learn how to paddle, how to catch, how to keep time with the boat and how to cross a finish line without losing your paddle in the process. But you’ll also become part of a group of women who genuinely enjoy being on the water and being around each other.
We have three crews, each with a different level of experience, training and commitment. That means there’s no expectation that you need to arrive knowing what you’re doing or ready to train like an Olympic athlete! Whether you’re completely new to Dragon Boat or you’ve been paddling for years, we’ll help you find the right fit.
Your first few practices will be about getting comfortable in the boat and learning the basics. You’ll be shown how to hold and use your paddle, how the stroke works and, most importantly, how to paddle as part of a crew. It takes a little time to get the hang of it, but you’ll be surprised how quickly it starts to feel natural.
Training takes place at the Burloak Canoe Club in downtown Oakville, where we’re lucky enough to have 16 Mile Creek and Lake Ontario right on our doorstep. When conditions are right, we head out onto the lake. When the wind decides otherwise, we stay on the creek. Either way, there’s something pretty special about finishing a training session with the sun going down over the water.
As you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in Dragon Boat festivals throughout the season. Festivals are where all that practice starts to come together. There’s the excitement of racing, of course, but there’s also the team tents, the nerves, the cheering, the food, the laughs and the inevitable post-race analysis of what went right, and also what went wrong. And while we take our paddling seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
You can expect encouragement, hard work, plenty of laughter and teammates who will push you when you need pushing and cheer you on when you need cheering. You’ll make friends, learn something new, get fitter and probably discover muscles you didn’t know you had.
Most importantly, you’ll never be expected to do it alone. Dragon Boat is a team sport in every sense of the word. We show up for each other, we learn together and we celebrate each other’s successes.
You might join because you’re looking for a new challenge, a way to get active, or simply something different to do.
You might stay because you found your people.
One boat. One beat.
FAQs
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The Dragon Boat season officially begins on 30 April 2026. All 3 of our teams will be on the water by the first week in May, however the duration of the season differs from team to team, with some of our paddlers paddling until early October. We also offer the opportunity to our paddlers to take part in poolside paddling throughout the cold winter months to keep up their technique and fitness.
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It is not necessary to purchase a lifejacket and a paddle if you are just starting out with Dragon Boat as everything you will need to keep you safe and well equipped is supplied by the club. However, should you decide to continue paddling longterm, it is recommended that you purchase a blue lifejacket that matches with the official Oakville Dragonflies team kit. Inflatable PFDs worn around the waist are also permitted.
Should you ever wish to purchase your own paddle, please familiarise yourself with what is permitted by the IDBF (International Dragon Boat Federation). These paddles are largely available for purchase at festivals throughout Ontario. It is recommended to have your paddle sized for you as it is not a case of one size fits all. -
Our teams take part in many different festivals throughout the season. The number of festivals will vary depending on each respective crew. Festivals are a great way to put into practice what we have learned throughout the season and to showcase our strength and unity as a crew.
We also have several paddlers taking part in festivals further afield. In recent times we have had crews take part in The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival and we also have a 10 person crew that took part in an International Festival in Puerto Rico (2025) where they won a silver medal. We currently have a team with their sights set on competing in Puerto Rico, 2026! -
It's a watersport, you're going to get wet. Even if it rains, you will find us out on the creek practicing our hearts out. The only time that practice will be cancelled is if there is lightning or the conditions are unsafe. Our coaches are experienced and knowledgeable and will never put us in harm's way. You will be notified of any changes and missed sessions due to inclement weather are generally made-up afterwards.
“Dragon boat races are not won by the strength of the arms, but by the unity of the hearts.”
— Chinese Proverb
Our Playground
We’re pretty spoiled with our beautiful playground here on the creek at the Burloak Canoe Club, in the heart of downtown Oakville. On those perfectly, calm evenings, we love paddling out onto Lake Ontario with the Toronto skyline shimmering in the distance. But when the lake’s not in the mood, the creek has its own charm - foxes, deer, beavers, and raccoons pop by, and the sunsets are truly unforgettable. Whether it's the lake or the creek, every paddle session is a chance to experience something truly special.
Meet Our Team Captains
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Julie van Hemelryck
Thursday Evening - Festival Crew / Experienced
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Elizabeth Pearse
Wednesday Evening - Festival Crew / Intermediate
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Michelle Lindsay-Orsi
Tuesday Evening - Technique / Extra Practice Crew
“A true team player
wants the same amount of light
to shine on everyone.”
— unknown
Dragonflies Go International!
February 2025 saw a few of our paddlers take flight to the sunny shores of Puerto Rico, trading Canada’s icy temps for tropical waves and sunshine as they headed to the Puerto Rico International Dragon Boat Festival!
This team surely did us proud!
Want to see what we’ve been up to? Follow us on Instagram!
Sponsorship.
Hey Oakville Businesses!
We’re the Oakville Dragonflies, your local community-based Dragon Boat crew, and we’re reaching out to invite you to be part of something awesome. Our team is all about connection - both on the water and with the people who make Oakville special, like you! Supporting local isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s what keeps our paddling community strong and thriving.
By sponsoring our team, you’re not just helping us across the water - you’re getting your name out there too! With exposure at local and regional races, your brand will be seen by a wide audience. Plus, your logo will look fantastic on our training jerseys, banners or tents. (Talk about visibility!) It’s a great way to show that you’re invested in our community, and let’s be honest, it’s also a pretty cool sport to be a part of.
So, if you’re ready to partner alongside us, we’d love to chat about how we can support each other. Let's do this together! One Boat, One Beat!