Community Spirit

The Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society is actively engaged with the community through a variety of initiatives. From mentoring youth in the Tri-Cities area, imparting both the skills of dragon boating and the values of teamwork, to sponsoring a local high school dragon boat team, Nothin’ Dragon is here to share the joy of dragon boating and community spirit!

2024 marked the rebirth of outings our team had done in the past. Our dedicated boat booking manager, Dale Bryant, along with his assistant, Carol Argue, have been diligently orchestrating and coordinating outings for school and community groups, as well as corporate team-building experiences, ensuring seamless and unforgettable adventures for all involved.

Thanks to the inspiration of alumnus, Ric Tesan, in 2023, the Alumni Paddle was formed and has since morphed into our Recreational Paddle. This is a casual paddle opportunity for our alumni and others over 50 years who would like to try dragonboat but can’t commit to extensive training or racing to get in the boat and enjoy the sport. It also allows current Nothin’ Dragon teammates a chance to get more time on the water, recover after injury, try new positions, and build leadership.

2015 was the the 1st year that Riverside Secondary High School in Port Coquitlam had a dragon boat team. Nothin’ Dragon provided them with boats, paddles and life vests. “It has been a great team building experience for us and we did very well participating in the Rio Tinto Dragon Boat Festival in June at False Creek. It is the second biggest Dragon Boat Festival in the world next to Hong Kong. Many thanks to the Dogwood Nothin’ Dragon dragon boat team for supplying the paddles, PFD’s, dragon boat and mentorship,” said their coach Erica.

“The Rapids” This team now goes by their new name and has evolved to include students from Gleneagle Secondary, and The Rapids continues to do very well in the major youth races in Vancouver, medaling in all their events.
– 2015 to Present

Our team championed the annual sports event that has participants run or walk the length of the popular hiking trail, the Coquitlam Crunch. We advanced the event by bringing in a professional time-keeper, Trio Sport Events and used Running Room for online registration, finish line and bibs. Funds raised support the Coquitlam Foundation diversity fund which provides an annual grant. Learn more about the event.
– 2016 to 2019

We hosted the dragon boat portion of the annual games. 2016 the host city was Coquitlam. Teams competed at Rocky Point Park for two days. Learn more about the event.
– 2016

Three of our major corporate sponsors took the opportunity to have a dragon boat experience with their employees, families and friends. All participates had a fun time exploring the beauty and animal life of Port Moody Harbour. Rain or shine
– 2015 to Present

Our ‘Youth at Risk’ spring program started in 2013 and taught children from three middle schools the advantages of having goals and working as a team with an after school dragon boating program on Thursdays. Moulding young, excited and unique students into a team is no easy task.

That same year (2013) we entered them in a Youth Dragon Boating Regatta on Burnaby Lake on June 1st. They had 6 races, four times placing 3rd, one 5th place, and one 1st place finish. They WON FIRST PLACE in the last race with a time of 1:17 minutes. This day will be forever etched in their memory and may even have changed their focus in life.

In 2014 we had a new crew of 35 children in the program, and after 10 practises they attended the same event on Burnaby Lake and had 6 races, three times placing in 3rd place, twice in 2nd place, once in 1st place.

In 2015 the students had some great races and earned a first place finish overall in the middle school division! From the first practice in early April to early June, the transformation was nothing short of amazing. The team name Kateslem means ‘coming together’ and the name fits with what happened each year. Thanks to the sponsors that enable our team members to help these kid. We will continue fostering young athletes.

– 2013 to 2000

“Thank you SO much for today. The group really loved it and benefited from it. Such a great team experience and we will definitely be doing it again in the spring. Your team is so much fun and the leader in the coach boat was awesome at pushing us. Such a fun day!!” – Kelly (teacher)
– 2015

These students were in awe of their Dragon Boat Experience in Canada, the seals eating the salmon, the eagles, and the awesome beauty of Port Moody Harbour.
– 2015

“Thanks sooo much to you and your team mates for providing the girls with such a wonderful fun-filled morning on the water. They really had a good time! All the best with your upcoming season.” – The girls and leaders form 9th HC Guides, 1st HC Guides and 1st HC Pathfinders.
– 2014 to Present

We fill our boat for every tour. We made a big “splash” at this annual event on July 1 in Rocky Point Park, Port Moody. Just one small example of what being in a dragon boat can mean to a participant. One of our guests, a lady from Iran in traditional dress with her husband and girls came to a team member after their tour and said, “We have been in Canada for only six months and to be here and in your boat is truly overwhelming. We would never have had any such opportunity to meet people and be part of an activity like this at home.” Her girls were smiling ear to ear as she thanked us. Learn more about this event.
– 2013 to Present

2013 Sports Achievement Award | Extra special was this civic award from the City of Port Moody, the year of its 100th birthday for our contribution to sport!

We put more than 130 people out on the water. Our participation in the picnic was without a doubt the most popular and a great success. We had to turn people away in the end as the word started to spread that our ride out to see the seals “was the best ever.” On one boat we had eight members of the same family, from grandparents to grandchildren.
– 2013