EP10: The Man Who Built Modern Dragon Boating with Mike Haslam

EP10: The Man Who Built Modern Dragon Boating with Mike Haslam

What if one conversation could explain how dragon boating became the global sport we know today? In this special episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Mike Haslam, founding President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), to explore the incredible journey that took dragon boating from a handful of traditional boats in Hong Kong to a worldwide sport involving hundreds of thousands of paddlers. Mike shares firsthand stories from the early days of the sport, the creation of the IDBF, the development of the standard racing boat, and the challenges of growing dragon boating across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. The conversation also dives into the Olympic dream, the ongoing relationship between the IDBF and ICF, and what the future may hold for dragon boating on the world stage. 🔥 In this episode: * How dragon boating expanded from Hong Kong to the rest of the world  * The creation of the International Dragon Boat Federation  * Why the standard dragon boat and paddle specifications were so important  * The story behind the small boat and Olympic ambitions  * The politics, challenges, and opportunities facing dragon boating today  * Mike's vision for the future of the sport  Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Andreas from AustCham 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Who's stronger, a dragon boater or an outrigger paddler? Whether you're new to the sport or have been paddling for decades, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people, decisions, and moments that helped shape modern dragon boating. 🌏 Visit http://paddlesready.com/ [http://paddlesready.com/] 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

EP09: Could Australia Host the Biggest Paddle Event in the World?

Could Australia Host the Biggest Paddle Event in the World? What would happen if every major paddle sport came together for one massive international event? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive into one of the most exciting developments in paddle sports, the proposed World Paddle Games and Australia's bid to host what could become one of the largest paddle events on the planet.  From dragon boating and sprint canoeing to surf skis, outriggers, stand-up paddling, and more, the World Paddle Games could bring thousands of athletes together in a celebration of paddling unlike anything we've seen before. The boys discuss the opportunities this event could create for dragon boating, the impact it could have on youth participation, and why collaboration across paddle sports may be one of the biggest opportunities for growth in the years ahead. 🔥 In this episode: * What the proposed World Paddle Games could look like  * Why Australia is in the running to host the event  * How dragon boating fits into the future of paddle sports  * The importance of youth development and school programs  * Why collaboration between paddle disciplines could benefit everyone 👉 Dougie's Quick Dip covering Barcelona, Venice, Ireland, Hong Kong and major dragon boat events happening around the world 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Lilly from the German Dragon Boat Team 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Is technology helping dragon boating evolve or are we losing touch with the sport's traditions? This episode explores where paddle sports are heading and why the next decade could be transformational for the global paddling community. 🌏 Visit paddlesready.com [https://paddlesready.com/] 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

EP08: The Perfect Dragon Boat Start? Hando Breaks Down 30 Years of Race Starts

What makes the perfect dragon boat start? Is it power? Technique? Timing? Or is it something else entirely? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie sits down with Hando to unpack one of the most important and most debated aspects of dragon boat racing: the start. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a paddler, sweep, coach, and race strategist, Hando breaks down how starts have evolved over the years, the differences between Asian and Western approaches, and why a great start can set the tone for an entire race. From 200m sprints to 2000m turns, this is a masterclass in race starts from one of the sport's most experienced voices. 🔥 In this episode: * How dragon boat starts have evolved over the past 30 years  * The difference between 200m, 500m, 1000m, and 2000m race starts  * Why Chinese and Asian starts are influencing crews around the world  * The importance of boat trim, timing, and synchronization  * Technique versus power: which matters most?  Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Leonard from Singapore's Dragon Boat Nursery 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Can Australia's dragon boating federations work together if the World Paddle Games come to Australia? Whether you're a novice paddler or a seasoned veteran, this episode will make you think differently about the first few seconds of every race. Visit paddlesready.com [https://paddlesready.com/] Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

EP07: The Race to Catch China: Inside USA Dragon Boating’s Rise with Tommy Leonardi

Can the USA catch China in dragon boating? That’s the question at the centre of this episode of Paddles Ready, as Dougie and Hando sit down with Tommy Leonardi for a deep dive into the rapid rise of USA dragon boating on the world stage. With over 30 years in the sport, 52 world championship medals as both a paddler and coach, and leadership roles across some of America’s most respected dragon boat programs, Tommy shares what’s driving the USA’s growth and why the next era of the sport could be its most competitive yet. From OC1 crossover athletes and evolving race strategies to youth development and club culture, this episode explores how dragon boating is becoming faster, more professional, and more globally competitive than ever before. 🔥 In this episode: * Why USA dragon boating is improving so rapidly  * The rise of OC1, outrigger, and crossover athletes entering the sport  * How the USA structures club crews and national team pathways  * Why Club Crew World Championships may be the best event in dragon boating  * The evolving battle between China, Canada, USA, Australia, and emerging nations  Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Mark Slater from Brisbane River Dragons 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Are there too many dragon boat world titles? This episode is a fascinating look into the evolution of modern dragon boating and the nations trying to push the sport to the next level. 👉 Visit https://paddlesready.com/ [https://paddlesready.com/] 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

EP06: How Canada Became a Dragon Boat Powerhouse with Julie Robitaille

How did Canada become one of the strongest dragon boat nations in the world? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Julie Robitaille, President of Dragon Boat Canada, for a deep dive into the rise of Canadian dragon boating on the world stage. From youth development and elite coaching systems to Olympic ambitions and international success, Julie shares what has helped Canada become one of the sport’s true powerhouses, all while balancing participation, inclusivity, and high performance. 🔥 In this episode: * How paddling became part of Canada’s sporting DNA  * The systems and coaching structures behind Canada’s international success  * Why youth development is critical for the next generation of paddlers  * Canada’s vision for the future of dragon boating and Olympic inclusion  * The balance between elite racing and participation across 100,000+ paddlers nationwide  Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Aiden from Brisbane Typhoon 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Are dragon boating teams starting to attract elite athletes from other paddle sports? This episode is a fascinating look at how one nation built a world-class dragon boating program and where the sport could be heading next. 👉 Visit https://paddlesready.com/ [https://paddlesready.com/] 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community