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

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

EP05: Is Dragon Boating a Sport or Just a Festival?

Is dragon boating a sport… or just a festival? It’s a question that comes up more often than you’d think and in this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive straight into it. From local regattas to global events, dragon boating is built on more than just racing. It’s culture, tradition, community and above all, club pride. In this episode, the boys break down what makes club identity so powerful across the world, from team songs and uniforms to international festivals and long-standing traditions that bring paddlers together. 🔥 In this episode: * What “club pride” really means across different countries and cultures  * The traditions that define dragon boating from local festivals to global events  * How teams build identity through uniforms, rituals, and shared history  * The balance between competition, culture, and community in the sport  * Why dragon boating continues to grow as one of the most inclusive global sports  Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Tracey from Gold Coast Dragons 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Is dragon boating truly a sport or just a festival? This episode explores the heart of the sport on and off the water. 👉 Visit paddlesready.com [https://paddlesready.com/] 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

EP04: “We Are a Sport” - The Fight to Define Dragon Boating’s Future with Claudio Schermi

“We are a sport.” It’s a simple statement but it sits at the centre of one of the biggest conversations in dragon boating today. In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Claudio Schermi, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the sport. Broadcast live from Macau, Claudio shares exclusive insight into the global growth of dragon boating, the recent milestone of establishing the IDBF headquarters in Hong Kong, and what it will take for the sport to reach the next level. In this episode: * The global expansion of dragon boating across 80+ member federations  * Why dragon boating must be recognised as its own sport, not a discipline  * The role of club crews and why they are the foundation of the sport  * The pathway toward Olympic recognition and global legitimacy  * The economic and cultural impact of major dragon boat events  Plus: 👉 Hando’s Phantom Call returns with a fast-paced 100m race simulation 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring rapid-fire insights from the paddling community 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Technique vs power; what actually wins races? This episode goes beyond racing; it’s about identity, growth, and where dragon boating is heading on the global stage. Visit paddlesready.com [https://paddlesready.com/]. Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

EP03: “This Could Be Their Last Adventure” - The Power of Dragon Boating with Meri Gibson

“This could be their last adventure.” For thousands of paddlers around the world, dragon boating is more than a sport, it’s community, recovery, purpose and in some cases, a final chapter lived to the fullest. In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Meri Gibson, President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Global, to share the story behind one of the most powerful movements in paddle sport. From her personal journey into dragon boating to leading a global community across 40+ countries, Meri reveals how the sport has created opportunities, connection and meaning for tens of thousands of breast cancer paddlers worldwide. 🔥 In this episode: * How dragon boating became a global movement for breast cancer paddlers  * The growth from 19 countries to over 40 worldwide  * Why participation and elite competition both matter  * The emotional reality behind global festivals and events  * The story behind “this could be their last adventure”  Plus: 👉 Meri’s Hot Take on age divisions, inclusivity, and the future of the sport 👉 Why dragon boating might be one of the most powerful community sports in the world This episode goes beyond racing, it’s about people, resilience, and the impact of paddle sport on lives across the globe. 👉 Visit paddlesready.com [https://paddlesready.com/] 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community