PDBC Ohana (PARA/PD2)

PDBC Ohana is a program designed for any and all persons who face an impairment or disability that impacts the way they participate in the sport of dragon boat racing. This can include a physical, psychological, sensory, neurological and/or developmental impairment (please see examples outlined below):

  • Psychological: ADHD, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder
  • Sensory: Vision or Hearing Impairment
  • Physical: Paraplegia, Limb Loss, Mobility Restriction, Muscle Weakness
  • Neurological: Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Parkinson’s
  • Developmental: Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy
  • Intellectual: Various impairments in cognitive or adaptive functioning

PDBC Ohana will be classified as a PD2 program, which means that the crew will be compromised of both athletes with a diagnosis and athletes without a diagnosis.

2025/2026 Program Description

In the fall of 2025, PDBC will begin to build the Ohana program through introductory paddling on Frenchman’s Bay (Sept/Oct). In November, athletes will be invited to participate in a series of 8 indoor practices over the course of the winter, consisting of a variety of cardio, strength and paddle work-outs, followed by three indoor pool paddling sessions in April. The team will take to the water in May of 2026 and will practice once per week with the season culminating with the Welland Hope Floats Challenge on August 8th, 2026.

Program Inclusions

All PDBC Ohana athletes will participate in the following programming:

  • 6 fall dragon boat sessions (Sept/Oct 2025)
  • 8 indoor sessions at Alkame Paddle Zone (Nov 2025 – March 2026)
  • 3 indoor pool sessions at Afterburn Fitness (April 2026)
  • 16 dragon boat sessions at Frenchman’s Bay (May – August 2026)
  • Participate in the Welland Hope Floats Challenge on August 8th, 2026

Detailed Training:

Fall:

Introductory dragon boat sessions on Frenchman’s Bay. 6 sessions on the following dates:

Wednesday evenings, 6:00 – 7:30pm

  • September 10th – October 15th, 2025

Winter:

Indoor cardio, strength and paddle sessions at Alkame Paddle Zone. 8 sessions on the following dates:

Wednesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00pm

  • November 12th/26th
  • December 10th
  • January 7th/21st
  • February 11th/25th
  • March 11th

Spring:

Indoor pool paddling at Afterburn Fitness. 3 sessions on the following dates:

Wednesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00pm

  • November 12th/26th
  • March 25th
  • April 8th
  • April 22nd

Summer:

Dragon boat sessions on Frenchman’s Bay. 14 practices on the following dates:

Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00pm

  • May 6th – August 6th, 2025

Regatta

  • 4th Annual Welland Hope Floats Challenge, August 8th, 2026

Fees:

Introductory Fall Paddling (only): $50.00/person

Full Program (not including Fall Paddling): $675.00/person

We encourage all athletes to try our fall paddling program prior to committing to the entire program. While we can prorate fees for those who join the program late, we do not offer credits or substitutions for missed practices due to vacation.

Please note that your program fees do not include the purchase of a team jersey. Paddles and life jackets can be provided to you at no extra cost.

Registration

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Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact membership@pdbc.ca.

 

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