Waterloo Paddling Club

About the Waterloo Paddling Club

The Waterloo Paddling Club (WPC) is a growing club founded in 2013 by Ricky Tjandra and Evan Trafford, former University of Waterloo students who loved to paddle and wanted to spread the various disciplines of paddling to the community. WPC's primary focus is dragon boat and outrigger canoeing, with plans to expand activities to include sprint canoe/kayaking, marathon, stand-up paddling as well as white water. WPC aims to become Kitchener-Waterloo region's first multidisciplinary paddling club.

Programs

The club offers a variety of programs for the Kitchener-Waterloo community, ranging from recreational to high-performance racing. WPC also supports the University of Waterloo Dragon Boat Club’s (UWDBC) student racing programs.

Experience

WPC’s members range from beginners all the way to international athletes. The club as a whole has been very successful in the paddling world, capturing national and international titles in dragon boat racing.

Affiliations

WPC is currently a member of Dragon Boat Canada (DBC).

Facilities

The WPC is fortunate to have its own practice site and equipment storage, courtesy of the Grand River Conservation Area (GRCA), at the Laurel Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo, ON. We currently have 3 dragon boats, outrigger canoes, flatwater kayaks, as well as a full stock of paddles and life jackets.

Leaders in the paddling community!

Our Teams

We offer a multitude of teams that fit all ages and skill levels. From the novice paddler to international competitors, you're sure to find a program that suits you!

Dragon Boat Paddling

Community Team

The community recreation program offers a fun introduction to the sport of dragon boat racing. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome! Fundamental techniques will be taught and participants will race in a minimum of 1 regatta. All of the required equipment (paddles, PFDs, etc.) will be supplied by the WPC. The program is designed around the following principles:

Fun
Healthy, active living
Fitness

Minimum age: 18

For more information, email info@waterloopaddlingclub.com

Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) Team

Dragon boat has been shown to provide many physical and psychological benefits for breast cancer survivors by providing an enthusiastic team atmosphere and an exciting physical challenge.

The Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) program offers dragon boat racing instruction for survivors of breast cancer. Our BCS team welcomes all participants of all ages and abilities! Participants will compete in a minimum of 2 regattas. All of the equipment (paddles, PFDs, etc.) will be supplied by the WPC.

Minimum age: 18

For more information, email bcs@waterloopaddlingclub.com

University Team

We run our competitive university/under-24 program under a partnership with the University of Waterloo Dragon Boat Club and the Wilfrid Laurier Dragon Boat Club. This program is open to every University of Waterloo or Wilfried Laurier University student and no experience is necessary!

For more information about the University of Waterloo Dragon Boat Club, please visit their website or email info@uwdbc.com. For Wilfrid Laurier University Dragon Boat Club, please email dragonboatclub@laurierathletics.com