The GB dragon boat programme

This page explains how the Great Britain (GB) dragon boat programme works, from first interest through to selection and international competition. It is intended as general guidance. The exact details vary between campaigns and squads, but the overall pathway and principles remain broadly consistent.

The GB programme is overseen by the BDA. Selection and training are managed by volunteer coaches and management teams, supported by the BDA.

Contents

• What GB is and what it is not
• The GB pathway at a glance
• Readiness and experience
• BNTS: British National Training Squad
• GB squads explained
• Trials and selection
• Training and expectations
• In-country arrangements
• Costs and financial commitment
• What next?

What GB is and what it is not

GB dragon boating is about representing Great Britain at international championships run by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and the European Dragon Boat Federation (EDBF). It is a high-commitment, self-funded programme run by volunteers.

International competition follows a two-year cycle. European championships are held in even-numbered years and world championships are held in odd-numbered years.

Each championship has its own campaign, with selection, training and costs planned around that specific event. While there is often continuity from one year to the next, selection for a European championship does not automatically carry over to a world championship, and athletes should expect to recommit and re-trial for each campaign.

GB is not a closed or invitation-only system. There is no requirement to be known personally by coaches or to have paddled with GB athletes before. The programme is open to anyone who meets the eligibility rules and selection criteria.

At the same time, GB is not a casual add-on to club paddling. International racing involves a significant step up in technical standard, physical preparation, time commitment and cost.

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The GB pathway at a glance

For most paddlers, the route into GB looks like this:

• Attend BNTS to understand what GB involves. Attending BNTS sessions does not commit you to trials or anything else.
• Decide whether to trial and for which GB squad (you may be eligible for more than one squad but should only trial for one).
• Trial.
• If selected, commit to the training and competition programme for that campaign.

If you are selected and accept a place on a GB squad you will be expected to be fully committed to the squad and to attending GB training camps.

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Readiness and experience

International dragon boat racing places high physical and technical demands on athletes and requires resilience, adaptability and teamwork.

As a general guide, people who commit to GB should:

• Have completed at least one full season of racing at club level
• Be comfortable paddling at race intensity
• Be open to technical feedback and change
• Have the time and capacity to commit to training and travel

If you’re unsure whether you’re ready, have a chat with your club coach or the appropriate GB squad coach. (Note that club coaches usually won’t know current GB requirements in detail as these change each campaign.)

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BNTS: British National Training Squad

BNTS is the normal starting point for anyone interested in GB. Sessions are open training and information days, giving paddlers, drummers and helms insight into the standards, expectations and style of international racing, as well as the chance to meet the squad coach and management team and see whether their approach feels like a good fit.

For paddlers, BNTS is not a trial or selection event. You can attend simply to learn more and decide whether GB is something you may want to pursue in the future.

For drummers and helms, BNTS forms part of the overall assessment process, with coaches observing individuals over time. Attendance does not commit you to trials or selection, but it is strongly recommended as the best way to explore GB involvement.

What typically happens at BNTS?

• On-water training focused on technique and race skills, usually with video recording and feedback
• Information about GB squads, campaigns and expectations
• Observation by coaches, particularly of technical foundations
• Ongoing observation of drummers and helms

Requirements

Anyone attending BNTS training should be a BDA Individual Member.

As a guide, you should also have completed at least one full year of paddling and one racing season at club level. This is not a hard rule, however. If you have less experience than that but are interested in attending BNTS, speak to your club coach or contact the squad coach for an informal chat before signing up.

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GB squads explained

Team GB fields multiple squads each year, each with different eligibility criteria (see below).

Within each squad there may be small or standard boat Open, Women’s and/or Mixed crews. The exact make-up varies year to year and depends in large part on how many people put themselves forward for trials.

Each squad has its own coach, management team and selection criteria. Squads train separately but form part of one overall Team GB programme.

Coaches are selected for a two-year period, spanning one European championship and one world championship. Details of current coaches and management teams are published on the GB squads page of the BDA website.

You are welcome to attend BNTS sessions for all the squads that you are eligible for before making any decisions about which squad to continue your journey with (if any).

Junior A & Junior B (U18 & U24)

To be eligible for a Junior squad, in the year of competition paddlers and drummers must be at least 12 years of age and no older than 18 or 24 respectively.

There is no upper age limit for helms in the Junior categories.

Premier

The premier squad has no age restrictions and is open to everyone.

Senior A

Paddlers and helms whose 40th or later birthday falls in the year of competition are eligible for the Senior A team.

Drummers for Senior A can be younger but must be at least 12 years of age in the year of competition.

There is no upper age limit. Anyone who is eligible for Senior A is also eligible for the Premier squad and can choose which squad to go for.

Senior B

Paddlers and helms whose 50th or later birthday falls in the year of competition are eligible for the Senior B team.

Drummers for Senior B can be younger but must be at least 12 years of age in the year of competition.

There is no upper age limit. Anyone who is eligible for Senior B is also eligible for the Senior A and Premier squads and can choose which squad to go for.

Senior C

Paddlers and helms whose 60th or later birthday falls in the year of competition are eligible for the Senior C team.

Drummers for Senior C can be younger but must be at least 12 years of age in the year of competition.

There is no upper age limit. Anyone who is eligible for Senior C is also eligible for the Senior B, Senior A or Premier squads and can choose which squad to go for.

Breast Cancer Paddlers (BCP)

All competitors (paddlers, helms and drummers) in the BCP category must be at least 12 years of age in the year of competition and must have been diagnosed with breast cancer. There is no upper age limit.

Anyone who is eligible for BCP is also eligible for one or more of the Premier, Senior A, Senior B or Senior C squads dependent on their age and can choose which squad to go for.

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Trials and selection

If you decide to move on from BNTS, the next step is to trial for a specific squad.

Each squad coach sets their own selection criteria for that campaign. These are written into a selection policy and will be available in advance of trials.

Paddler selection

Assessment for paddlers usually includes a combination of some or all of:

• O1 time trials, commonly over 200m, 500m and sometimes 1,000m
• Dragon boat pull tests
• Gym-based tests such as bench press, pull-ups or rowing erg
• Technical observation

Weightings for each element will be set out in the selection policy.

Drummer and helm selection

Drummers and helms are usually assessed through observation during BNTS sessions rather than through trials on a single day.

Assessment for drummers typically considers:

• Timing and accuracy, including across different race phases and in challenging conditions
• Leadership, communication and presence, including clear vocal and visual cues and the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure
• Understanding of race structure and strategy, including when to drive changes in pace and how to support the coach’s race plan
• Physical suitability for the role, including balance, endurance, voice projection and focus throughout a race
• Team fit and coachability, including working with the helm and coach and responding to feedback
• Understanding of IDBF racing rules

For helms, assessment typically considers:

• Boat control during straight-line racing
• Boat control and strategic thinking during turn racing
• Situational awareness and decision-making
• Communication with the crew
• Ability to work effectively with the coach and drummer
• Physical suitability for the role, including balance, endurance, voice projection and focus throughout a race
• Understanding of IDBF racing rules

Drummers and helms are scored across the various areas and final selection decisions are made by the squad coach, supported by the management team.

Results and feedback

Trial results are shared as promptly as possible. Good practice includes explaining rankings in context and offering feedback where possible. Selection decisions are made by the squad coach in line with the published criteria.

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Training and expectations

If you are selected for a GB squad, you will be expected to commit to the full campaign for that squad. This normally includes:

• A series of UK-based training weekends
• Individual training between camps, including gym and water sessions
• Attendance at the international championship event

Training weekends

Squads typically hold several training weekends between trials and the championship. Dates and venues are organised by each squad management team. Athletes are expected to attend all or most training weekends, barring exceptional circumstances.

Between camps

Athletes are expected to train independently between GB weekends. This usually includes gym-based strength and conditioning, club water sessions and additional water sessions.

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In-country arrangements at championships

Squad management teams usually organise accommodation for the duration of the championship so that the squad stays in the same hotel.

Daily transport between the hotel and the race venue is normally required. This may be arranged as a team coach travelling together, or through hired cars driven by squad members. The exact approach varies by location and will be confirmed closer to the event once local logistics and squad numbers are clear.

Athletes are normally expected to arrive in country at least a couple of days before racing begins. This allows time to train at the race venue, become familiar with the course layout and settle into the environment.

At international championships, race boats are provided by the event organisers. These are typically brand-new boats, with all crews racing in identical equipment.

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Costs and financial commitment

GB dragon boating is self-funded. Costs vary significantly depending on the location of the championship and the structure of the campaign, but athletes will typically need to pay for the following:

• GB racing kit (approx. £60 upwards, depending on items selected)
• Travel to and from UK training venues
• Day fees to cover UK venue hire (usually around £12-£20 per day)
• Overnight accommodation where needed
• Gym membership
• Optional additional coaching or support
• Flights to and from the host country
• In-country transport (coach or car travel to and from the race venue)
• Hotel accommodation in-country
• Race entry fees

For an indication of likely costs for the forthcoming year speak to the appropriate squad management team.

Support available

While GB dragon boating is self-funded, some athletes are able to reduce costs or gain practical support through their employer or other organisations.

In some cases, employers may be willing to:

• Offer a small sponsorship or grant
• Support applications to workplace wellbeing or sports funds
• Agree flexible working arrangements to accommodate training and competition

Similarly, some athletes find that local gyms or training providers are willing to offer discounted membership rates once they understand the level of training required.

The Team GB Manager can provide a supporting letter on request. This letter confirms that the athlete has been selected to represent Great Britain, outlines the training and competition demands of a GB campaign, and confirms that the programme is self-funded.

Support is not guaranteed and varies by employer or organisation.

The BDA also has a hardship fund, which may be able to offer limited support in specific circumstances. For more information, contact the Team GB Manager.

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What next?

For more information or to get involved with the GB process:

• Speak to your club coach for an informal discussion
• Contact a GB squad coach for an informal discussion
• Sign up to attend a BNTS session to try for yourself
• Email ops@thebda.org.uk if you have more general questions