Membership

BDA membership supports the development of dragon boat racing in Great Britain and provides access to a range of services, competitions, insurance and member benefits.

There are two types of BDA membership:

Club membership – for clubs wishing to affiliate to the BDA.
Individual membership – for people taking part in or supporting the sport.

Both can be bought online via the BDA Membership Platform.

Club membership

BDA club membership is for dragon boat clubs wishing to affiliate to the BDA.

BDA affiliation gives clubs:

Public liability insurance for club activities
Directors' and officers' indemnity insurance
Access to BDA safeguarding policy and advice
Access to the BDA coaching scheme
Access to the BDA's knowledge base (including event running, risk assessment and club advisory)
Access to the BDA club development fund
Regular communication from the BDA to stay up to date
Inclusion in the BDA 'find a club' tool

If your club wants to compete in the National League, you'll also need National League competition first crew membership. Clubs entering additional crews in the league need to purchase Additional crew National League competition entry for each additional crew.

National League competition first crew membership gives clubs:

Entry to the National League and National Championships
The opportunity to enter EDBF and IDBF Club Crews events

Club membership runs until 31 March each year and is renewed annually.

Individual membership

BDA individual membership is for people involved in dragon boating, whether as paddlers, volunteers or supporters. Individual membership runs for 12 months from the date of purchase.

We currently offer three individual membership categories for people actively taking part in dragon boating:

Adult membership - £35
Student membership (proof of full-time student status required) - £25
Under-18 membership - £25

Membership benefits include:

Public liability insurance
Personal accident cover
Insurance cover for accidental death, dismemberment, disablement, broken bones, dental treatment or hospitalisation
Participation in BDA league race events and National Championships
Eligibility to attend BDA Congress and vote at the AGM
Eligibility to stand for the BDA Executive Committee
Eligibility to attend BNTS training and trial for GB squads (subject to residency rules)
Access to the BDA coaching scheme and qualifications
Access to race officials training and qualifications
Access to other training guides and BDA policies
Access to the Membership Platform
Regular newsletters and communication from the BDA to stay up to date

For full details of each membership category and the benefits included, please visit the BDA Membership Platform.

Supporter membership

For non-paddling club members and others who wish to support the sport without racing, we offer supporter membership. This membership costs £10 per year and includes:

All insurance benefits as above
Eligibility to attend BDA Congress
Eligibility to stand for the BDA Executive Committee
Access to race officials training and qualifications
Access to the Membership Platform
Regular newsletters and communication from the BDA to stay up to date

It does not include eligibility to race.

For full details of each membership category and the benefits included, please visit the BDA Membership Platform.

Membership Platform

The BDA Membership Platform is where clubs and members can manage their membership, enter race events and access a range of BDA services.

The platform allows you to:

Buy or renew membership
Manage your personal details
Link yourself to a club
Enter BDA events
Manage club information (club administrators)

Insurance

Membership provides access to insurance arranged by the BDA.

Information about the cover provided, together with policy documents and optional additional insurance for clubs, is available on our insurance microsite.