Our History
We have roots that go back to 2005 with the Belleville Dragon Boat Club and the multiple world championship winning Quinte Heat but our reemergence began in 2016 with the purchase of a couple of used boats, a few committed paddlers, and a decision to train for the IDBF dragon boat world championships in Hungary in 2018.
From Here to Hungary
In 2017 we formed an alliance with like minded athletes from other small town Ontario clubs, forming the LNQ (London, Niagara Quinte) Dragon Boat Club to better compete with larger clubs from major cities across Canada and around the world. Soon paddlers from Sudbury joined with us and in 2017 LNQ qualified boats in all the 7 categories we competed in at the Canadian championships in Welland Ontario, from A (over 40) to C (over 60). In 2018, we became The Great Lake Paddlers and took aim at Hungary with over 60 athletes..
At the 11th IDBF World Club Crew Dragon Boat Championships we brought home one gold and 3 bronze. The gold and bronze coming in the Senior C Open 500m and 200m Small Boat races and bronze in the Senior C Women's 500m Small Boat.
We were the fastest team on the water in the Grand Final of the Senior B Open 500m race as well but were given bronze after a one second penalty for a inadequate musical support (late start of drumming).
It was still an amazing race. And we were the fastest boat in the race.
Onto Sarasota, Florida in 2022 for the 13th IDBF Club Crew World Championships as The Quinte Rouge Paddling Club, and affiliated athletes in The Great Lake Paddlers have qualified as Canadian representatives to the 2022 IDBF Club Crew World Championships, in Sarasota, France. Competing at the Canadian Championships in Regina in 2019, we won the overall Silver in the Sr. B Open after winning the 2 km, silver in the 500m and placing fourth in the 200m. Also, the Sr. C Mixed crew were 3rd overall with excellent performances in the 200m and 500m races.
This July, as we attempt to bring home "The Gold" in 6 different age and gender teams.
Check out our programs section or Contact us for more information.
