MEET THE TEAM
GOAL
The Water Vipers DBC aims to be the highest performing ‘twice-per-week’ dragon boat team in Toronto. We aspire to be the best dragon boat crew without having to sacrifice other commitments in life.
VISION
We are committed at doing more with less, by striving for efficient training with effective methods to deliver consistently high performing results. We train with a mindset guided by focused training that screams quality over quantity.
VALUES
Everything we do is inspired by our core values:
Fitness. Inclusiveness. Growth. Development. Passion.
Like a compass, these values guide us and help determine what we do and who we are.
2019 Team photo at Woodstock Dragon Boat Festival
WE ARE A CREW BUT A CREW WITHIN
A COMMUNITY OF THE PAST AND PRESENT
The Water Vipers Dragon Boat Team was founded in 2008 by alumnus from University of Toronto. Over the years, we have grown into a multicultural and diverse team with community members mixed with young graduates from schools across Ontario. Our lives are hectic as anyone of you will experience, but we always find the time and resources to improve as athletes. With a great balance between being competitive and having fun, Water Vipers has outperformed expectations year after year without having to sacrifice the biggest moments of our lives.
Since 2008, Water Vipers has helped to grow plenty of enduring paddlers with many went on to accomplish bigger things. As a crew we are also a community because we can't be where we are today without the past and we can't move forward without the present. We value each and everyone's contribution to the team over the years in creating a lasting legacy within our community.
Andrew's experience in dragon boating spans 14+ years and has been leading the Water Vipers since 2008! His understanding of the challenges recreational athletes face in balancing life and a competitive sport allows him to develop sustainable on-water training program while have fun at the same time. • Can-fit pro certified • Completed level 2 DBC Coaching certification • Owner of Afterburn Performance Fitness • Co-Director of Operations and General Manager at Sunnyside Paddling Club
As a competitive paddler, certified strength/conditioning specialist, and certified athletic therapist, Khanh understands the demands of our sport. His expertise allows him to work with individuals and teams to prevent injuries while improving physical performance. • Co-Owner Lawrence Park Health providing personal training and therapy to public • Athletic Therapist at Stouffville Spirits Junior A Hockey Team • Co-Director of Operations and General Manager at Sunnyside Paddling club
LAND COACH
As a well-proven coach, Nikola has nearly 10 years of experience designing paddling programs and coaching at all levels including youth, university, premier, senior women, and novice adults. Nikola has successfully adapted high performance approach in these varied settings to achieve unprecedented results for each crew, but more importantly, Nikola possesses a deep understanding of the sport thus rewarding meaningful engagement for each athlete.
LESS IS MORE
OFF-SEASON INDOOR TRAINING (OCT 2023-APRIL 2024)
LAND & POOL TRAINING AT AFTERBURN FITNESS 1 x PER WEEK
SATURDAY 7:30am to 9:50am
AFTERBURN
Water Vipers are proudly sponsored by Afterburn, a one-of-kind facility that’s redefining the dragon boat experience in Toronto. The gym boasts of GTA’s only indoor dragon boat pool and a 4500 sq. ft. strength and conditioning space.
Water Vipers and Afterburn share similar values, in that both entities work effectively, efficiently and sustainably.
ADDRESS
ON-SEASON WATER TRAINING (APRIL 2024-SEPT 2024)
DRAGONBOAT AT SUNNYSIDE PADDLING CLUB 2 x PER WEEK
WEDNESDAY
6:30-7:30pm
SATURDAY
TBD but it will be in the morning before noon
OC-1 GROUP SESSION AT CHERRY BEACH 1 x PER WEEK
MONDAY
1st session: 5:00-6:15pm
2nd session: 6:00-7:15pm
3rd session: 7:15-8:30pm
SUNNYSIDE
In 2022, Water Vipers made the move to hold water practices at Sunnyside. As a Toronto community-based non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of paddle sports, Sunnyside Paddling Club is North America’s largest paddling club with 1,300 active members.
ADDRESS
INTRODUCING SMALL BOAT OUTRIGGER CANOE PADDLING
As an initiative in 2021, Water Vipers supplemented dragonboating with outrigger canoe training using our colorful collection of volkboots OC-1 to enhance our athletes experience in the sport of paddling.
In 2023, we held three OC-1 group sessions every Monday at Cherry Beach Toronto which we will continue to offer for the 2024 season.
PADDLE TRAVEL
So you like to paddle, but you also enjoy travelling.. maybe? As a fun way to experience both (no pressure), Water Vipers has been competing nationally/abroad since 2016.. we are not just talking about Montreal.
Check out below!
In 2022, Water Vipers competed in the Concord Pacific Dragonboat Festival at Vancouver BC, North America's largest and most competitive dragon boat festival with +100 teams in attendance. We finished 5th overall in the Grand A Final and were humbled by the experience.
In 2019, Water Vipers partook in the Hong Kong International Dragonboat Festival sponsored by the HK Tourism Board and the HK China Dragon Boat Association. Although it was untimely, we still competed, paddled, OC6 with the Lantau Boat Club, and had a blast with all the international teams. Did I mention about the Taiwan trip?
In 2018, Water Vipers travelled to Chicago, Illinois and competed in the GWN Chicago International Dragonboat Festival. As the grand champion of GWN Chicago, this is where we discovered deep-dish pizza and never looked back.
ARE YOU A NEW OR RETURNING PADDLER?
We understand.. trying out a new sport or getting back to it again after many years off is tough! It is why in 2023, on top of our competitive, more experienced crew, we expanded to include a second boat for the purpose of developing athletes in the sport of paddling.
For the first time in Vipers history, we hosted two boats for all the regional regattas and achieved great success in continuing to grow the dragonboat community and introducing what paddling is all about.
Our Program
For the 2024 season, we are currently offering 3 programs for all the recruits depending on your goals, drive, & how much you are willing to commit
Master
Competitive Crew
The Master program is for both new & experienced paddlers wanting to continue to improve their fitness & paddling technique, continue to learn/grow (be the best at what you can be), & to compete at a higher level.
The self-commitment & accountability level will be higher but you'll be supported with the right resources, knowledge, & expertise to achieve your goals.
Off-season commitment:
Mandatory off-season training from
October 2023 to April 2024
On-water commitment:
2 x a week dragonboat from
April to September
Optional outrigger canoe program
Learn to Train
The Club
The Learn to Train program is for both new & experienced paddlers seeking to improve their fitness & paddling technique but wanting to compete at a lighter pace & with less time commitment.
If you need a team to hone your skill, develop your technique, or just want to be part of a great community because you enjoy paddling, this program is suitable for you.
Off-season commitment:
Optional (recommended) off-season training from October 2023 to April 2024
Early season pool training starts in
March 2024
On-water commitment:
2 or 1 x a week dragonboat from
April to September
Optional outrigger canoe program
Learn to Paddle
Dragonboat Introduction
The Learn to Paddle program offers a great introduction to dragonboat and is intended for brand new paddlers wanting to experience what dragonboat racing is all about!
This program will start in June and run for 5 water practices before the 1st regatta. Absolutely no experience is require & open to anyone!
On-water commitment:
1 x a week dragonboat (June - July)
For any questions regarding the training, schedule, & the cost, please email wvipers@gmail.com
and we are happy to address
2024
READY READY
1
ONCE A WEEK LAND & POOL OFF-SEASON TRAINING
2
2 TIMES A WEEK DB PRACTICE WITH
1 OC SESSION (RECOMMENDED)
4
4 REGATTAS FOR MASTER & LTT IN 2024
TBD, possibly Pickering, Center Island
Hong Kong!?, Nationals, Montreal, or GWN Sport & Challenge
10
10 MONTHS OF SOLID ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
