What are the details about practices?
COVID Considerations
All paddlers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Currently, wearing a mask is not required on the dock or while paddling, but is optional and an individual’s decision.
All fitness levels are welcome. You will build muscles, body tone, and energy, and feel great!
Practice starts at 9:00 am, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, regardless of weather (see Exceptions, below). Arrive at the flag pole plaza overlooking the North Dock of the Riverplace Marina by 8:30am. See location map and following parking map.
Blue lines = street parking
Red diamond = public garage
Green hex = SW Mill St. parking
Download doc about: Discount Options
The first 3 practices are free for new paddlers but must be pre-arranged (see Paddle with us). Anyone at least 14 years old (minors must be with guardian) is welcome to paddle with us for those free practices. Thereafter, if you are at least 50 years old we welcome you to join Golden Dragons.
To pre-arrange your first paddle with us, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and you must sign waivers. See Paddle with us before the day you come to paddle.
It’s a water sport! You will likely be splashed. Dress accordingly and for the weather.
Arrive at the flagpole at 8:30am and identify yourself as a new paddler to anyone there. They can introduce you to the coach and mentor for the day. The coach will instruct you about our stroke. The mentor will help you with the life jacket and paddle which you can use any time you paddle as you need, seat you in the boat, and stay with you throughout the practice.
As safety is always an important concern for Golden Dragons, new paddlers should sit in boat #2 (ask which one it is) while you begin learning your stroke and practice getting in and out safely. Ask the caller, the person at the front of the boat who faces towards the back, which bench they would like you to sit on during the session.
If you would like to get started on learning about the techniques of dragon boat paddling, click Learn.
Do we always paddle every Mon, Wed and Fri?
Yes, the club plans to paddle 3 days a week (MWF 9am) year-round regardless whether it is a holiday of any kind, and whatever the weather, EXCEPT when there is a safety issue, such as:
Unsafe river: DragonSports USA declares conditions unsafe to be on the river. Examples are high winds, fast current, flooding, or floating debris. Any such declaration from DSUSA is final and remains in effect until explicitly rescinded. Check DSUSA if you suspect a closure.
Unsafe city travel: The Portland Public Schools close or the Portland Bureau of Transportation closes some roads or bridges, usually due to weather conditions such as ice or snow. Check our Home page or local news if you suspect a closure.
At-the-dock unsafe conditions: A tiller, caller or club officer determines, usually at the dock, that paddling is unsafe, such as too few paddlers, possible lightning or fog.
Affiliated Organizations
Pacific Dragon Boat Association