Kamloops Interior Dragon boat Club
Where men and women 50 or older train and compete on the Thompson River.
Glossary of Terms
festivals
FAQS
practice schedules
Club News
Testing The Waters – FULL
We've had such interest in our Testing the Waters event for new paddlers that we are now full. Watch for Give It A Try in Spring 2026! Come try out Dragon Boating for free! Men and women 50 and older are welcome! No experience needed. All equipment provided. This will...
Kamloops Dragonboat Festival, Aug 9th
Join us on the river August 9th, 2025 for the Kamloops Dragonboat Festival at Riverside Park! Details on the Kamloops Sports Council website. A full day where the rivers meet, with Hot Nite in the City (cars!), Ribfest, and Music in the Park.
Newsletter – Summer 2025
Read our KIDS Summer 2025 newsletter for updates on Festivals, Fundraising, and more!
Newsletter – Spring 2025
Read our KIDS Spring 2025 newsletter for updates on Festivals, Fundraising, and more!
Burger Night Fundraiser! June 29
Help the KIDS raise funds to purchase a much-needed new boat! Join us for Burger Night at Fox 'N Hounds on Sunday, June 29, 4 - 8pm. Your $25 ticket gets you dinner - a deluxe burger (beef, chicken, or veggie) with fries or garden salad - and great company. We'll have...
Become a Member
Think you are ready to start paddling? Learn more about our fees, schedule and policies.
Once Upon A Time We Were 55+
The Kamloops Interior Dragon Boat CLUB was started in 2016 and incorporated as the Kamloops Interior Dragons Society (KIDS) in 2017.
KIDS is a recreational team of men and women 50 years old or better, with a focus on developing paddling skills, fitness, friendships, and becoming race ready (for those who are interested in racing). We practice on the South and North Thompson rivers, launching from the Pioneer Park boat launch three times a week.
Our club generally participates in 4 festivals in the Shuswap, Okanagan or Lower Mainland as well as the Kamloops festival in early August.
KIDS is volunteer-run with experienced coaches and paddlers of all levels. New paddlers are encouraged to try dragon boating early in the season, no experience is necessary. All equipment is supplied, and you can attend three practices for free before deciding if you are ready to join KIDS and make dragon boating a regular part of your life.
Dragon Boat History
Dragon Boat racing has its roots in ancient myths and legends. It began more than 2,000 years ago in the valleys of southern China as a fertility rite held during the summer solstice to ensure plentiful crops and to avert misfortune. Early dragon boat races were mock battles to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon.
Dragon boat racing in Canada started during Expo 1986 in Vancouver, when the government of Hong Kong gifted six teak dragon boats to compete in the spirit of sport, cultural understanding, and friendship.
Dragon boating has become the world’s fastest growing water sport, especially among women and men aged 50+, with approximately 50 million paddlers participating in every continent.
Kamloops first dragon boat club started in 1994 with members paddling in 10-man voyageur canoes on the South Thompson River. The city currently has three dragon boat clubs – KIDS, which is for men and women aged 50 years and older, Kamloops Dragon Boat Club, which is for women and men of any age, and Spirit Warriors, which is a breast cancer survivor team.
Upcoming Events
Paddling will start on Saturday, April 12, 2025!
other ACTIVITIES
Dragon boat season wraps up around the middle of September and until we’re back on the water in April we must somehow entertain ourselves and stay in shape without the benefit of regular practices! The great advantage to belonging to our dragon boat club is that you can always find someone with whom to get active.
It is a very good idea to exercise regularly during the off season. Some KIDS organize themselves to go biking, hiking, snowshoeing or skiing. Many others join a curling or running club or renew their gym memberships and enjoy yoga, weight lifting, spinning, or whatever makes them happy and keeps them fit. You’ll be surprised at how many other paddlers you will run into!