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
Give It A Try! Free Sessions Monday, May 5th
Have you seen dragon boats out on the Thompson River? Did you know that our Kamloops Interior Dragons (KIDS) team is open to ages 50+ ? Would you like to give dragon boating a try, make some new friends, get some exercise and have a lot of fun? Join us for a FREE...
Pot Luck for all teams, Saturday, May 3rd
Our first Pot Luck of the season! All teams Group Social right after practice.
Paddles Up! WE ARE ON THE WATER!! Saturday, April 12th, 8 am
Dust off your paddle and we'll see you at the dragon boat compound near the Pioneer Park Boat launch. We provide pfds, paddles, boats, instructions and good times!
Flip the Boats: Saturday, April 5th, 10 am
Paddling season is quickly approaching and Saturday, April 5th, 10am to noon is set for flipping the boats and cleaning up the compound! All three teams will be there. Many hands make light work. Bring your own gloves please.
Newsletter – Winter 2025
Read our KIDS Winter newsletter 2025 for updates on Festivals, Fundraising, Fitness, and more!
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!