Dragon Boat Coaching, Paddling and Steering Clinics
June 15/16, 2013 in San Francisco, CA

The third weekend in June there will be three clinics in San Francisco, CA. Saturday June 15th is an Intermediate Coaching Clinic and concurrently an Intermediate/Advanced Steering Clinic. On Sunday there will be an Intermediate/Advanced Paddlers Clinic.

For more details visit:
http://www.usdragonboatcoach.com/schedule

Dragon Boat Coaching Clinic April 6th and 7th, 2013 in Portland, OR.

The first weekend in April there will be a coaching clinic in Portland. Saturday is basic coaching skills for new and developing coaches. Sunday is an intermediate clinic for coaches who have basic coaching skills or who have attended the Saturday clinic.

Who should attend? Anyone who is interested in learning the skills needed to coach a dragon boat team or is interested in advancing their current skills under the tutelage of a World Champion coach. If you are the coach by default, are not sure if your skills are as effective as they should be or are interested learning about coaching then the Basic Clinic is perfect. If you are currently a recreational level coach who is interested in taking your skills up a level, the intermediate level clinic is perfect. No matter what level you coach this will give you new insights and help rejuvenate your program. Paddlers - Take up a collection and send your coach. Your coach does a lot for your team and this is a great way to say thanks. The skills and techniques that will come back to your team are worth the investment.

Why? World Class coaches have years of coaching and paddling experience. You will learn the fundamental skills you need to be a coach in today's competitive dragon boat environment. Topics will include coaching theory, stroke technique, practice planning, drills, safety and more. These are intense one day clinics. This is a great opportunity to understand what makes championship teams operate at such a high level. If you have ever asked the question "why does that team always win?" then this is the clinic where you will find the answers.

Where? The clinic will be held in Vancouver, Washington which is a suburb of Portland, Oregon. All on water activities will be at Vancouver Lake. This is a water sport, you will get wet.

When? April 6th and/or 7th. These are all day clinics with few breaks.

How? Double Fifth Dragon Boating is sponsoring the clinic so contact Jeff Campbell for more information and to register. These clinics are limited to the FIRST TWENTY paid registrants. Preference will be given to individuals who want to participate both days so the Intermediate Clinic may be limited.

How much? $300 per session or $500 for both days. This includes continental breakfast, lunch and a hosted reception on Saturday evening for participants from either day. If you are not sure which class to attend you probably should do both. There is information in both classes that will benefit coaches of all levels.

Tell me more! The clinic will be taught by Connie Flesuras. Connie has been a member and coach of the Wasabi Paddling Club in Portland for over 20 years. She has been participating in dragon boating at a world-class level since 1999. Her teams consistently reach the podium, usually to collect the gold for their division. She and many of the paddlers she has coached are World Champions. Connie is considered by many as one of the top coaches in the USA today. Coach Connie's teams consistently perform at highly elite levels and she has paddled and coached on multiple US National teams. She is a coaches coach. There currently is no national certification for coaching, but Connie created and has submitted the criteria for coaching certification in the USA. This certification program is to be considered by the USDBF and will hopefully be implemented. These clinics follow the proposed certification criteria. The USDBF has not endorsed this program or clinic.

This clinic will sell out. For out of town attendees we can help with hotel recommendations and transportation arrangements. If you are flying we'll meet you at the airport so you don't even need to rent a car.

Thanks and I hope to see you there.
Jeff Campbell
Double Fifth Dragon Boating
877-872-3211

2013 USDBF National Team Trials and Qualification Guidelines have been posted

Premier, Senior A, B and C
Paddlers who wish to be considered for the USDBF National Team will be required to participate in a 500 meter OC-1 trial. Testing is single sided with a dragon boat paddle. More than one trial may be necessary and a in person or video assessment of paddling may be conducted prior to selection.

Junior & U24
Each class coach will determine the selection methods to be used. Junior and U24 paddlers with OC1 experience are encouraged to participate in the time trials below. Referrals from coaches are required for Junior & U24 paddlers.

Outrigger Time Trial Dates & Locations can be found on the USDBF website: http://www.usdbf.org/about_us/team_usa

IDBF World Championships (U23 Division)

At this time we are looking to gage interest in putting a competitive crew together to represent the U.S. in the Under 23 division this summer for the world dragon boat championships in Szeged, Hungary. Please see the information below and let us know if you would be interested at representing your country at this event!

WHAT:
11th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championship
Maty-ér, National Olympic Regatta Centre
Szeged, Hungary - 24-28 July 2013

We would be looking to enter teams in the Standard boat division (20 paddlers) which also allows 4 paddlers with birth years 1995 or 1996 and 2 born in 87 or 88 as well as the Small boat division (10 paddlers ) with an allowance of 3 and 1 within the additional ages listed above.

More details can be found here http://www.pdbausa.org/uploads/pdbausa.org/files/attachment/asset/31/U23_Announcement.docx

Check out the 2013 USDBF Club Crew National Championships
Mercer County Park, West Windsor, New Jersey
Saturday and Sunday September 14 and 15, 2013