Happy New Year!

2020… well, it certainly wasn’t what anyone expected. We started the year off in mid-January with our Annual General Meeting, announcing some of the plans for the upcoming season. The races were all chosen, with practice times scheduled, and registration fees starting to roll in. We brought two teams to the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival in February, and then… Covid-19 put a stop to everything.

Like most team sporting organizations, we were stopped in our tracks. Fortunately the Board made a decision early on not to register for any festivals or incur any additional expenses until we knew for certain what the situation was for us. 

With the annual membership fees we received, some additional fundraising and some generous donations, we have been able to weather the storm and actually come out ahead. When the time comes to get back out on the water, we will be ready! 

While none of us were able to get in a dragon boat this summer, we were heartened to see the large number of our members taking advantage of the fantastic summer weather in their canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. Kathleen, our Director of Athletics, was also able to share some great workout videos to keep us motivated and in shape. 

We are now deep into winter, with the worst of the pandemic still ahead of us. Thankfully, we do have good reason for hope – vaccines are slowly starting to roll out with many in the healthcare community having already received their shots. We are cautiously optimistic that a dragon boat season WILL be had in some form in 2021.

Plans are being put in place for a full season, with contingencies for a later start in the year. 

Stay healthy, safe, and strong everyone. Paddles Up!

Sean Levison
President, Dragon Boat Barrie

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM is going virtual this year! It will take place on Thursday January 21st, at 7pm. 

Please RSVP to our Facebook page. The link to the online event can be found there.

We will be discussing our finances, and plans for the 2021 season. Nominations to the Board are also currently being accepted. Nominations may be made in writing with the support of two members in good standing, or on the floor (in this year’s case, on the virtual meeting grid!) of the AGM. 

Nominations can be submitted in advance to

A meeting of the new Board will take place immediately after the AGM.