Paradragons / Para-Athletes (PD)
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The Paradragons Division is an exciting and fairly new division of Para-Athletes within the sport of dragon boat. Paddlers are defined by the IDBF as athletes who have some form of impairment such as physical, psychological, neurological, sensory, developmental, or intellectual. Para-paddlers participate both recreationally and competitively throughout the U.S. on festival teams, individual club crew teams and with designated Paradragon teams. A PD1 division (or boat designation) are paddlers who are all Para-paddlers. PD teams can include Support Paddlers (able-bodied paddlers) to make up PD2 division boats with a 50:50 mix. |
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Under the USDBF, the Paradragons Committee (within the Special Interests Committee) promotes, supports, and develops the PD divisions in the US.
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THE VISION - to create opportunities for anyone to compete regardless of age, gender, or impairment.
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THE STRATEGY - to create an environment that encourages competition and thus greater participation.
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THE PHILOSOPHY - open to anyone with any impairment, open to any age, open to any gender.
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THE RULE BOOK - to integrate all three aspects of the above philosophy to allow different athletes to race fairly against each other. A "scoring" system is used to ensure fairness between teams.
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RACE CATEGORIES - all races will be "Open" (no age or gender restrictions, standard & small boat), and all competition distances. A PD1 classification is deemed as all paddlers onboard are designated Para-paddlers. The PD2 configuration of a boat is half Para-paddlers and half Support paddlers (able-bodied).
This division is growing and the Paradragon Committee's goal is to create awareness and encourage participation across the country.For more information about the Paradragons Racing Category by the IDBF, click the button below.
Learn more about Paradragon racing
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During the 2023 IDBF World Championships in Thailand, the Paradragon Division made its inaugural debut.Our PD TEAM USA brought home three (3) bronze medals in the 2K, 200m and 500m races respectively during the 2025 IDBF World Championships in Germany.
Learn more about Paradragon Team USA
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Para Paddlers Around the Country
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CCNC 2025 Paradragons Teams
 Out of Sight Dragons |
 Gold Medal Adaptive Fusion Long Beach, California |
 Collective Team |
Save The Dates
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Resources and FAQs | Photo Gallery
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 Out of the chair and Into the boat |
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Para Teams (Blue Pins):
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Para-Committee Paddlers (Purple Pins):
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