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We talk about the races, the medals, the travel and the mates you make along the way. But what about the people at home who make the paddling life possible? Dougie and Hando have the studio to themselves this week, and they’re shining the spotlight on the partners, families and kids who put up with the 5am alarms, the weekends away and the bills that come with chasing a sport you love. Then Hando throws a proper cat among the pigeons... 🔥 Are there performance-enhancing drugs in dragon boating?

World Paddle Games… Queensland… 2030. We can almost feel it! And this bloke thinks it's going to happen. Paddle QLD's Executive Officer Scott Sharples joins us on Episode 17 of Paddles Ready, talking record membership growth, a cracking new initiative to get more youngsters paddling, and why the biggest chapter for paddle sports is just around the corner. ⏱️ 60 SECONDS WITH DOUGIE This week Dougie catches up with Jude from Manila, Philippines for another rapid-fire round of paddling questions. 🔥 HANDO’S HOT TAKE – Are we relying too much on volunteers? 🌏 Visit paddlesready.com 👍 Like the episode💬 Join the conversation🔔 Subscribe for more from the global paddling community📲 Share this episode with your club and paddling mates Paddles Ready — The Global Voice of Paddle Sportshttps://paddlesready.com/

Meri Gibson is back! When Meri joined us for Episode 3, she shared the story behind the international breast cancer survivor paddling movement, which left plenty of us reaching for the tissues! This time, we’re exploring another side of her contribution to the sport.  Alongside her work in the breast cancer survivor community, Meri also serves as Senior Vice President of the International Dragon Boat Federation. This episode we take a deep dive into the future of dragon boating and dragon boat's missing generation.  🎤 PLUS: 60 SECONDS WITH DOUGIE Featuring Fonzie from the Melbourne Flames  🔥 HANDO’S HOT TAKE How do you actually build a dragon boat team from scratch?  Paddles Ready — The Global Voice of Paddle Sports 🌐 Visit: paddlesready.com

The countdown is on. The IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Taipei are getting closer, and the global dragon boat community is gearing up for one of the biggest events on the international paddling calendar. In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando turn their attention to what's happening across the paddling world—from recent European competition and racing in Hong Kong to endurance events in Singapore, the Gorge in the USA, and the huge few months of international competition still to come.  But all roads are beginning to lead to Taipei. The boys discuss how teams prepare for a major multi-day Club Crew World Championships, the differences between national and club competition, tapering and training, and what paddlers can expect when thousands of competitors descend on Taiwan. And Paddles Ready will be right there amongst it. Dougie and Hando reveal more about their plans to head to Taipei, provide coverage from the Championships and launch something new for the growing Paddles Ready community, with the first 1,000 members set to be part of what's coming next.  In this episode: The international dragon boat events heating up around the world The road to the IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Taipei How teams prepare for seven days of world-class racing Nations racing versus Club Crew competition What Dougie and Hando have planned for Taipei The first hints about the new Paddles Ready membership Why the next eight weeks could deliver some incredible international paddling Plus, 60 Seconds with Dougie features Chris from the German Dragons, before Hando fires up another Hot Take: 🔥 Why are dragon boat clubs so bad at marketing themselves? Hando believes clubs are sitting on an enormous untapped resource, the talented people already inside their own paddling communities. Taipei is coming. The world's best clubs are preparing. And Paddles Ready is coming with them. 🌏 Visit https://paddlesready.com/ 🎧 Subscribe and follow Paddles Ready for race coverage, commentary, interviews and stories from across the global paddle community.

East Meets West: Paddles Ready Goes to China with Mr. Luo What happens when you sit down with one of the most influential figures in modern dragon boating? In this special episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down for a fascinating conversation with Mr. Luo, founder of Champion Boats and a passionate advocate for the growth and evolution of dragon boating worldwide live in the studio. From the origins of Champion Boats to the rise of Ice Dragon Boats and Land Dragon Boats, Mr. Luo shares his vision for expanding the sport beyond traditional racing and introducing dragon boating to entirely new audiences. The conversation explores the unique relationship between China's dragon boating culture and the rapidly growing international community, highlighting opportunities to connect paddlers from East and West through shared passion, innovation, and respect for the sport's rich heritage. 🔥 In this episode: The story behind Champion Boats and their global impact How Ice Dragon Boats are creating new opportunities for winter competition The rise of Land Dragon Boats and school-based participation programs Why China remains at the heart of dragon boating's development How dragon boating can continue growing globally through collaboration and innovation Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Wendy 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Is dragon boating doing enough to attract the next generation of paddlers? This episode is a unique look at where dragon boating has come from, where it is today, and where it could be heading in the future. 🌏 Visit paddlesready.com 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

What happens when the sport you've dedicated your life to is suddenly taken away? For New Zealand paddler Mitch Zanstra, rugby was everything until a series of serious injuries and concussions forced him to walk away from the game he loved. Looking for a new purpose, one simple moment changed everything when a cousin handed him a paddle. That paddle led to a journey Mitch could never have imagined.  In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with one of the world's most respected outrigger athletes to talk about resilience, international competition, and the lessons paddling has taught him along the way. Mitch shares how paddling helped him recover physically and mentally, why he immersed himself in Tahitian and Hawaiian paddling culture, and how that path eventually led to representing New Zealand on the world stage.  The conversation also explores the growing relationship between outrigger canoeing and dragon boating, why many of the world's best paddlers compete in both disciplines, and Mitch's incredible experiences racing traditional dragon boats in China. In this episode: Mitch's journey from rugby to international paddling Recovering from concussion and rediscovering purpose Training in Tahiti and Hawaii Representing New Zealand in outrigger canoeing Racing traditional dragon boats in China Why outrigger can make you a better dragon boat paddler Coaching the next generation and giving back to the sport Life lessons from elite competition Plus, Hando's Hot Take asks an important question for every club: Should the fastest paddler automatically become the coach? The boys debate whether leadership, communication and the ability to develop people are more important than simply being the quickest athlete in the boat.  Whether you paddle dragon boats, outriggers, surf skis or simply love hearing inspiring sporting stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🌏 Visit https://paddlesready.com/ 🎧 Subscribe to Paddles Ready for athlete stories, race coverage, expert analysis and conversations from across the global paddle sports community.

Does dragon boating really need the Olympics to succeed? It's a question that's sparked debate for years and in this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie, Hando and Australian representative Ben Livingstone tackle it head-on. Ben's journey into dragon boating is one many paddlers can relate to. After discovering the sport through a corporate regatta, he quickly fell in love with the competition, camaraderie and culture, eventually earning the honour of representing Australia on the world stage. The conversation explores what it truly takes to reach the elite level, from the sacrifices athletes and their families make to the realities of balancing training, work and life. Ben also shares his passion for growing the sport through schools, youth pathways and community participation. The episode finishes with a lively debate on one of dragon boating's biggest talking points: should the sport continue chasing Olympic inclusion, or is its future stronger outside the Olympic movement? In this episode: Ben Livingstone's journey from corporate paddler to Australian representativeThe sacrifices required to compete at the highest levelWhy corporate regattas are one of the sport's greatest recruitment toolsGrowing dragon boating through schools and youth programsHow clubs can attract and retain the next generation of paddlersDoes dragon boating really need the Olympics?Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Nina from AustCham Singapore 🔥 Hando's Hot Take: Has the Olympic conversation become a distraction for dragon boating? Whether you're chasing a national jersey, coaching your local club or simply love being on the water, this episode is packed with honest insights about where the sport is today and where it's heading. 🌏 Visit paddlesready.com 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

Is Dragon Boating Too Obsessed With Tradition? Dragon boating is built on thousands of years of history, culture, and tradition but is tradition helping the sport grow, or is it holding it back? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive into one of the biggest debates facing the sport today. From modern coaching methods and athlete testing to purpose-built dragon boat gyms and the rise of paddle-specific training, the conversation explores how coaching and athlete development have evolved over the past three decades. Hando shares insights from his coaching journey, discussing everything from boat balance and crew selection to video analysis, biomechanics, and the growing influence of outrigger paddling on dragon boat performance. Hando and Dougie also discuss what elite athletes and coaches around the world are doing differently, how national teams are preparing for international competition, and whether the sport is adapting quickly enough to keep pace with modern expectations. In this episode: How dragon boat coaching has evolved over the past 30 yearsThe role of video analysis, biomechanics and athlete testingWhy OC1 and outrigger paddlers are influencing the sportBoat balance, trim and crew selection strategiesThe rise of paddle-specific training and performance gymsHow elite teams prepare for world-level competitionPlus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Eileen from AustCham Singapore 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Is dragon boating too focused on tradition and not focused enough on entertainment? Whether you're a paddler, coach, sweep or team manager, this episode is packed with ideas, opinions and plenty of discussion about where the sport is heading next. Visit paddlesready.com Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

What if one conversation could explain how dragon boating became the global sport we know today? In this special episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Mike Haslam, founding President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), to explore the incredible journey that took dragon boating from a handful of traditional boats in Hong Kong to a worldwide sport involving hundreds of thousands of paddlers. Mike shares firsthand stories from the early days of the sport, the creation of the IDBF, the development of the standard racing boat, and the challenges of growing dragon boating across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. The conversation also dives into the Olympic dream, the ongoing relationship between the IDBF and ICF, and what the future may hold for dragon boating on the world stage. 🔥 In this episode: How dragon boating expanded from Hong Kong to the rest of the world The creation of the International Dragon Boat Federation Why the standard dragon boat and paddle specifications were so important The story behind the small boat and Olympic ambitions The politics, challenges, and opportunities facing dragon boating today Mike's vision for the future of the sport Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Andreas from AustCham 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Who's stronger, a dragon boater or an outrigger paddler? Whether you're new to the sport or have been paddling for decades, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people, decisions, and moments that helped shape modern dragon boating. 🌏 Visit http://paddlesready.com/ 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

Could Australia Host the Biggest Paddle Event in the World? What would happen if every major paddle sport came together for one massive international event? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive into one of the most exciting developments in paddle sports, the proposed World Paddle Games and Australia's bid to host what could become one of the largest paddle events on the planet.  From dragon boating and sprint canoeing to surf skis, outriggers, stand-up paddling, and more, the World Paddle Games could bring thousands of athletes together in a celebration of paddling unlike anything we've seen before. The boys discuss the opportunities this event could create for dragon boating, the impact it could have on youth participation, and why collaboration across paddle sports may be one of the biggest opportunities for growth in the years ahead. 🔥 In this episode: What the proposed World Paddle Games could look like Why Australia is in the running to host the event How dragon boating fits into the future of paddle sports The importance of youth development and school programs Why collaboration between paddle disciplines could benefit everyone👉 Dougie's Quick Dip covering Barcelona, Venice, Ireland, Hong Kong and major dragon boat events happening around the world 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Lilly from the German Dragon Boat Team 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Is technology helping dragon boating evolve or are we losing touch with the sport's traditions? This episode explores where paddle sports are heading and why the next decade could be transformational for the global paddling community. 🌏 Visit paddlesready.com 🎧 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community.

What makes the perfect dragon boat start? Is it power? Technique? Timing? Or is it something else entirely? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie sits down with Hando to unpack one of the most important and most debated aspects of dragon boat racing: the start. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a paddler, sweep, coach, and race strategist, Hando breaks down how starts have evolved over the years, the differences between Asian and Western approaches, and why a great start can set the tone for an entire race. From 200m sprints to 2000m turns, this is a masterclass in race starts from one of the sport's most experienced voices. 🔥 In this episode: How dragon boat starts have evolved over the past 30 years The difference between 200m, 500m, 1000m, and 2000m race starts Why Chinese and Asian starts are influencing crews around the world The importance of boat trim, timing, and synchronization Technique versus power: which matters most? Plus: 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Leonard from Singapore's Dragon Boat Nursery 👉 Hando's Hot Take: Can Australia's dragon boating federations work together if the World Paddle Games come to Australia? Whether you're a novice paddler or a seasoned veteran, this episode will make you think differently about the first few seconds of every race. Visit paddlesready.comSubscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

Can the USA catch China in dragon boating? That’s the question at the centre of this episode of Paddles Ready, as Dougie and Hando sit down with Tommy Leonardi for a deep dive into the rapid rise of USA dragon boating on the world stage. With over 30 years in the sport, 52 world championship medals as both a paddler and coach, and leadership roles across some of America’s most respected dragon boat programs, Tommy shares what’s driving the USA’s growth and why the next era of the sport could be its most competitive yet. From OC1 crossover athletes and evolving race strategies to youth development and club culture, this episode explores how dragon boating is becoming faster, more professional, and more globally competitive than ever before. 🔥 In this episode: Why USA dragon boating is improving so rapidly The rise of OC1, outrigger, and crossover athletes entering the sport How the USA structures club crews and national team pathways Why Club Crew World Championships may be the best event in dragon boating The evolving battle between China, Canada, USA, Australia, and emerging nations Plus:👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Mark Slater from Brisbane River Dragons 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Are there too many dragon boat world titles? This episode is a fascinating look into the evolution of modern dragon boating and the nations trying to push the sport to the next level. 👉 Visit https://paddlesready.com/ 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

How did Canada become one of the strongest dragon boat nations in the world? In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando sit down with Julie Robitaille, President of Dragon Boat Canada, for a deep dive into the rise of Canadian dragon boating on the world stage. From youth development and elite coaching systems to Olympic ambitions and international success, Julie shares what has helped Canada become one of the sport’s true powerhouses, all while balancing participation, inclusivity, and high performance. 🔥 In this episode: How paddling became part of Canada’s sporting DNA The systems and coaching structures behind Canada’s international success Why youth development is critical for the next generation of paddlers Canada’s vision for the future of dragon boating and Olympic inclusion The balance between elite racing and participation across 100,000+ paddlers nationwide Plus:👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Aiden from Brisbane Typhoon 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Are dragon boating teams starting to attract elite athletes from other paddle sports? This episode is a fascinating look at how one nation built a world-class dragon boating program and where the sport could be heading next. 👉 Visit https://paddlesready.com/👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

Is dragon boating a sport… or just a festival? It’s a question that comes up more often than you’d think and in this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando dive straight into it. From local regattas to global events, dragon boating is built on more than just racing. It’s culture, tradition, community and above all, club pride. In this episode, the boys break down what makes club identity so powerful across the world, from team songs and uniforms to international festivals and long-standing traditions that bring paddlers together. 🔥 In this episode: What “club pride” really means across different countries and cultures The traditions that define dragon boating from local festivals to global events How teams build identity through uniforms, rituals, and shared history The balance between competition, culture, and community in the sport Why dragon boating continues to grow as one of the most inclusive global sports Plus:👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring Tracey from Gold Coast Dragons 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Is dragon boating truly a sport or just a festival? This episode explores the heart of the sport on and off the water. 👉 Visit paddlesready.com 👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

“We are a sport.” It’s a simple statement but it sits at the centre of one of the biggest conversations in dragon boating today. In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Claudio Schermi, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the sport. Broadcast live from Macau, Claudio shares exclusive insight into the global growth of dragon boating, the recent milestone of establishing the IDBF headquarters in Hong Kong, and what it will take for the sport to reach the next level. In this episode: The global expansion of dragon boating across 80+ member federations Why dragon boating must be recognised as its own sport, not a discipline The role of club crews and why they are the foundation of the sport The pathway toward Olympic recognition and global legitimacy The economic and cultural impact of major dragon boat events Plus:👉 Hando’s Phantom Call returns with a fast-paced 100m race simulation 👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring rapid-fire insights from the paddling community 👉 Hot Take of the Week: Technique vs power; what actually wins races? This episode goes beyond racing; it’s about identity, growth, and where dragon boating is heading on the global stage. Visit paddlesready.com. Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community