The Club of the Week: The St Neots Dragon Boat Team

Who are the St Neots Dragon Boat Team?

The St Neots Dragon Boat Team (SNDBT) are the UK's largest Dragon Boat team with over 100 members.

The team was founded in 1997, and two of the founding members are still in the team.

What do they do?

The team spend their time training for fun, fitness and races.

The majority of the members race all over the country, and some members have even represented Great Britain at international events across the world. A few members have become world champions in their classes.

There a lot of members who are part of the club to raise their fitness levels and have fun.

Where and how often do they meet?

The St Neots Dragon Boat Team have ben "proudly based at St Neots Rowing Club" since 1999.

There are training sessions four times a week. These are as follows:

Wednesday's at 12:30pm -  A midweek, midday session for a lunchtime work out.

Wednesday's at 6:30pm - A midweek, evening session during British Summer Time.

Friday's at 7pm - These sessions alternate between men's and women's only sessions. There is usually beer, wine or both afterwards.

The St Neots Dragon Boat Team race up to seven times a year, all over the country. There are also a number of social functions and special events throughout the year.

Are they looking for new people to join?

"ALWAYS!", says the club. The team holds a number of unique Learn2Paddle courses through the year, with the next one falling on The Chinese Lunar New Year, which just so happens to be The Year of the Dragon.

The Learn2Paddle courses are four weeks long. The courses cost £10 to secure a sport, and triallists can attend other sessions outside of the Learn2Paddle courses.

People can also sign up for the club outside of the Learn2Paddle courses.

Do new people need any experience?

The only requirements are a base level of fitness, a willingness to learn, and a laugh.

Are there joining costs or membership fees?

The club keeps things "super reasonable". Members have to become members of the sports governing body, which is The British Dragonboat Racing Association, which costs £35 per annum. Students and under 18s will get a subsidised membership.

The St Neots Dragon Boat Team asks for £192 per annum, which is split into a monthly payment of only £16. Memberships for under 18s and senior citizens is subsidised by 50 per cent.

Do people need special equipment?

The club provides everything a beginner would need, including a paddle, a personal floatation device, and a heavily subsidised t-shirt once members have joined fully.

Triallist's are recommended to wear light, gym style gear that they don't mind getting a bit wet, and to bring a drink. Heavy boots and denim is not permitted. 

A word from the club

"We pride ourselves on a fun, friendly and inclusive environment. We have a really diverse membership, with paddlers as young as 14 and some not quite so young. 

"One of the most amazing things we have at SNDBT would be parents and children partaking in the same sport, at the same time, together! 

Whilst we all train together, we have several subsections and dedicated sessions for those groups. Ladies, The Spartans (u18s) Mens, Breast Cancer Survivors and we'll soon be working to put together a group to support limbless veterans within the sport locally. "

Contact details

info@stneotsdbt.co.uk

07730 556788

Any local sports clubs who would like to be in our Club of the Week feature can get in touch at: francesca.herring@newsquest.co.uk