‘Dotting the eyes’ of our dragons.

This tradition recalls the origins of dragon boat paddling as a ceremonial event in China. Many modern teams acknowledge these traditions especially within the breast cancer survivor dragon boat family of teams. Paddlers for Life Windermere also chose this moment to acknowledge the support of family members and ... More

A fantastic day of paddling and coaching.

A coaching session to prepare some team members for the International Participatory Festival with the IBCPC dragon boat festival in Aix-les-Bains, France in August. Keni visited from the Serpees (Three River Serpents) in Durham for another great day of paddling in lovely conditions. We really appreciate and enjoy ... More

Paddling session with visitors Manchester Dragoneers

Some Manchester Dragoneers paddlers joined us for training. More

Our 2025 season ends with a flower ceremony.

Our season ends in October and we prepare our dragons for winter 'sleep' by closing their eyes.Barbara had prepared flowers for the ceremony and Sandra helped with decorating the drum and dragons with help from other paddlers. We assembled on the beach as paddlers took turns to paint the eyes of our dragons ... More

A wonderful donation from Carnforth Community Choir

The choir performed their summer concert choosing our charity to benefit from the proceeds. We are so thankful of their generous donation of £900. Gina, one of our members, sings in the choir and brought a cheque to a recent paddling session to present to Paddlers for Life. We aim to ensure access to all who ... More

Cross Bay walk fundraiser 2025

The forecast for Arnside was not optimistic with high chance of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms forecast. Fortunately we had only light rain for the first mile or so then dry, calm and warm conditions. Michael and Jo from Guide Over Sands Trust along with their tractor drivers and marshals led us on ... More

Another evening coaching session.

We gathered to give some hotel staff some coaching in dragon boat paddling as a team. They have an entry in the YMCA Lakeside dragon boat regatta on 12th. July 2025. Paddlers for Life will also have a team there. More

Solstice Paddle.

It has become a tradition that we do a long paddle the 10.5 mile length of Windermere around the summer solstice. Initially, in 2010 and 2011, we participated in an event organised by 'Windermere Canoe and Kayak' for any human powered craft. (See here). We paddled the length of Windermere and towed the dragon boats ... More

A great coaching session.

Keni visited from Three River Serpents (Serpees) in Durham to give us paddling tips as we get ready for the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival It's always good for experienced paddlers to be reminded of technique and helpful for newer paddlers to start to understand how to make the stroke efficient and effective. If you ... More

Dotting the dragons’ eyes, 2025

This is done on the fifth day of the fifth Chinese lunar month and recalls the origins of traditional dragon boat ceremonies. Many thanks to Barbara and Sandra who had prepared flowers and other decorations for the the boats and dragon heads and led us through the ceremony. The ceremony ... More