How to Join

How to join the best engineering student dragon boat team on the planet!

To be added to our mailing list, click here. To learn about tryouts, read on!

When are tryouts?

Tryouts start on November 5th, 2011 and the team will be chosen in February. Tryouts will be suspended during exam season, and will resume in the new year. Once per week practices begin immediately after the team is selected. Full practice schedule starts in May, after school finishes. Keep your eyes open for posters, Skule digest announcements, plasma screen ads, and smiling people advertising the start of tryouts!

Why should I join the Iron Dragons?

Many many reasons!

• You get in shape and stay in shape for the whole summer. You'll be working out with about lots of other people who will be a great source of motivation.
• You get to participate in the fastest growing water sport in the world. There's nothing better than getting out on the water on a hot summer evening and paddling with the team.
• You get to meet new people. You'll be hanging out with a group of really great people for the whole summer. The dragon boat team will quickly become your new family.
• You get to participate in team social events. The team once went white water rafting in Quebec!
• You get to race in a lot of competitions and win snazzy medals and trophies.
• Your summer will be filled with fun and great memories.

Am I eligible to join the team?

In order to be eligible to join the Iron Dragons, you must be a full-time U of T Engineering student (undergraduate or graduate) during the academic year before the season. For example, if you are in the class of 2T1 or 2T0+PEY, you are still eligible to paddle in the summer of 2021. PEY students are eligible too!

What kind of time commitment does dragon boat involve?

Being on the dragon boat team is a huge time commitment. Practices are only held once a week during the school year, usually on 2 hours on Saturdays, to accommodate heavy engineering workloads. During the summer, practices alone are 3 times a week (approximately 2 hours each), on top actual competitions (which often last entire weekends), team social events, and travel time to competitions. We look for highly committed individuals to be members of the team.

How long does the season run for?

The season runs from the end of tryouts right up to the end of July (last race).

Does it cost anything to join the team?

Yes. There is a non-refundable $10 tryout fee that is used to cover costs of renting pools and gyms. If you make the team, there is a $135 membership fee that is used to help cover the costs of uniforms, warm up shirts, boat and pool rentals for practices, and race registration.

When and where are practices held during the season?

Practice times during the summer are usually:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM
• Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM

Practices are held at:

• Back Campus and Hart House,
• Pools at UTS and/or the Athletic Centre, and
• Sunnyside Beach.

All practices are mandatory and 2 to 2.5 hours long.

Do I have to have previous experience to join the team?

None at all! You will be taught everything you need to know about dragon boating.

I haven't worked out all term, but I would really like to join the team. Should I bother to tryout?

Yes! During the tryouts, it is true that we look for general fitness, but you certainly don't have to be a marathon runner or weightlifter to make the team. What we really look for is spirited, enthusiastic, motivated, and committed individuals who have a good sense of team work. Physical fitness is something that can be improved on during the season—even during the tryouts!

OK, I'm convinced! How do I join?

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Come to one of our information sessions.*
2. Fill out the Application Form!
3. Check out information about tryouts!

* not mandatory but highly encouraged