Dragon Boat Coach Training & Certification

Dragon Boat Canada Coaching Certifications

Interested in getting involved in dragon boat coaching?

Here is your chance!

Since 2025, H2o Dragon Boat has held the official mandate from Bateau Dragon Canada to offer French-language accreditation courses for coaches and steerers.

These courses are aimed at those wishing to develop their skills, become more involved in the sport, and actively contribute to the growth of dragon boating in Quebec and Canada.

Courses offered at the Parc Jean-Drapeau Olympic Basin — Spring 2026

Level 1, Bateau Dragon Canada Coach

This training will provide you with the tools to lead a Community team. It includes the technical and safety basics, the creation of varied exercises, and the planning of training sessions over a full season. You will also learn race tactics to optimize performance in competition, all within a positive and structured environment!

Training schedule:

Training schedule

Training details:

When? January 31 and February 1, 2026, from 9am to 4pm at the Athlete's Quarter of the Olympic Basin.
Where: Athlete's Quarter, Olympic Basin.
Registration fee: $250+tax
Trainer: Daniel Schmouth
Who for? People aged 18 and over who want to coach an intermediate-level dragon boat team.
Notes: The training is conducted in French. Possibility to attend the training virtually (to be confirmed).

To obtain your accreditation, you must provide the three proofs of the following certifications: (you can complete them before or after this training):

A First Aid and CPR certificate (if your CPR is not current, training is available on April 18 at the pool)
BOATSMART Certification for pleasure boat operation (online)
Certification Safety in Sport – FREE (online)

Dragon Boat Canada Instructor Level

The Dragon Boat Canada Instructor Level is a training that will enable you to lead introductory groups and steer a boat (steering part). Whether it’s corporate events, school groups, fundraising events, or 4-session beginner programs, this training will teach you the basics of coaching while emphasizing water safety. The Instructor Level provides you both a coaching certification and a Dragon Boat Canada helmsperson accreditation.

Training schedule:

Training Schedule

Theoretical part on introductory Dragon Boat coaching. Learning safety rules, practical scenarios.
Practical part* (steersman clinic): You will learn how to steer a dragon boat! The steersman clinic mainly takes place on the water, including two short sessions on land for the theoretical portion. We ensure that the whole experience is interactive and enjoyable with a bit of a challenge! * If you already have your steersman accreditation, you do not need to attend the second day of training (learning to steer). Contact us to arrange this.

Training Details:

When? May 2 and 3, 2026, from 9am to 4pm.
Where: Athletes’ Quarter, Olympic Basin.
Registration fee: $250 + tax
Instructors: P-O Girard and Dan Levine
For whom? People aged 16 and over who want to learn how to coach a beginner group and how to steer a dragon boat.
Notes: The training is offered in French. The Instructor level grants both a coaching certification and a steersman accreditation from Dragon Boat Canada. Possibility to attend the first day virtually (to be confirmed).

To obtain your accreditation, you must provide the following three proof of certifications: (you may complete them before or after this training):

A first aid and CPR certificate (if your CPR is not up to date, training is available on April 18 at the basin)
BOATSMART certification for pleasure craft operator (online)
Certification Safety in Sport – FREE (online)

Dragon Boat Steersperson Accreditation Canada

Our steersperson clinic is the perfect opportunity for you to learn how to steer a dragon boat. It is designed for people with or without experience!

If your goal is to lead beginner groups, manage a community team, or organize corporate or school events, the instructor training is better suited to meet your needs!

Training outline:

Training outline

Training details:

When? May 3, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Where: Athletes’ Village, Olympic Basin.
Registration fee: $155+tax
Trainers: Dan Levine, Sylvain Laberge, and Pierre-Olivier Girard
Who? Individuals 16 years and older who want to learn how to steer a dragon boat.
Notes: The training is offered in French and English. The steersperson accreditation is not a dragon boat coaching course. It focuses solely on learning the techniques to steer a dragon boat.

To obtain your accreditation, you must provide all three proofs of the following certifications: (you can complete them before or after this training):

A First Aid and CPR certificate (if your CPR is not up to date, training is available on April 18 at the pool)
BOATSMART Certification for pleasure craft operator (online)
Certification Safety in Sport – FREE (online)

Emergency Responder Level C Training

Do you want to obtain or renew your Emergency Responder Level C certification? (minimum requirement for Helmsman Certification or Level 1 Coaching)

Training process

Training details:

When? info to come
Where: Athletes’ Village, Olympic Pool.
Registration fee: $100 + tax
Trainers: info to come
For whom? This training is open to everyone.
Note: The training is delivered in French.

Need info?

Fill out the form below and our team will contact you promptly.

Olympic Basin, Jean Flag Park

Practical information – Athletes’ district

Our activities take place at Jean-Drapeau Park Athletes’ Quarter, an exceptional site dedicated to water sports.

Paid parking near
Access by metro : station Jean-Drapeau, about 10 minutes walk (see route)
Bixi station on site
Full changing rooms available

Training takes place at Olympic Basin, a safe body of water built for 1976 Montreal Olympics, now recognized as an international caliber installation.