Team USA
Team USA
As a member of the IDBF, the USDBF fields Team USA squads (aka the US national team) to compete at the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships (WDBRC) and IDBF World Cup. The US is one of the most competitive and highest-performing nations at WDBRCs, with Team USA having competed and medalled at every WDBRC in history, going back to the very first championship in 1995. Team USA has also won the coveted IDBF Nations Cup twice.
At the WDBRC, Team USA generally races in almost all available divisions (Junior A/18U, Junior B/16U, 24U, Premier, Senior A/B/C, Paradragons), competition classes (open, women, mixed), and boat sizes (standard, small). Note that the IDBF does not typically run a Junior C/14U division at WDBRCs.
At the World Cup, only Team USA Premier is invited to race.
Team USA is administered by:
- USDBF First Vice President (aka VP1): Chris Marquart
- The VP1 is a member of the High Performance Committee, which convenes every other year to select Team USA coaches, and is the main connection between Team USA and the USDBF Board of Directors. The VP1 also is in charge of all Team USA-related items on the USDBF and IDBF level, representing the US at IDBF events and serving as the USDBF's main contact point for all WDBRC or World Cup items. For any questions regarding Team USA, contact the VP1 at vp1@USDBF.org.
- Team USA Manager: Enid Dunmire-Swinson
- The Team Manager handles all Team USA needs both in preparation for and on the ground at WDBRC, doing everything from dealing with candidate registration and meeting with coaches to handing out ID badges on-site and coordinating crew rosters. The TM's role is integral to the success of Team USA and requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and communication.
Interested in Team USA?If you are interested in trying out for Team USA or attending a Team USA camp, you must be a USDBF member in good standing. All current 2024 USDBF membership are valid thru December 31, 2024. Memberships renewals for 2025 began on January 1, 2025. When you click on the Apply button in the Event Detail box, you will see the Team USA divisions/competition classes for which you are eligible based on age and specified racing gender. You may apply for more than one division through this portal. Please be aware that your submitted information will be available to all Team USA coaches. You may also be asked to provide contact information for your regular club coach. Visit the specific Team USA pages below to learn more:
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Interested in becoming a Team USA coach?
Click here for more information and to apply
To produce the most competitive and nationally representative Team USA in all divisions and competition classes, the USDBF Board of Directors would like to further strengthen the emphasis on national selection with Team USA coaches who will work in a collegial manner with one another, athletes, the USDBF Board of Directors, and IDBF representatives to ensure successful representation of the US at WDBRC.
The selection of these coaches is a function of the USDBF High Performance Committee (HPC) whose mission is to create a Team USA whose staff and members represent the most highly skilled coaches and respective crews reflective of the diversity of the USDBF's members and its regions.
Interested in becoming a Team USA Paradragons Advocate?
Click here for more information and to apply
Team USA History
Being selected for Team USA and representing the US is seen by many as a great honor and privilege. The below videos show an exciting glimpse into the Team USA experience of a longtime Team USA paddler. For information about Team USA's performance at WDBRCs, visit our World Championships page.
13th WDRBC - 2017 - Kunming, China
12th WDBRC - 2015 - Welland, Canada
Team USA Premier at the 4th IDBF World Cup in Miluo, China in 2024.