About this club
Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club is a registered non-profit society based at 7710 Lochdale Road on Swan Lake in Vernon, British Columbia. It describes its rowing operation as the largest in the BC Interior and runs rowing alongside an established dragon-boat programme.
Community rowing and paddling at Swan Lake dates to 1997, when GO Rowing & Paddling Association of Canada supplied equipment and ran programmes and events in Vernon. In 2014, GO donated its rowing shells, dragon boats, coach boats, docks and other equipment to Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club. A local report describes VRDBC as a Swan Lake hub since 1997.
The club offers learn-to-row, novice, recreational, competitive and para rowing. Its published fleet includes singles, doubles, quads and eights for youth and adults. Recreational members can train in both sculling and sweep formats after completing Learn to Row or demonstrating previous experience.
Learn to Row is open from age 12 and covers technique, safety, boat handling and crew communication. The youth programme serves ages 12 to 18, with recreational and competitive paths and opportunities to attend local and regional regattas. The para programme uses adaptive equipment, accessible docks and individualised coaching for participants aged 12 and over with physical or cognitive disabilities.
The club hosts Lap the Lake on Swan Lake. Its current event page lists a 3.5 km head race and 500 m sprints, while Rowing BC describes the regatta as an Interior community event suitable for beginners and recreational rowers as well as visiting crews.
At the 2023 Lap the Lake, Vernon rower Jonas Masys partnered Fort Langley Flyers athlete Brayden Davis in the men's junior double scull. Vernon Matters reported that the composite crew set the fastest overall time, a new course record, and received the golden blade award.
Upcoming competitions hosted by Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club
No upcoming competitions listed yet.
