Welcome to the home of the GWN Premier Women!
Who are we?
We are a group of female athletes and dedicated paddlers who have been training together and welcoming new members since 2004.
We are a hard working group of athletes. Our members come with diverse backgrounds in profession and culture. Each one of us carries on a responsibility to improve the organization as a whole, whether they are committee members putting their time and effort to run the club or crew members actively searching for corporate sponsorships and assisting in fundraising activities.
What do we do?
Our love for dragon boat racing unites us in being committed to achieve a common goal for the team – to race competitively and be victorious in every race we participate in.
What is dragon boat?
Like no other paddle sport...
Dragon boat racing is a water sport that appeals to a broad range of people as an enjoyable outdoor activity. There is no other paddle sport in which a crew of 22 is rewarded through their collective effort and exertion, rather than individual performance.
This harmony of purpose can only be achieved through countless hours of dedicated training, learning to be a complete crew and developing the team spirit and understanding necessary to work together, as one unit.
With great appeal, locally and abroad...
Within the Greater Toronto Area, there are approximately 6,000 people actively participating in dragon boat, coming from a multitude of backgrounds and professions. Events are held in over 40 countries around the world and is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports by participation.
A sport, a hobby and a passion for us all
We promote and encourage participation of women in the sport of dragon boat racing at the competitive and recreational level.
Our objectives:
- To develop a crew to compete at the highest level of women’s club crew racing;
- To expose individuals to the sport of dragon boat racing and to develop competitive paddlers;
- To promote a positive and enjoyable experience for club members that combines personal fitness, recreation and social events within a team-based sport;
- To act as ambassadors of the sport of dragon boat at various sporting events and festivals, in Canada and around the world;
- To participate in the development of women’s dragon boat racing in Canada.
A world-class coach, for a world-class team
An accomplished athlete...
Andrew Fox has been actively involved in dragon boat racing since 1991, first competing internationally in Hong Kong in 1999, winning silver for Canada. Since then, he has competed and medalled internationally in Poland at the 2003 Nations Cup, in Germany at the 2005 World Championships, in Toronto at the 2006 Club Crew World Championships (CCWCs) and in Malaysia at the 2008 CCWC. In total, he has won twenty-one international medals, thirteen of which are gold.
A world-class coach...
Andrew has been coaching dragon boat teams of every level for nearly a decade. He began coaching our team in 2005 and contributed to their participation in two CCWCs, which included the team earning a bronze medal at the 2006 CCWCs.