NJDBC Camp Week

NJDBC Preseason DB Fundamentals and Skills Camp

April 13 - April 17, 2026

Join US for our Preseason Camp week at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida.

Offers new and experienced paddlers an opportunity to get a jump start on the 2026 season in sunny Florida.  

ABOUT NJDBC CAMP WEEK -

• 2026 represents our 5th annual camp week. 

• New for 2026 will be an open invite to ERDBA members to our camp.

  • • • NJDBC Preseason Fundamentals & Skills Camp. This year we are opening up our NJDBC to all Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association members!  NJDBC & guest coaches will emphasize fundamentals, technique and improving overall skills. Ideal for those looking to strengthen their technical foundation. This is NOT a Team USA camp. This is club-level pre-season training camp.  Drummers and Steerers welcome.

• This will be one of 3 separate dragon boat camps run at these same dates and at the same facility, but at different times of the day. This coordinated setup allows athletes of all levels to train in a shared environment. The two other camps are:

  • • • Coach Ellen's US Dragon Boat High Performance Camp. This camp will have campers from across the U.S. who want to train at a national level. The focus will be on performance, and stroke efficiency, helping athletes elevate their technical readiness for the 2027 National Team tryouts.  This is NOT a Team USA camp as USDBF has not yet selected the head coaches for 2027.  Drummers and Steerers (with race experience) welcome.

• • • • Angela Long's (BCP TEAM USA HEAD COACH for 2025), camp week is focused on Breast Cancer Paddlers' "Next Level Camp Week".   Registration info ==> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11JMf5RH-IZZbBty3-NAEFEAuzEmZAN-IiAfuVP5c2O4/edit?usp=sharing

GENERAL INFO -

• Instructors:  Coaches: Ellen, Louise, Mary, Tara

• SIGNUP and FEE:

  • • SIGNUP FORM HERE  - just add your name to the bottom of the list on the appropriate tab.

    • PAYMENT INFO

      • • Pay venmo: @njdragonboat

        • WEEKDAY = $300 per camper ($250 for NJDBC members). 

        • Daily rate = $65/day ($55 for NJDBC members)

• CAMP INFO

  • • ADDRESS:

      • • Nathan Benderson Park (5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, Fl 34235)

        • meet at the docks to the far left parking lot (not near the Finish line tower)

    • SCHEDULE

      • • 2 - 75 minute paddling sessions each day @ 8AM and 11AM

        • Video Review @ 1:30PM on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

    • WHAT TO BRING

      • • Lunch and chair/towel for the break between the two daily sessions. Popcorn for the video review.

        • PFD, paddle and seat cushion

        • lots of water, sun screen

        • Loaner paddles and pfds available

    • WHAT TO EXPECT

      • • Lots of individual coaching in this small intimate camp.

ABOUT THE SITE 

• • • Since the