We are pleased to welcome Danielle Raines to the USHPDB programming staff. A national-level coach and accomplished athlete, Danielle brings a strong blend of high-performance coaching experience, international competition, and multi-discipline paddling expertise to the program, along with a unique perspective shaped by her professional background as an educator and certified yoga instructor. This combination allows her to approach athlete development with a focus on communication, body awareness, movement efficiency, and sustainable performance.

Coaching Philosophy: I believe that high performance is built through efficient, movement-aware training that develops both physical execution and mental focus. By emphasizing body awareness, technical precision, and intentional practice, I help athletes move with purpose, reduce injury risk, and perform consistently under race pressure.

Danielle served as an Assistant Coach with Heart and Soul Dragon Boat Club (2019–2021), contributing to national-level club-crew success, including a silver-medal finish in Senior C Women Small Boat at CCNC 2025 and earning a berth to CCWC 2026 in Hualien, Taiwan.

At the national-team level, she served as a Team USA Assistant Coach at the 2025 World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany, supporting Senior A Women (standard and small boat), Senior B Women (standard and small boat), and Senior C Women Small Boat crews.

Since 2023, Danielle  has been Co-Head Coach of the Florida Tarpons Dragon Boat Team, guiding athlete development and competitive performance across regional and international events.

As an athlete, Danielle is a Team USA paddler who competed at the 2023 World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, earning four silver medals in Senior A Women Standard and multiple medals in Senior A Mixed Standard, including two golds. She was also named to the 2021 Team USA roster for Hong Kong prior to the event’s cancellation due to COVID.

At the club-crew level, she has competed extensively with the Florida Tarpons, earning multiple gold medals in Senior A Women Small Boat at the 2023 Pan American Club Crew Championships and competing in Senior A Mixed Small Boat at CCNC 2025 in Puerto Rico.

In addition to dragon boat racing, Danielle has been an active OC6 paddler and steerer with Lokahi Cocoa Beach (2018–present). Her outrigger experience includes podium finishes at the Chattajack 32-mile race (3rd place, Women’s Division, 2024) and competition at major events such as the Clearwater Classic, NISH Miami, Treasure Coast Paddle Battle, and Florida State Outrigger Regatta, with medals across women’s and mixed divisions in both spec and unlimited boats.

As part of the HPDB programming staff, Danielle brings a comprehensive technical skill set, cross-discipline racing experience, and an educator’s approach to coaching—supporting athletes in developing physical efficiency, mental focus, and the discipline required for sustained high-performance competition.