While your competitors are still waiting for the water to warm up, you could be giving your dragon boat season a jump-start with a paddling vacation in Orlando, Florida. Spring camp is suitable for all ages and levels, perfect for those looking for a break from the ordinary (or cold) while enjoying the sport of dragon boat with like-minded people.
GWN Dragon Boat will be returning to Westgate Lakes Resort in Orlando, on April 4-12, 2025! Coaching will be provided by internationally experienced coaches and paddlers who will share their technique, tips and training regimes.
The camp is offered as a full-week experience and a 3-day accelerated program. For paddlers registered for the full-week camp will enjoy mini regatta on Saturday April 12th.
Register as a team, small group or an individual. If you have a group of 10 or more, please contact Carolyn at carolyn@gwnevents.com before registering for a team discount.
Camp will be held at the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa located at:
9500 Turkey Lake Road
Orlando, FL
32819
Classic Full Week Experience Fees*:
| Before Nov 30 2024 | $425 USD |
| Dec 1 2024 to Jan 31 2025 | $455 USD |
| After Feb 1 2025 | $495 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees)
Check-in/check-out dates: Sunday April 6th 2025 to Sunday April 13th 2025.
Camp features include:
• Welcome reception on the evening of Sunday April 6th
• Daily schedule
• Twice daily dragon boat training sessions Monday to Friday; one free afternoon mid-week
• Daily conditioning sessions
• Daily video analysis
• Individual help
• Additional daily group sessions
• Camp dri-fit top
• Progressive time trials (4x)
• Camp-sponsored socials
Supplementary Options (available for Classic & 9-Day Camp only):
Steering Clinic, $85 USD (plus applicable taxes and fees).
Please note, in order for GWN to offer the clinic, we require a minimum of 8 peopled to sign up.
3-Day Accelerated Experience Fees*:
| Before Nov 30 2024 | $295 USD |
| Dec 1 2024 to Jan 31 2025 | $320 USD |
| After Feb 1 2025 | $350 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees)
Check-in / check-out dates: Thursday April 3rd 2025 to Sunday April 6th 2025.
Camp features include:
• Welcome reception on evening of Thursday April 3rd
• Daily schedule
• Daily dragon boat training sessions – twice a day Friday and Saturday; morning session Sunday only
• Daily conditioning sessions
• Daily video analysis
• Individual help
• Additional daily group sessions
• Camp dri-fit top
• Progressive time trials (2x)
• Camp-sponsored socials
9-Day Full Camp Experience (Classic + Accelerated)Fees*:
| Before Nov 30 2024 | $625 USD |
| Dec 1 2024 to Jan 31 2025 | $655 USD |
| After Feb 1 2025 | $685 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees)
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Coach Albert McDonald Albert is the President of the Dartmouth Dragon Boat Association, a non profit society which brought dragon boat programs and racing to Lake Banook in Dartmouth. He is a long time sprint canoe athlete and dragon boat racer. He has won 30 gold medals at the Dragon Boat World Championships from 1996 to 2024, competing in ten world championships. He has over 40 years of coaching experience, coaching basketball, sprint canoe and dragon boat. He coached the Canadian National Senior A dragon boat team to 8 gold medals at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011. Last summer, at the Club Crew Worlds in Italy, he competed and coached in the Senior B division, winning nine medals (4 gold) in the Open and Mixed Divisions. Albert was inducted into the Canadian Dragon Boat Hall of Fame in 2023. Albert has over 20 years of experience coaching at various dragon boat camps and clinics and is looking forward to working with the athletes at this year’s GWN Florida Training Camp. |
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Coach Kitt Noythanongsay Since 2012, Kitt has been the Head Coach of Suncoast Asian Cultural Association, “SACA”, a non-profit 501c3 organization and Co-Head Coach for Tampa River Dragon Boat since 2020, both based in Tampa, Florida. His coaching style is based on confidence building in conjunction with skill building. Kitt counts his success in several individuals becoming a Coach or Steers, who express a comfort level and confidence even in the most challenging conditions. Kitt has competed and coached at all levels of dragon boat from recreational to competitive. As a paddler, Kitt has competed domestically, throughout the US, and internationally at multiple PACCC, CCNC, CCWC and IDBF World events and has a beautiful display of medals to show off. As a coach, he has been asked to “guest coach” for several teams, including international teams, and has been approached by paddlers at all levels for one-on-one instruction in dragon boat and outrigger (OC1 and OC2) paddling. He was part of the coaching staff for the USDBF Team USA Senior A OPEN, Mixed, Women and Senior B Women for the 2021 and 2023 cycles. For the 2025 cycle, he is the Head coach for USDBF Team USA Senior A OPEN & Mixed. Kitt truly enjoys coaching paddlers new to the sport and paddlers he has just met through their first or most important dragon boat race. He uses his previous experience as a tennis and beach volleyball coach to creatively elevate understanding of technique and concepts for dragon boat paddlers. He paddles “Grace” aka surfski for fun! |
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Coach Angela Long Angela is the head paddling coach at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, FL. Her coaching career began in 2013 when she founded Survivors in Sync “SIS” breast cancer team. SIS became strong competitors in the breast cancer division and finished among the top teams at the 2018 IBCPC Festival in Florence Italy, and 2023 IBCPC Festival in New Zealand. SIS won the National Club Crew Championship and earned a berth to the 2020 Club Crew World Championship (CCWC) in Aix Les Bans, France, which was cancelled due to Covid. In 2021, NBP invited Angela to coach the entire NBP Paddling program, including its growing non-BCS division. Since then, the team (including SIS) has grown exponentially and competes in Premier, Mixed, Women, Veterans and All Cancer Paddler divisions. At the 2021 Club Crew National Championships, NBP Paddling won two National Championships and earned four berths to compete in the 2022 Club Crew World Championship in Sarasota, Florida. There, NBP Paddling won 6 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. In 2023 NBP Paddling won five National Championship titles in the BCP, ACP, Sr B Mixed, Sr B Women, and Sr C Mixed divisions and earned 5 berths to compete in the 2024 CCWC in Ravenna Italy. There, the club won 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. Angela was selected as a steer for the 2021 Team USA Sr B team in Hong Kong and steered for the 2023 Team USA Sr A & B women’s boats in Thailand. As a coach, she has studied under a long list of outstanding coaches. Long earned her Level 2 Competitive Dragon Boat Coaching Certification for both United States Dragon Boat Federation and for Dragon Boat Canada. Angela is certified in Applied Positive Psychology and is passionate about helping paddlers find health, happiness,and personal fulfillment through the sport of dragon boating. |
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Fitness Coach Chris Longo Chris has been involved in the fitness industry professionally since 2001. He obtained his personal trainer specialist designation early in his career, and quickly became eager to further his knowledge base. Over a decade has passed and Chris has developed his working knowledge through several certifications and courses. He holds current certificates as a Power Athlete Block One coach, Can Fit Pro Personal Trainer Specialist, and Precision Nutrition Essentials in Sport and Exercise Nutrition Level 1. Chris is driven to improve people’s functional fitness and overall health. In his dedication to fitness and nutrition, Chris credits much of his success with his athletes to the Precision Nutrition and Power Athlete methodologies. Chris loves the outdoors. He enjoys hunting, snowboarding, gardening, and moving heavy things. |
For participants paying by check, payment must be received by no later than the 15th of the month after the early bird rate in order to remain eligible for the early-bird offer.
Cancellation/refund requests must be received in writing prior to February 15th 2025, upon which your registration fee is 50% refundable. No refunds available after this date.
Groups of 10 or more paddlers will receive $25 off the registration fee. Please contact Carolyn at 416.962.8899 / 1.855.496.2628 (toll-free) or carolyn@gwnevents.com for more information regarding camp group rates.
Please note: Discounts cannot be applied to existing registrations and refunds will not be given to paddlers who may have already registered prior to the creation of the discount code.
Participants are advised to obtain their own accident/medical insurance coverage for their trip. Please note: it is assumed that camp participants are physically fit and accept responsibility for the risks associated with physical exercise. Each participant should have a medical check-up in the weeks leading up to the camp and inform their doctor that they will be participating in this training camp. Registrants will receive a suggested 6-week program to prepare for the camp, to be used at their own risk.
Participants will also be required to sign an online waiver, which will be part of the online registration process.
For local paddlers driving in each day for camp, upon entry to the resort, you will be responsible to pay the Resort Fee of $25.99/day plus applicable taxes.
9500 Turkey Lake Road
Orlando, FL, 32819
This full-service, lakefront resort and spa features a wide range of on-site amenities, seven pools and hot tubs, on-site restaurants, and is a prime location near world-famous theme parks for those who wish to take their free afternoon to explore. Studio equipped with kitchenette, 1-bedroom villas with a full kitchen, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom suites comes with a full kitchen and laundry.
Please note that registration with GWN Dragon Boat for the camp does not guarantee a reservation at a hotel. Campers are strongly advised to make arrangements as soon as possible after registering for camp.
Group Code: 64-404
Room block deadline: March 1st, 2025 (Extended!)
Reservations: Please click here to book online. All guest reservations require a minimum of two (2) night stay, deposit of one (1) night’s room & tax to be charged on a major credit card. Please note: Westgate Lakes Resort Staff will do their very best to book paddlers near/around building 2400, however, available suites will be dependent on availability.
Local Paddlers
For local paddlers driving in each day for camp, upon entry to the resort, you will be responsible to pay the Resort Fee of $25.99/day plus applicable taxes.
Camp Location @ Westgate
Boats, docks and camp functions will be located by building 2400.
Campers Reserving 1-Bedroom Deluxe and Standard Units
Please note, suites are located at buildings 60, 80, 90, 100, 300 and 800. Campers may walk over to building 2400, or, shuttle services are available throughout the day based on the resort schedule.
| Room Type | GWN Rate* |
| Studio Villa (Up to 4 guests) 1 King Bed 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa Kitchenette, Balcony | $119.00 |
| 1-Bedroom Deluxe Villa (Up to 4 guests) 1 King Bed 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa Fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, dishes/pots/pans/eating utensils, living room, laundry | $145.00 |
| 2-Bedroom Deluxe, (Up to 8 guests) 1 King Bed 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa 2 Double Beds Fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, dishes/pots/pans/eating utensils, living room, master bathroom, dining area | $225.00 |
| 3-Bedroom Suite (Up to 12 guests) 2 King Beds 2 Queen Sleeper Sofas 2 Double Beds Fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, dishes/pots/pans/eating utensils, living room, master bathroom, dining area, 2 balconies, 2 bathrooms | $355.00 |
| 4-Bedroom Suite (Up to 16 guests) 3 King Beds 3 Queen Sleeper Sofas 2 Double Beds Fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, dishes/pots/pans/eating utensils, living room, master bathroom, dining area, 2 balconies or patios, 2 bathrooms | $525.00 |
Nightly Resort Fee
A nightly resort fee of $25.99, plus applicable tax is applied to each suite. Travel dates require a two (2) night minimum length of stay. Rates do not include applicable taxes.
Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Each reservation for which the required deposit has been received is guaranteed for late arrival from the up until 11:59PM of the scheduled Check-In date. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. A late-departure charge may apply for any room(s) occupied after the scheduled check-out time.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Final payment for all Reservations is due upon check-in. A security deposit of two-hundred dollars ($200) via credit card is required at check-in for each Reservation to cover any incidentals. This amount is fully refundable upon check-out if no incidentals are charged and there is no room damage. Cancellations for individual reservations must be made seventy-two (72) hours prior to the first check-in date in order to avoid payment of a penalty in an amount equal to the cost of one (1) night’s room and applicable taxes. Deposits are refundable if you cancel prior to the seventy-two (72) hour cancellation window. All rates in US dollars.
Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for training camp participants.
Hertz Rent-a-Car
To book your vehicle, please click here or call 1-800-654-2240 and quote our CV#052D0004. At the time of reservation, meeting rates will be automatically compared to other Hertz rates and the best rate will apply.
A group discount has been created with United. Participants can save on airfares to and from Orlando.
United Airlines
Participants can save 5% – 10% airfares if travelling within US 50 States and between US 50 States and Canada. To book your travel, visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and use meeting code ZQGB615409.
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