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 at Westgate Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida!
This camp is designed for all ages and levels – whether you’re a first-time paddler or a seasoned racer, it’s the perfect way to sharpen your skills, escape the cold, and connect with like-minded dragon boaters.
Coaching will be provided by internationally experienced coaches and paddlers, sharing techniques, training regimes, and insider tips to elevate your paddling.
Two program options:
Register as a team, small group or an individual. Groups of 10+ qualify for a team discount – contact Carolyn at carolyn@gwnevents.com before registering.
Don’t miss this chance to combine a get-away with top-level training!
Camp will be held at the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa located at:
9500 Turkey Lake Road
Orlando, FL
32819
Classic Full Week Experience Fees*:
Sunday April 12 – Saturday April 18 2026
| Before Nov 30 2025 | $445 USD |
| Dec 1 2025 to Jan 31 2026 | $470 USD |
| After Feb 1 2026 | $495 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees.
Check-in/check-out dates: Sunday April 12th 2026 to Sunday April 19th 2026.
Camp features include:
Supplementary Options (available for Classic & 9-Day Camp only):
3-Day Accelerated Experience Fees*:
Friday April 10 – Sunday April 12 2026
| Before Nov 30 2025 | $320 USD |
| Dec 1 2025 to Jan 31 2026 | $345 USD |
| After Feb 1 2026 | $370 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees.
Check-in / check-out dates: Thursday April 9th 2026 to Sunday April 12th 2026.
Camp features include:
9-Day Full Camp Experience (Classic + Accelerated) Fees*
Friday April 10 to Saturday April 18 2026
| Before Nov 30 2025 | $640 USD |
| Dec 1 2024 to Jan 31 2026 | $660 USD |
| After Feb 1 2026 | $695 USD |
*plus applicable taxes and fees.
Boats, docks and camp functions will be located by building 2400.
Campers Reserving 1-Bedroom Deluxe and Standard Units
Please note, studio 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.
Please see “Accommodations” Section for suites, rates, and more.
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.
2026 Coaching Staff
 | 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. |
 | 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! |
 | 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. |
 | Coach Brian Spence Brian has been coaching and steering dragon boat teams in the Toronto area since 2009. Currently the coach of the Chinook Mojos, a competitive team in the Toronto paddling community, he has also coached other competitive teams and a number of community and high school crews across the GTA. Earlier in his career, he coached the Canadian Senior C National Team to seven gold medals at the 2015 World Championships in Welland, Ontario.As a steersperson, Brian has worked with clubs across Canada and the United States, including the Pickering Dragon Boat Club, Great Lake Paddlers, CSDC and Evolution DB Club. Most recently he competed internationally with Team Canada as a steersperson with the Canadian Senior C National Team at the 2025 World Championships in Brandenburg Germany, medaling in every race, including several gold medals. Over the years, Brian’s crews have earned multiple gold medals at National Championships and World Club Crew Championships.When he’s not on the water, Brian can usually be found on the ice during hockey season. As spring approaches, he’s always happy to trade the rink for the lake—paddling his OC and SUP, exploring the backcountry by canoe, and helping paddlers get faster, stronger, and more confident on the water. |
 | 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 2026, 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, 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.
Room block deadline: Monday February 9th 2026 – extended to Sunday March 22nd 2026.
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.
Reservation Modification/Cancellation Info for Guests:
Modifications and Cancellations can be made through the resort’s Modify/Cancel Reservation page. Should a guest need to cancel their reservation, or if they would like to change their dates of stay (or room type), they must do so through this link. This page is also available to find on the group’s Booking Link using the “My Bookings” page.
You will need to provide your email address used during booking and your Online Confirmation “SE” number.
Boats, docks and camp functions will be located by building 2400.
Campers Reserving 1-Bedroom Deluxe and Standard Units
Please note, studio 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.
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.
| Room Type | GWN Rate* |
| Studio (Up to 4 guests) 1 King Bed 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa Kitchenette, Balcony | $119.00 |
| 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 | $239.00 |
| 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 ZRVY714702.
Sign up for our newsletter for the latest
GWN and MLDB updates!
Sign up for our newsletter for the latest
GWN and MLDB updates!
Sign up for our newsletter for the latest
GWN and MLDB updates!
