EP04: “We Are a Sport” — The Fight to Define Dragon Boating’s Future with Claudio Schermi
“We are a sport.” It’s a simple statement but it sits at the centre of one of the biggest conversations in dragon boating today.
“We are a sport.”
It’s a simple statement but it sits at the centre of one of the biggest conversations in dragon boating today.
In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Claudio Schermi, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the sport.
Broadcast live from Macau, Claudio shares exclusive insight into the global growth of dragon boating, the recent milestone of establishing the IDBF headquarters in Hong Kong, and what it will take for the sport to reach the next level.
In this episode:
- The global expansion of dragon boating across 80+ member federations
- Why dragon boating must be recognised as its own sport, not a discipline
- The role of club crews and why they are the foundation of the sport
- The pathway toward Olympic recognition and global legitimacy
- The economic and cultural impact of major dragon boat events
Plus:
👉 Hando’s Phantom Call returns with a fast-paced 100m race simulation
👉 60 Seconds with Dougie featuring rapid-fire insights from the paddling community
👉 Hot Take of the Week: Technique vs power; what actually wins races?
This episode goes beyond racing; it’s about identity, growth, and where dragon boating is heading on the global stage.
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