“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.

Visit paddlesready.com. Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

“This could be their last adventure.”

For thousands of paddlers around the world, dragon boating is more than a sport, it’s community, recovery, purpose and in some cases, a final chapter lived to the fullest.

In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando are joined by Meri Gibson, President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Global, to share the story behind one of the most powerful movements in paddle sport.

From her personal journey into dragon boating to leading a global community across 40+ countries, Meri reveals how the sport has created opportunities, connection and meaning for tens of thousands of breast cancer paddlers worldwide.

🔥 In this episode:

• How dragon boating became a global movement for breast cancer paddlers 
• The growth from 19 countries to over 40 worldwide 
• Why participation and elite competition both matter 
• The emotional reality behind global festivals and events 
• The story behind “this could be their last adventure” 

Plus:
👉 Meri’s Hot Take on age divisions, inclusivity, and the future of the sport
👉 Why dragon boating might be one of the most powerful community sports in the world

This episode goes beyond racing, it’s about people, resilience, and the impact of paddle sport on lives across the globe.

👉 Visit paddlesready.com
👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community

Why isn’t dragon boating in the Olympics?

It’s one of the fastest-growing paddle sports in the world, with thousands of athletes, global competitions, and a history spanning over 2,000 years — so why hasn’t it made it to the Olympic stage?

In this episode of Paddles Ready, Dougie and Hando break it all down, straight off the back of the Australian National Championships at Kawana.

From race highlights and standout performances to what’s next for the sport globally, this episode connects the local scene to the international stage.

🔥 In this episode:

•  Aussie Nationals recap from the Sunshine Coast 
•  The pathway to Club Crew World Championships in Taiwan 
•  The scale and global growth of dragon boating 
•  Why the sport is pushing for Olympic recognition 
•  The reality behind federations, formats, and Olympic inclusion 

Plus:
 👉 The introduction of Hando’s Phantom Call — a new interactive segment where clubs can get involved and win.

This is more than just a recap, it’s a conversation about where paddle racing is heading next.

👉 Visit paddlesready.com
👉 Subscribe and join the global paddle community

It’s here. Paddles Ready has officially launched. 🌍

In this first episode, Dougie and Hando kick things off by sharing how Paddles Ready went from a simple idea in Berlin to a global platform for paddle sports and dragon boating.

They break down their journey through the sport, what listeners can expect from the show, and why paddle racing needs a stronger international voice. From race commentary to athlete stories, this podcast is built for paddlers, fans, and anyone connected to the sport.

Plus, the first-ever Hot Take of the Week:
👉 Who actually owns dragon boating and does the sport have a problem?

In this episode:

•  The origin story of Paddles Ready and its global vision 
•  Why dragon boating is one of the most inclusive sports in the world 
•  Insights from international events like Berlin’s Nations Cup 
•  The growth of paddle racing across generations and continents 
•  The debate around governance in dragon boating (IDBF vs ICF)

If you’re part of the paddle racing world or want to be, this is where the conversation starts.

👉 Visit paddlesready.comto sign up to our newletter
👉 Subscribe and follow to stay connected to the global paddle community