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"Surround yourself with those on the same mission as you."
Anonymous
CSDC
Now recruiting Senior A, B and C athletes for Ravenna, Italy in 2024.
CSDC is committed to being the #1 Senior team in not only Ontario, but in Canada. We are always on the lookout for paddlers who will help us get there. Think you’ve got what it takes? We’d love to meet you! Read on to learn more about our upcoming events and to see how you can become a part of our journey.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Born to Compete
CSDC was originally founded in 2003 after the World Championships in Poznan Poland. It was formed specifically to represent Canada in the Senior Divisions for IDBF World Championships.
Our paddlers have competed in regattas all over the world over the last 19 years.
We have raced in Shanghai, Sydney, Berlin, Macau, Penang, Tampa, Kunming, Szeged, Pattaya, Sarasota, Panama City, and all across Canada.
If you can't tell, we are passionate about the sport. That being said, we strive for a balance between family, work, and dragon boating.
We train year round, and we train hard under the guidance of our coaches - Peter Buday and Brad Bridger
PETER BUDAY
Head Coach/Senior A/Premier
He comes from a family of successful paddlers. His father, Tamas, won Olympic bronze at the Montreal games in 1976 and his brothers, Attila and Tamas Jr., competed for Canada in three Olympics. Peter made the Junior National Team in 1996 and is a multiple National Champion in Sprint Kayaking.
In 1997 he joined the National Dragon Boat Team and was very successful during his 8 years with the team, highlighted by winning 5 World Championship titles.
Peter served as Co Director of the Canadian Senior B National Dragon Boat Program for 2013, 2015 and 2017. Most recently in 2023 he was the Co Director of the Canadian Senior C National Dragon Boat Program.
Peter has been the coach for CSDC since 2013. He successfully guided the team to four Senior A Championships. (2013, 2015 2016, and 2018)
BRAD BRIDGER
Senior B
Brad joins the team in the role of Senior B Coach. Brad brings over 20 years experience of coaching Dragon Boat. Brad provided coach support to both the Junior and Senior A programs for the 2019 WDBRC. Brad also steered for both the Senior A and Junior programs at the WDBRC. Most recently he was the Co Director of the Canadian Senior C National Dragon Boat Program in Pattaya Thailand. We are very lucky to have Brad be part of the CSDC family.
KEVIN STOTT
Senior C
He is an elite paddler and coach that has been a part of Canadian dragonboat scene since its earliest days. After having great success in the 80's competing for the Mississauga Canoe Club in Sprint Canoe at the National and International level. Kevin started to compete in dragon boating in the late 90's and was a member of the legendary Canadian Team that beat Shunde (China) in Hong Kong back in 1997. The experience and history that he bring to CSDC is unmeasurable, and we are happy to have him coaching our Senior C paddlers.
FAQ
The Answers You Need before joining CSDC
WHAT DO I NEED TO JOIN CSDC?
Pretty simple.
You should be at least 39+ years old.
There is the expectation here for a high level of fitness in order to compete for CSDC. If you are not at that level, you will need to have a plan to get yourself there to compete with this team.
Also paddling experience is an asset.
Fill in the new paddler form and we can start from there.
WHAT LEVEL OF COMMITMENT IS EXPECTED?
We require a HIGH Level of commitment to practices, fitness level, and regattas.
That being said, we all live busy lives. Work, family, and training combined is a tough combination for most people.
We understand there is a balance that needs to exist for most paddlers, and everyone has an unique set of circumstances.
Again if you have any questions, please talk to the team manager or coach directly to see if a balance can be found for your situation.
WHERE DO YOU TRAIN? AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We train out of the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club (1391 Lakeshore Blvd W), and our rates are on par with most competitive teams in the area.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN CSDC?
We are one of the top Senior (39+) Programs in not only Canada, but in the world.
We also have premiered our 49+ and 59+ teams at CCWC 2022 and medaled in both divisions. Looking to build on the successes here in 2023 and 2024.
8 Time National Champions
Our paddlers have worked hard to get where they are at. There is a sense of accountability for your own fitness level that meshes with the training that is provided that needs to happen for you to be successful.
We believe that there is balance between family, work, and paddling that must exist. This is the main difference between us and many other clubs that require a more stringent training regiment.
HIGHLIGHTS
Performances of Distinction
20 YEARS OF RACING
Our story is about our paddlers. A 20 year journey that has taken us around the world many times over. From Club Crews to our contribution to the National Team Program, we have been there from the beginning.
This is our small way of thanking them for their contribution to the story of CSDC.
The success of our team has been built on the shoulders of those that came before us. We build not only on our successes but our failures, and strive to just be better. We might not always succeed, but no one can ever question the blood, sweat, and tears that has gone into this team.
So again, thank you to all those that have been part of our story.
WELLAND/HAMILTON/GWN CHALLENGE 2023 SEASON
What a way to finish an incredible year. The little club that grew qualified all their teams that were entered for the Club Crew Championships in Ravenna, Italy. Throw in a couple of successful local regattas, and the season is over. Thank you everyone for the great work. Looking forward to what 2024 will bring!
PANAMA CITY 2023 PAN AMERICAN CLUB CREW CHAMPIONSHIPS
Many thanks to the small, but mighty group of CSDC paddlers that took part. They kept us on the edge of our seats, and we were glued to the live feed.
They competed in both the open and mixed boats with the same roster, AND crushed it.
Thank you to all our fellow competitors and new friends that we made on the way! We look forward to seeing you again for PACCC2024 #Montreal
SARASOTA 2022 CLUB CREW CHAMPIONSHIPS
Couldn’t find a better bunch of people to race with….
If you are 39+ , 49+, and 59+ we are building our teams to compete in the Canadian Championships this summer and for Ravenna, Italy in 2024. We would love to have you be part of our journey. Email us csdcfamily@gmail.com
REMEMBER WHAT DRAGON BOATING IN TORONTO WAS LIKE?
Dragon Boat in 2020-2021 was not what we expected. In fact it didn't happen. CSDC made the best of it.
LIFE BEGINS
Life Begins at the end of your comfort zone.
OUR COACH
Having a great coach plays an important part of our success. We beleive we have one of the best in the business.
CSDC LOOKING TOWARDS 2024...
Remember when things were normal? Just a reminder of why we do this. Denny, Jutta, and Lynn pretty much summed it up during the interview of some of the National Team paddlers that had recently come back from competing in Thailand in 2019. Looking to get back in the dragon boat this spring. We will have multiple crews, practicing head to head this year. Nothing like another boat beside you to get the competitive vibe flowing. We are still recruiting Senior A, B, and C paddlers to compete in the 2024 Nationals in Welland this Summer.
SZEGED 2018 CLUB CREW CHAMPIONSHIPS
A video diary of our journey to Szeged for the 2018 Club Crew Championships.
It was an adventure filled with palinka, gelato, and roundabouts.
“"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take."