Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
ABOUT US
Welcome to our Team Yearbook
Let's get acquainted. . .
We were formed in 2007, by a group of retired armed services personnel who had the vision of bringing competitive dragon boating racing to The Villages, Florida. Our goal was to give retirees the opportunity to compete locally, regionally, nationally and internationally at the highest level of team competition…
We've exceeded our expectations and continue to grow AND WIN.​​​​
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Since its inception THE WARRIORS have earned a reputation throughout the sport as a team of women and men “who race to win!!
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The athletes on THE WARRIORS range in age from their early 50s to their 80s. But we compete as one team, one mind, one boat. And we win!
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The team has consistently earned trophies and racing medals over the past fifteen seasons in hundreds of regattas, locally, nationally, and internationally.
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THE WARRIORS even launched a team known as Sparta70, to honor those warriors that are still competing at 70+ years old. These Warriors who achieve this honor are known as SPARTAN WARRIORS!
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The team is constantly evolving. We continue to represent the pinnacle of the sport for seniors in Class C.
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The team remains flexible, pliable and fresh. We're always accepting new ideas and members to the team. Go to our Join/Contact Us page if you'd like more information.
WARM-UP
200m SPRINT
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Today nearly half of our team are new members with less than 24 months of paddling experience. And we continue to succeed because we blend the senior paddlers with those new to the sport. We add and we evolve, we stay fresh. . .
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Well that's enough reading for now. The purpose of our 2024 Yearbook is to capture for all time this magical season. Where 60 plus athletes, men and women, train, compete and win as one FAMILY.​
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We are capturing as many pics and video snippets as we can to create a lasting memory of the Warrior Dragon Boat Team and its journey excellence.
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Come along with us and get to see the thrills, spills and joys of this amazing group of athletes
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Lastly, we are called Leathernecks in Honor of the United States Marines. We also honor all branches of the service… Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the brave men & women "First Responders" in LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE & RESCUE who have served and sacrificed to protect us. Many of our Warriors have served in these professions. We honor each of them for they're service to our community and country.​
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SHE STEERS!
WE RACE!
A steerer is responsible for controlling a 40’ dragon boat, weighing 3,200 lbs, with 20 powerful paddlers and a drummer, down a narrow 6’ lane, against 4-5 other boats for 200-450m, fighting wakes, waves, wind, current, noise and nerves, and tolerating only victory.
And the steerer MUST drive their boat… straight as an arrow! In a race our steerer is THE most critical position in the boat of 22 racers.
We all think the paddlers are the key to victory, but if that powerful boat deviates 3’ left or right,over a furious and challenging race course…all is lost.
A steerer must be smart, cunning, strong, balanced, fearless and trusted by their boat.
If that trust is ever broken…then the race is lost.
Our steerers are the rare diamonds on our team.
Never to be squandered or lost.
As a Warrior, we see our collection of steerers as our special treasures.
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The Grandmasters Dragon Boat Club
Founded in 2009, our master club is the largest dragon boating club in the United States.
We're home to 10 Villages-FL-Based Dragon Boat teams. While the Leatherneck Warriors are racing team, some of others are non racing and offer a more social format.
The Grand Masters club, takes responsibility for managing the boats (on-water equipment), the launch sites and the coordination of practice time-slots, for all of the teams.
Additionally, our club offers various training opportunities for developing safety protocols as well as specialized skills development for steering, boat maintenance.
The Warriors are proud to have been one of the original, founding teams of Grandmasters.
The Villages Outdoor Expo 2025
Our recruiting Committee's team spirit, leadership and promotional skills yielded great results. Many thanks to Debbie R, Jan, Laraine, Robin, Paul & Donnie.
Our inviting booth highlighting our team's history of competing, winning and camaraderie attracted scores of "new" Villagers who, we anticipate, will become Warrior paddlers in the coming months.
Our very own Don Lies
