Springfield Dragon Rays was established in 2013 with help from a Rays of Hope grant. The Springfield Dragon Rays dragon boating team is a mix of beginners, recreational, and competitive paddlers who come together in their love for being on the water. Team members are diverse in age, background, and athletic ability.

 

Participation is open to both men and women, and we actively encourage breast cancer survivors and their supporters to join us. The team, which was the first dragon boat team located in Western Massachusetts, is one of many programs of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which operates a recreational facility in the North End of Springfield with the mission to promote river-based sporting activities, to develop river access, and encourage recreation in the Greater Springfield metropolitan area.

 

The Springfield Dragon Rays provides Pioneer Valley area residents with training and participation in the sport of dragon boat racing. Both on the Connecticut River and in the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) boathouse, we train year round with PVRC coaching staff to increase individual personal fitness, endurance, and strength. At the same time, we seek cohesion as a team to support each paddler’s individual needs while training to compete at dragon boat festivals each summer including the Springfield Dragon Boat Festival which the team has hosted since 2012. We welcome all adults to join us and we provide targeted support for Breast Cancer Survivors, as well as financial assistance to lower the barrier to participation for all.