Meet Lee Curtis , head coach of Bristol Empire Dragon Boat Club.

BDA level 3 coach. 
Head coach of GBu18/u24 2023 - present 
2017 U18 world champion 
14 world and European medals
Gb u18 Athlete 2015 - 2018
Gb Premier Athlete 2019 - 2022
GB Premier crew manager 2024
Competed at:
3x European Championships
2x world Championships 
1 x world club crews
Experience in.
Outrigger, Canoe and Raft
Including an 80 mile race on the Wye

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Lee is the heartbeat of our club and is a real presence in every sense! He is trained to the highest qualified coaching standards and is a former World Champion! We all learn and gain inspiration from Lee and his coaching techniques are inspirational to our beginners, intermediates and advanced paddlers.

Meet Tina Curtis I am the current Chairman of this club. I am 63 a mother to 3 grown ups and 3 cute little grandchildren. Now retired but seem to fill my life with volunteering and working with Lee helping to run the GBu18s and U24 Dragonboat team. 

I started paddling 10 years ago when my son Lee started as it was very close to home and I was getting no exercise at all. Never intended to race, just participate in the training for fitness. 
How wrong was I! As Lee started to want to join in with racing I had to transport him around the Country due to him only being 15 at the time. I very soon had my arm twisted to help out and fill a seat on race day, after that I was hooked. It joined up the dots on what I was doing.... Training to race better.
This year I travelled to Prague to support the GB Premier team with administration at. The European Championships and was very excited to find a pink dragon boat but BA wouldn't let me bring it home.
Until Covid hit us I was training 3 times a week and attended most race events but since then I have found it hard with work, scouting and helth issues to get to training so I support the club from the sidelines where I can.
I recommend this sport to anyone from age 10 and up as a whole body workout with a great team of enthusiastic paddlers who know how to make it fun. The thrill of racing will have you hooked for ever.

Who you are?
I am James and I am the current Chairman of the Bristol Empire Dragons. I am 48 years young and husband to Nicky and father to Ellie. Dogs and horses consume most of our time and income!
How long have you been a member?
I joined in August 2021, so I am one of the newer members of the club.
Why do you paddle?
For me, it is about regular physical exercise which doesn't aggrevate my lower back and to meet new people. The most important element however, is to improve my mental health, which I suffer with. I find time on the river massively improves my mental wellness.
What do you do off the water?
I work in the wine trade so gastronomy is a big part of my life. I love to cook at home (especially on the BBQ) and enjoy a glass or two of my favourite wine. I support both Bristol City and Bristol Bears and watch loads of live sport whenever I can.
Fun Fact...
I am a fully qualified advanced PADI Scuba Diver and never happier than when I am submersed below the ocean and surrounded by aquatic life. I actually proposed to my wife Nicky on a dive off the barrier reef, 16 metres under water!
Why should anyone want to join BED?
Dragon Boat Racing has to be one of the most inclusive of all sports. We have paddlers on the boat from teenagers to pensioners and a pretty equal split of men and women. We always have fun, but you know you have had a workout after a training session or race event. 

Who you are?

I am Abbie and I am the Social Secretary for the club. I am 35 years old and in my professional life I am an Executive Assistant. I love to organise things, a true Capricorn trait. My family refer to me as their Capricorn Queen!

How long have you been a member?

I joined in June 2021, after discovering the club by chance when I came across it on a map, whilst out on a bike ride nearby!

Why do you paddle?

I enjoy the variety that paddling provides and I love the team spirit. Each time we go out on the water is different, we never know what the helm is going to challenge us with! You really have to concentrate to stay in the rhythm of your fellow paddlers and follow instructions from the helm, so it’s a great way to switch off from daily life.

What do you do off the water?Since returning to my hometown of Bristol during lockdown following a 15 year stint in London, I really enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, making up for lost time! I have four nieces ranging from the age of 18 to 1, so when i’m not on the water, I will most likely be found running around after them!

Fun Fact...I helped to deliver my youngest niece, Goldie, who made a very fast, surprise arrival at home on the kitchen floor!

Why should anyone want to join BED?

It’s an inclusive sport, which is good for the mind, body and soul. Not only do you get a challenging workout, you will also meet some wonderful people and make some great friends. We also have a beer fridge, so there are lots of beers to try after a hard paddle!

Who you are?

Hi all, my name is Philip and my family name is NG, which doesn't mean NO! In Chinese it is literally a count of numbers 5. So next time when we see each other, maybe you can give me a Five!

How long have you been a member?

l moved from Hong Kong last November of 2021 but l just couldn't wait to join you guys as l had done my home work before coming. Tell you, having a Dragon Boat team to join is one of the major reasons, or say the main reason compromised with my wife, that l came to Bristol!

Why do you paddle?

l paddle for love because l enjoy a teamwork and loves shedded on me by the team members. you guys.

l also paddle for belief, be it religious or traditions. ln Chinese cults and myth, each Dragon boat is spirited with a diety and will protect its worshippers for health and lucks. l may see the Dragon boat as my big brother who would always watch over me for my deeds and personal belief.

What do you do off the water?

I am approaching 60 in November of this year and, being new to here, l think l will be, though unwillingly, given an early retirement. However, l will never retire in Dragon boating. 

Fun Fact...

l am honoured, or embarrassed, to be named "Phil the Splasher" last Sunday morning by the BED teammates because l am always too generous to offer our teammates free showers if they were just sitting in front of me in the boat!

Why should anyone want to join BED?

As said in the above, BED is an inclusive team for fun and joy in dragonboat, no matter you are just aged 8 or proudly to claim 80, speak flawless English, well, the Bristolian accent, or my poor Hongkongers accent, or, physically strong as our Monster Coach Lee.

Who you are?

Hi I’m Claire, I’m 52, wife to Paul & mum to Phoebe and our fur baby Ted!

I met my husband whilst I was out jogging one night and he offered me a lift home! He could clearly see me struggling lol! I knew then he was a keeper!

How long have you been a member?

I joined the club recently in April 2022 so a real newbie! I saw an advert on Facebook looking for new recruits and as I’ve always loved the water thought I’d give it a try!

Why do you paddle?

I’ve always loved exercise I find it a great way to relieve stress at the end of the day and combined with water it’s the perfect combination for me! I love it!

What do you do off the water?

I am a hairdresser by trade and am now also the very proud owner of an online clothing company, CeCe’s that I started during the pandemic!

I also love walking my gorgeous cockapoo Sir Ted, he’s a real Bobby dazzler and the love of my life, sssh! Don’t tell the hubby!

Fun Fact...

I’ve always had a love of horses and used to be a regular volunteer with the RDA riding for the disabled association who were involved with teaching children and adults from a deaf and blind school how to ride….. It was a joy to see their faces and I loved being involved with it

Why should anyone want to join BED?

I’ve always loved fitness in various forms but particularly love being near the water so when I saw The Bristol Empire dragons looking for new recruits I thought I’d go and see what it was all about! It’s right on my doorstep but I’d never really heard much about it until I saw the advert on Facebook.

I went along to a training session not really knowing much about dragon boating but thought how hard could it be lol?

Everyone there was so welcoming and inclusive, various ages & experience! And a few other newbies like me! I felt at ease immediately and loved the team spirit even though I didn’t know most of these people!

The session was fantastic, lots of banter from the helm as well as super instruction I loved it and knew then that I was well and truly hooked! Each session is varied as are the crew that you paddle with.

There’s lots to learn and my fitness has improved week after week, it’s a full on workout, and ladies it’s great for your bingo wings It’s a great fun water sport, so expect to get a little bit wet lol!

My advice to anyone would be come & give it a go you may catch the bug like I did!

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