Locals bring home medals at international dragonboat championship

By Lethbridge Herald on August 2, 2025.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ten dragonboat racing athletes from the Dragonboat Association of Southern Alberta (DASA) left Canada for Germany last month, hoping to make waves for Team Canada at the 17th IDBF World Dragonboat Championships at Brandenburg an der Havel. Team Canada returned triumphantly with DASA team members leaving their mark on the dragonboat world stage and bringing home the gold.

“After winning gold the first time I was really proud of the individuals around me, dragon boating is a team sport. None of the things I have achieved have been done alone,” says 18U competitor Sierra Smith. “Our achievements were an effort of everyone trying their best and giving just a little bit more strength for those around them.”

The competition ran from July 16-20, and Team Canada brought home more than 100 medals competing in standard and small boat races (200 meter, 500 meter, 1,000 meter and 2,000 meter) in open, mixed and women’s categories.

The 10 DASA members for Team Canada who brought home over 30 medals were: Madison Kisinger, Kylie Marshall, Sierra Smith, Ella Veilleux, Bobby Zhao in the 18U category; Mia Chalmet (24U); Linda Kloschinsky (Senior C); and Daryle Kalafut, Nicole Schmidt and Dace Sevcuna (Para).

“When I won the gold medal, It’s hard to know in a dragonboat race who actually won because things come down to just a fraction of a second .So it’s such a great feeling to walk off of that dock knowing that you did your best,” says first-time competitor Madison Kisinger. “But seeing one of your coaches hold up one finger to show that you won…that was just an amazing feeling and I cried after that.”

This was 24U competitor Mia Chalmet’s second trip to the championships. Her first dragonboat rodeo was 2023 in Thailand, where she competed in the 18u category.

“Standing with my teammates on the biggest dragon boating stage with a gold medal hanging around my neck…the rush of pride and joy was unmatche,” says Chalmet. 

“Even though this was my second time going to the World Dragon Boating Championships, this one felt more special and precious.  

“The 24U category is much more competitive than 18U, so being selected to be on the team and winning so many gold medals made me feel extremely proud of my teammates and myself,” she says.

The 18U and 24U paddlers live and train locally under DASA’s youth programming and U24 Coulee Cruisers team. DASA’s mission is to provide youth programs to support athletes in preparing for higher levels of competition through intensive training, discipline and promoting determination in a fun environment. 

DASA president Karen Johnson is also coach.

“A coach’s pride is reflected in every victory, every breakthrough, and every moment of perseverance,” says Johnson. “I’m incredibly proud of our paddlers’ success at the World Championships. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly paid off. This achievement is a reflection of everyone’s effort, and I’m honored to have been part of this journey.”

Whether they continue competing or move on to other challenges, these athletes have achieved what many competitors dream of: bringing home the gold after competing on the world stage. And as with most competitive sports, they will carry everything they learned there with them.. 

“I believe that out of all the experiences I gained, nothing beats the memories that I made,” says !8U competitor Bobby Zhao. “The things that felt important at the time such as the medals, jerseys, and photos–pale in comparison to the lessons that I have learned. 

“Overall, I realized that this whole experience helped me better understand what it takes to be a leader that is successful, determined, and disciplined.”