A Dragonboat racing team of the blind and visually impaired in the Metro Washington DC Area
Feel the rhythm. Harness the grit. Move as one. The Out of Sight Dragons (OSD) are a Para-Dragon racing team based in the Washington, D.C. area —fueled by teamwork, grit, and a shared belief that barriers are meant to be broken. What started with a handful of blind and visually impaired paddlers
has grown into a dynamic, competitive crew united by
community, strength, and the drive to move as one.
Join us on the water and experience the thrill, the rhythm, and
the power of dragon boating.
Support Our Team
Your contribution helps keep Para-Dragon racing accessible to everyone. Donations directly support race registration and seat fees, team travel and lodging, and financial assistance for paddlers who need support to participate fully in the sport. Every dollar strengthens our crew and ensures that cost is never a barrier to joining the OSD family.
Donations can be sent to outofsightdragonsdc@gmail.com via Zelle or PayPal.
Who We Are
Out of Sight Dragons, part of the DC Dragon Boat Club, is a competitive, disability-led dragon boat team built on commitment, trust, and shared purpose. We are athletes who train hard, race to win, and hold ourselves to high standards—on the water and as a team. Our strength comes not only from physical power, but from the relationships we build, the accountability we share, and the collective determination that drives us forward.
We believe disability is not a limitation to be managed, but a source of leadership,
insight, and resilience. Our team is shaped by lived experience and guided by the
principle that access, interdependence, and excellence go hand in hand. We create an environment where athletes support one another, challenge one another, and grow together paddling as individuals, racing as one.
At our core, Out of Sight Dragons is about belonging and visibility through sport. We show what’s possible when athletes with disabilities are centered, trusted, and given the space to lead—not by proving ourselves to others, but by pushing our own limits and building something powerful together.
Are you interested in meeting our team? Check out the Out of Sight Dragons YouTube channel to hear about what fuels our members!
OSD IN THE MEDIA
Read this 2023 press release featuring 2 OSD members who joined the
inaugural Team USA Paradragons in the World Championships in Thailand.
Discover the Sport of Dragon Boat
A dragon boat is a long, human-powered watercraft—traditionally made of wood or fiberglass—adorned with a dragon’s head at the front and a tail at the back. Crews paddle in rhythm to the beat of a drum, sitting in pairs along the left and right sides of the boat, working in perfect unison to drive it forward through strength, timing, and teamwork.
Colorful, fast, and full of spirit, dragon boat racing is a thrilling sport that celebrates unity, rhythm, and precision. From May through October, the Out of Sight Dragons compete in festivals and regattas across the DC area and beyond.
Our Mission
Out of Sight Dragons is a dragon boat team led by disabled athletes that trains,
competes, and races at the highest level. We build community, belonging, and collective strength on and off the water, fostering a space where disabled and non-disabled athletes thrive together.
Team Goals
- To advocate the the inclusion of people with disabilities, particularly blind and visually-impaired athletes
- Creating camaraderie by working together to win a common goal
- Building trust and self-esteem essential to a healthy and happy social life
- Encouraging and offering ways to give back to the community
- Promoting full-body health through physical, mental, and emotional workout exercises and therapy
International Para-Dragon Competitions
Since our founding, OSD has proudly represented the region at national and
international levels, competing in the Club Crew National Championships (CCNC)
in 2021, 2023, and 2025, and at the Club Crew World Championships (CCWC) in
2022.
Come Paddle with us!
For our practice schedule, contact us at outofsightdragonsdc@gmail.com
