The Maple Dragons are a Dragon Boat team of queer folk, two spirited people and allies from London, Ontario, Canada. Our goal is to paddle in Valencia, Spain at the Gay Games in June 2026.

The Maple Dragons came together in the spring of 2025 to give dragon boating a try, and created a unique and supportive community through paddling. Our team consists of athletes ranging in age from 21-65, and a variety of athletic and personal backgrounds. In a world that can feel pretty divided right now, we are driven by a common goal to embody pride, strength, and unity. We know that representation matters, and are excited to represent our communities on an international stage!

Here's the challenge: Valencia is over 6,500 km away, and getting our team there takes a lot of resources - travel, accommodation, equipment, transport, and registration fees all add up quickly. We're reaching out to our friends, family, and community to help us make this incredible journey possible. Every dollar gets us one paddle stroke closer to the starting line in Spain! Help us raise $1 for each kilometre to make our dream a reality!