Listen to the Steel City Beavers song
Our history
A dragon boat team with the determination of its city and the warmth of its people.
The journey so far
2024
Where it began
Steel City Beavers began with a simple idea: bring people together through dragon boating. From Tinsley Marina, complete beginners and experienced paddlers train, race and become stronger together.
March 2025
New boats
Two new boats join the fleet. Kraken is named after Steve and Claire's love of spiced rum, while Outlander tips its hat to Tammy's favourite TV and book series. Each carries its name proudly along the hull.
March 2025
A new home
We move into our new home at Tinsley Marina, with the new boats on the trailer and ready to go. Lock House Walk, Sheffield: where the Beavers would grow from here on.
April 2025
New kit
The crew steps out in the new Steel City Beavers race shirts, the dragon design and club badge worn with pride on the water.
May 2025
Building rhythm
Sessions on the canal as the crew gets used to our new home on the water. Every outing builds timing, strength and trust between paddlers.
June 2025
New helm
Congratulations to Tim, who earns his British Dragon Boat Racing Association Basic Helm qualification and takes charge of steering the boat. A big moment for the crew.
July 2025
Team GB
A huge milestone for the club: our paddlers are selected to represent Great Britain, pulling on the GBR kit of the national dragon boat racing team. From a brand new club to international paddlers in under a year.
July 2025
Growing crew
More paddlers keep finding their way to the bank. Warm-ups stretch further down the towpath, boats fill up, and the crew keeps welcoming new faces every week.
August 2025
First ladies crew
A milestone on the water: the Beavers take to the canal with our first all-ladies crew. A brilliant sign of how far the club has come, and of the crew still to come.
August 2025
Race day
Race day arrives for the Beavers at Frisby Lakes. The crew lines up together under the blue tent for our first ever event, paddles in hand and nerves turning into excitement. We race hard over the 2k and bring home 2nd place. Watch our first ever race unfold in the video below.
September 2025
Monster of the Loch
World Record Holders
On the shores of Loch Ness, the Beavers take on the Monster of the Loch challenge and come away as record holders, the fastest dragon boat to complete the course. Kraken rests on the pebbled shore while the crew celebrates a very Scottish triumph.
September 2025
Nationals debut
The Beavers head to Holme Pierrepont, the home of British dragon boat racing, for our first ever National Championships. Lining up against the best crews in the country, the Beavers take third in the Mixed Premier 500m minor final and second in the Women Premier 500m minor final. A podium in our debut season.
Mixed Premier 500m minor final
Third place in 19.46s
Women Premier 500m minor final
Second place in 44.05s
October 2025
Halloween paddle
Fancy dress on the water as the Beavers take to the canal at dusk for our Halloween paddle. Outlander gets into the spirit with a ghost at the bow and fairy lights along the hull, the paddles do their best impression of a jester's staff, and the whole crew ends the night behind the pub bar and back on the water.
November 2025
Awards night
Dressing to the nines for our first ever Beavers Awards Night, with our own handmade beaver teddy awards handed out to the crew. From the Influencer Beaver Award to the teddies racing their own little kart, everyone scrubbed up beautifully and the laughter did not stop.
December 2025
Christmas paddle
Santa hats, reindeer antlers and a foggy morning on the water as the Beavers head out for our Christmas paddle. Back on the bank there are mince pies, homemade reindeer cupcakes and a very festive crew photo outside the club hut. Merry Christmas from the Beavers.
January 2026
Winter training
The new year starts the way it means to go on. Frosted towpaths and icy paddles cannot stop the Beavers, with hats, gloves and plenty of grit as the crew keeps building for the season ahead on bright winter mornings.
February 2026
Ladybower
Out on Ladybower for long distance paddling practice, with the hills and the dam wall for company. Beautiful sights to take in as both boats are put through their paces, Kraken and Outlander working hard mile after mile.
April 2026
Liverpool Nationals
A huge weekend at the Liverpool Nationals as the Beavers race our first ever nationals season. Racing past the docks with crews from across the country, we came home with our best results yet and medals to show for it.
5km
Third place
Relays
Fourth place
400m
Fourth place
May 2026
Stockton Nationals
Off to the Stockton Nationals and back home with the trophies. The mixed 200m crew powered through to take second place, and in the mixed 2km the Beavers battled the whole way round the course to claim third. Two more pieces of silverware for the cabinet.
Mixed 200m
Second place
Mixed 2km
Third place
May 2026
Coach Level 3
An incredible achievement and one the whole team is proud of. Steve's hard work, dedication and commitment to developing both himself and those around him continues to raise standards across the board. This now gives the team two Level 3 coaches, strengthening an already fantastic coaching setup and bringing even more new ideas, fresh approaches and positive development opportunities to the squad.
July 2026
Team GB U18s
History for the Beavers. Grace O'Kane, Finley Crossland, Elijah Breeze and Harrison O'Kane have all been selected for the Great Britain U18 national team, heading out to Munich for the 16th EDBF National Dragon Boat Championships from the 6th to the 12th of July 2026. Four of our own pulling on the GB kit, a moment years in the making and proof of everything the club's juniors have worked for.
September 2026
Nationals Again
Back at the Nationals for a second season, and this time with another first for the club: our own mens team on the start line. Racing in the major finals against the country's best, the mens 200m crew powered through to take fourth place, and the mixed 200m crew followed it up with fifth. Both boats making major finals in only our second year, the Beavers are moving fast.
Major Mens 200m Final
Fourth place
Major 200m Final
Fifth place
