IDBF President’s visit strengthens dragon boat development in Brazil

NEWS RELEASE (#2025-17)

IDBF President’s Visit Strengthens Dragon Boat Development in Brazil

International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) President Claudio Schermi has concluded a two‑week (4–19 December) official mission to Bahia, Brazil, strengthening partnerships and advancing major projects that position the country as a rising continental leader in dragon boat.

Invited by Confederação Brasileira de Dragon Boat (CBDB) President Rogério Xavier and Vice President Cesare De Carli, President Claudio Schermi met with key state and municipal authorities, visited the future National High‑Performance Dragon Boat Training and Competition Center, and engaged with athletes, officials, and schools joining the Dragon Boat School Project in 2026. A highlight of the visit was the 9th Remo de Ouro Festival, Brazil’s largest Dragon Boat event, which brought together 51 teams and more than 1,000 athletes.

Reflecting on the experience, Schermi said:

“Since I became IDBF President in 2024, this has been my longest official trip, and I truly hope to have contributed to helping CBDB gain the recognition and support it deserves.”

He expressed gratitude for the commendation received from the Paulo Afonso City Council, presented by Councilman Valmir Rocha, and praised the high standard of Brazilian teams. The successful Officials Training Course, he noted, was “a crucial step towards soon organizing international training to certify the first IDBF‑qualified officials in Brazil.”

During his time in Paulo Afonso, Schermi also met with Mayor Mário Barreto and Bishop Dom Guido Zendron, both of whom expressed strong support for the sport’s development and its growing role in local community engagement.

Schermi emphasised the strategic importance of Brazil’s rapid progress:

“The development underway makes the vision of an International High‑Performance Training Center not only possible but imminent. With continued investment, Brazil can become a year‑round global training destination.”

Local institutions including the Municipality of Paulo Afonso, the Government of Bahia, Superintendência dos Desportos do Estado da Bahia (SUDESB), and SETRE expressed unified support for the sport’s expansion. Speaking to the broader impact of this momentum, Cesare De Carli underscored the sport’s economic and cultural value, calling it “a collective sport that brings sporting, social, and tourism benefits to the entire region.”

In Salvador, Schermi met with SUDESB General Director Vicente Neto, Director of Sports Promotion Wilton Brandão, Federal Deputy Daniel Almeida, and SETRE Secretary Augusto Vasconcellos to advance preparations for the 2026 Pan American Dragon Boat Championship. He also visited the facilities that will host the 2027 PanAm Continental Championships. One of these meetings was covered by TV Band, underscoring Bahia’s growing international visibility.

CBDB President Rogério Xavier affirmed Brazil’s ambitions:

“The Pan American Championship will showcase this beautiful sport to a wider audience. With new boats arriving soon, we will prepare a national team capable of competing with the strongest crews in the Americas. More than ten countries are expected, this will be a milestone for dragon boat in our continent.”

President Claudio Schermi’s visit reinforced the IDBF’s long‑term commitment to Brazil, marking a new chapter of technical development, institutional cooperation, and international opportunity for the sport.

 

---

About the IDBF
The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) is the global governing body for dragon boat racing. Founded in 1991, it oversees and promotes the sport of dragon boat paddling across the world. With a mission to foster unity, friendship, and fair competition, the IDBF organises multiple international world championships, sets rules and standards for dragon boat racing and equipment, and has a membership base of over 80 national federations.