Executive Committee

Claudio Schermi is a graduate in Economics and Business Administration at the University of Rome. He is an entrepreneur and a coach in the field of sports management, events organization, corporate training and team building.

He is the President of the European Dragon Boat Federation and the President of the International Dragon Boat Federation. He was the founder and President of the Italian Federation of which he is Honorary President.

Claudio Schermi has always been practicing sport, particularly Canoe Kayak, Ocean Racing and Dragon Boating.

He also organized 3 editions of the EDBF European Nations Dragon Boat Championships, as well as one European Club Crews Dragon Boat Championships and the Dragon Boat Club Crews World Championships (CCWC) in 2002 and 2014. The next CCWC will be in Ravenna, Italy in 2024.

Meri serves as Senior Vice President of the International Dragon Boat Federation. With extensive experience in governance and leadership across major New Zealand organizations, she has dedicated over two decades to advancing dragon boating globally.

As Global President of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission since 2018, Meri has achieved a 50% membership growth to 41 countries, implemented strategic governance reforms, and promoted diversity through initiatives for male ambassadors and medical advisory panels.

In her IDBF leadership roles, she has strengthened international collaboration and expanded participation across six continents, pioneering events in emerging regions. Honoured by King Charles as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for services to breast cancer awareness and dragon boating, Meri continues to champion inclusivity for LGBTQIA+, Para dragon, and survivor paddlers while driving IDBF’s vision for Olympic recognition.

Arnold Chung has been involved in the dragon boat since 1991 starting as a paddler and the Head Coach of Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Team in 2009-2013. Mr. Chung is the Chairman of Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association and successfully held the 15th Asian Dragon Boat Championships in Hong Kong in 2024. He is also the vice president of Asian Dragon Boat Federation and sit-in several major sport panels in Hong Kong.

Pep Juncà has been involved in the development of dragon boat for more than 15 years. With a background in Business Administration, sport, health and wellbeing, he has focused his career on promoting physical activity for lifelong fitness, social inclusion and community building. He played a key role in rebuilding the Spanish Dragon Boat Federation and supporting its growth into one of the most participative national teams in Europe.

He has coordinated major international events, including the 14th EDBF European Nations Championships in 2022 and the annual Barcelona International Dragon Boat Festival. Since 2022, he has served as Secretary General of the European Dragon Boat Federation. He is also the founder of the Rowing Against Cancer Foundation and CEO of Dragon Boat Emotions Spain, promoting dragon boat as an accessible and community-driven sport.

Wendi Zhou has been involved in dragon boat as an athlete, coach, and manager for almost two decades. She helped found one of the first university dragon boat teams in Montreal, and has coached at the junior, 24U/University, and premier levels. She has continued to be involved with the Canadian national team since 2013.

Wendi was first elected to the IDBF Council as the Chair of the Youth Commission in 2021 and has worked on a number of youth-centered initiatives, including contributing toward growth of the 24U/University division both in Canada and world-wide.

Li Haigang graduated from the Institute of International Relations of Peking University University and has worked in the Competitive Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport of China for nearly 20 years. He is responsible for the Chinese sports delegation that participates in major international events such as the Summer and Winter Olympics and Asian Games. Li Haigang is also a representative of the Chinese Olympic Committee for the World Games, Sino German Sports Exchange, World University Games, and World Military Games.

He is currently the Deputy Director of the Chinese Leisure Sport Administrative Centre and Head of the Management Department of the Chinese Dragon Boat Association and brings to the IDBF his in depth knowledge and rich experience in sports project management, sports competition organisation, and sports international affairs.

Former team leader of the China Macau Dragon Boat Team back in 2005-2007 World Nations Dragon Boat Championships in Berlin and Sydney. From 2006 onwards, he is the Race Director of the annual Macau International Dragon Boat Races. 

Promoted to the IDBF Level 4 race official in 2009, he served in the IDBF Club Crew and World Nations Championships, World Nations Cup events. At the Asian Dragon Boat Federation’s events, such as Asian Dragon Boat Championships, South Asian Sea Games, East Asian Games, and more, he served as the Chief Race Official, Technical Director, and Race Jury. ​

In 2013, he was appointed as an Acting General Secretary and was elected as General Secretary for a four-year term at the 2017 IDBF Members Ordinary Congress in Kunming, China.

Commencing paddling in 1989, she competed in several IDBF World Club Crew and IDBF World Championships for Australia.

With a background in sports management and business, Loretta has been a great contribution to the strategic planning and sustainability of the sport and the federation since 2011. By managing all the accounting and financial reporting, she ensures the IDBF has sound accounting practices and budgeting process.

Anna Sokratous started dragon boating in Cyprus over 15 years ago. She has seen the sport grow through her roles as Treasurer, Event Organiser, a dragon boat Coach, and paddler.

 She is currently the President of the European Dragon Boat Federation  (EDBF) .

Anna has always been practicing sport, particularly volleyball and Dragon Boating. Commencing paddling in 2010, she competed in several IDBF World Club Crew and IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships for Cyprus,

As well as being an experienced Grade 2 IDBF Race Official officiating at several European and World Championships since 2016.

Alongside her passion and commitment to dragon boating, Anna brings a strong professional background in finance and accounting.

This professional expertise ensures that she approach financial stewardship with accuracy, responsibility, and transparency, values that she brings to her new IDBF Deputy Treasurer role.

Belinda brings 20 years of digital marketing and communications experience across the transport, energy and finance sectors. At IDBF, she leads digital strategy, manages the federation’s digital channels, and drives merchandising and sponsorship initiatives for world championships and milestone events.

She co‑authored Modern Day Dragon Boat Racing, IDBF’s 30th Anniversary book, and organises the IDBF Hall of Fame awards. She also supports global promotion of the sport through cross‑commission digital and educational initiatives.

Her role was incorporated into the IDBF Executive Committee at the 18th Members Congress in 2022, reflecting the federation’s commitment to strategic marketing and global visibility.

A paddler since 2004, Belinda competes at local, state, national and international levels, coaches corporate teams, and manages club, state and national crews. She has served as an IDBF Race Official since 2008 and holds a Grade 3 IRO qualification.

Jason Chen brings over 20 years of experience in dragon boat sport development, spanning global race officiating, technical governance, inclusive innovation, and community leadership.

He is a long-serving member of the IDBF Competition & Technical Commission and has served as IDBF’s Race Officials Secretariat since 2012, supporting more than 800 Race Officials worldwide through communications, training, and development. He holds a Grade 4 IRO certification.

Jason is also the founder of the Alita Initiative, a team that uses technology to enable persons with physical disabilities to paddle—advancing inclusion through innovation and advocacy.

Ross Flemer, MBA, is Chair of the IDBF Athletes Commission and a member of the IDBF Executive Committee and Council, bringing over 30 years of elite paddling experience and athlete advocacy to the global stage. A 59-time IDBF World Championship medalist—including 22 golds—Ross has represented Team USA in 18 cycles, serving as team captain in 16 and assistant coach in four. He champions athlete-centered governance, talent development, and international collaboration across IDBF initiatives.

Beyond competition, Ross has held board roles with the IDBF Hall of Fame Committee, Penn Athletic Club, Philadelphia Dragonboat Association, and Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club. His leadership blends strategic insight with a passion for sport development—mentoring athletes, advising national team selection, and expanding dragon boating across the U.S., California, and Hawaii.