The IDBA has a Youth Dragon Boat Program which is scheduled to run from March-October, funding permitting. This program is designed as a summer and an after-school program and is opened to all youth in the region.

Aside from a bunch of enthusiasic youth willing to have some fun out on the waters, a youth team requires 2-3 adult mentors and a sponsoring organization. Adult mentors are people who is willing to be legally and morally responsible for the team and work as a liason between our organization and the youth team. A sponsoring organization can be any of the community service organizations, a church, high school or any local, non-profit organization to which the youth belong.

The Youth Dragon Boat Program is a collaborative effort between the International Dragon Boat Association, the Jack London Aquatic Center, the City of Oakland and relevant departments, the Oakland Unified School District and other regional school districts, and Port of Oakland.