Invictus is a community team dedicated to the excitement of highly competitive dragon boat and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) racing. Our team provides all necessary equipment, including dragon boat paddles and life jackets, for those eager to learn these thrilling sports.
We hold dragon boat practice twice a week at Rick's on the River in Tampa—Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and Saturday mornings at 8:30 AM. Dragon boating is not just a sport; it's a vibrant, competitive social experience that fosters new friendships and the opportunity to win medals at races.
This is a membership-based non-profit club, with a monthly fee of $20. Membership contributions support the costs of boat storage, insurance, and maintenance for our dragon boat and SUP fleet.
Since our founding in 2014, we have participated in various dragon boat and SUP races annually, bringing a strong sense of community to the sport. Our mission is to cultivate a supportive community culture through teaching and engaging in dragon boat and SUP racing, alongside volunteering for numerous outreach projects.
The team is led by Captain Jim Ellis, who brings 18 years of dragon boat racing experience and a passion for paddling and fitness. He is dedicated to sharing this enthusiasm with new members interested in joining our team.
In addition to our racing activities, Invictus actively engages in various environmental and community events throughout the year, including:

• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.org - Member of the Board of Trustees

• Paddle4Autism.org – Volunteering to help teach SUP to children with autism

• KnottyGirl.org Partnership – Campaigns for Breast Cancer Awareness in October

• Tropical Nights – A fundraiser for Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful

• Trashy Flashy Fashion Show – Presented by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful

To learn more about our activities and the sport, visit us at www.InvictusPaddlingClub.com. We welcome new members who want to try their hand at these thrilling sports or become involved in our community and environmental projects.