Steel City Dragons

08/10/2026

Our teams keep growing! We got together most of our paddlers for team photos this weekend and it was our biggest crowd yet. A few couldn't make it, but they are just as precious to us.

If you're a Pittsburgher, check our our casual, competitive, and cancer support programs. If you're a traveling dragon boater, visit us for a session on our beautiful Allegheny River.

Three teams. One club. Stronger TOGETHER!

07/19/2026

The amazingly special thing about the Steel City Dragons club is how our teams pull for each other - Our Steel City Mixed Dragons cheered on our Pink Steel breast cancer paddlers (and vice versa) at the Dragons on the Lake Dragon Boat Festival.

Our cancer programs and our community programs give freely to each other, making our teams STRONGER TOGETHER!

07/15/2026

Pink Steel, the breast cancer team of the Steel City Dragons club in Pittsburgh, is excited to make a triumphant return to the Dragons on the Lake Dragon Boat Festival.

They've been participating in this wonderful race since 2014.

In 2026, they'll be joined by the club's mixed team, the Steel City Mixed Dragons.

Pink Steel is growing FAST and has welcomed many new paddlers and supporters from the Pittsburgh community.

They look forward to meeting others at the race and sharing their amazing story!

06/30/2026

We’re excited to be returning to Dragons on the Lake Dragon Boat Festival!

⭐️Meet the Team: Steel City Dragons⭐️

We’re excited to welcome Steel City Dragons back to Dragons on the Lake!

Based in Pittsburgh, Steel City Dragons has been promoting dragon boating through fitness, teamwork, and community since 2002. Their club welcomes paddlers of all experience levels and has helped grow the sport throughout the region for more than two decades.

We can’t wait to see them back on the water at Portage Lakes on July 18!

06/23/2026

Then and now: The Steel City Dragons returned to Toronto!

Our first out-of-town race as a club was at the 2003 Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. The top photo shows the club's women's team celebrating their final race, led by drummer Tom Schall (wearing a comely pink boa) and steerer "Sweet" Mary Scanlon (second row left).

After competing again in 2004, the club did not return to this event until 2026 (bottom photo). Sweet Mary (front row, second from right) steered again as the only team member on both crews. Drummer Colleen Carr (front row, second from left) sported her hand-knit dragon headwear and the team's mascot, "Chuckie". Head Coach Sonia "Crash" Rogers (front row center) led the team to a silver medal finish in their mixed division.

06/01/2026

We wrapped up our month-long recruiting drive with a beautiful paddling session last Saturday. Many first-time paddlers joined us to fill our two boats, along with veteran racers.

Now we are preparing to represent Pittsburgh at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival on June 13-14. We're glad to have so many new paddlers as we look forward to an exciting 2026 season!

The Steel City Dragons club is Pittsburgh's premier dragon-boat-only organization representing our city with the Pink Steel breast cancer paddlers, Pittsburgh Unity all cancer paddlers, and Steel City Mixed Dragons team of men and women.

05/17/2026

Many new faces joined our all-cancer and breast cancer paddlers today for dragon boating on the Allegheny river. We're proud to offer our Pink Steel program, Pittsburgh's original breast cancer paddler team, and Pittsburgh Unity for paddlers who've ever had a cancer diagnosis of any kind.

We enjoy, fun, fitness, and support on the river. Then enjoy a well-deserved celebration at the Baja Bar & Grill next door. Try us!

04/24/2026

We made cancer care pillows for our community!

The Pink Steel breast cancer paddlers and Pittsburgh Unity all cancer paddlers of the Steel City Dragons dragon boat club got together to make care pillows for cancer patients.

These pillows really help cancer patients ease discomfort from the ports and incisions that come with treatment by padding the affected areas.

We'll be distributing these pillows though several Pittsburgh area cancer treatment facilities and groups.

We love serving our community and sharing the joy!