OUR STORY… A transformational JOURNEY

Leviathan was established by a passionate group of recreational paddlers who set out with a straightforward yet ambitious goal: to break the 500-meter race barrier of 2 minutes and 10 seconds. This pursuit of excellence led to the formation of our original team, Ship Storm, in 2015.

In the early years of our journey, we experienced a mix of successes and challenges that helped us grow as athletes and as a team. These initial achievements not only boosted our confidence but also provided us with invaluable lessons that shaped our approach to training and competition. Our commitment to improvement has been a driving force in our development, laying the foundation for the thriving program we have today.

As our crew's passion for performance grew, so did our desire for more advanced-level training, propelling us toward a high-performance program. In late 2017, we initiated a transformative three-year strategy under the transitional name of Ship Storm: Leviathan.

Our initial goal was to break the 500-meter time of 2 minutes and 8 seconds, which we achieved earlier than anticipated. Soon, times between 2:01 and 2:02 became the new standard for our crew. For the first time in our team's history, many members had the opportunity to compete in the highly competitive “A” Division, a significant achievement that reflected our hard work and long-term commitment to excellence.

In 2024, our Leviathan Black crew accomplished what once seemed impossible: we recorded consistent times of under 2 minutes in the 500-metre race at the Can-American Club Crew Championships. This milestone is a testament to our belief that with dedication and perseverance, anything can be achieved. Our journey continues to inspire us, proving that determination truly pays off.

Thanks to the progressive approach we take in our training and program structure, we have experienced significant growth over the years. Today, we remain dedicated to nurturing athletes as they advance to higher levels of paddling, well beyond the recreational stage, with our organization now boasting over 100 members spread across four mixed-gender teams.

Leviathan is also proud to be a founding member of the True North Paddling Club, which includes our sister crews: the True North Hammerheads, True North Premier Women, True North Senior Women, True North SLP Premier Open, and the University of Toronto Engineering Iron Dragons. This collaborative network enhances our community, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and support among all teams as we collectively strive for excellence in dragon boat racing.