Our Story

Our club began with a shared passion for paddling and community. Under the leadership of Mike and Alice Michelli, the team members embraced a spirit of camaraderie and adventure, participating in local races and building a tight-knit group. 

Embark on an inspiring exploration of the Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club, tracing our evolution from modest beginnings to a growing presence in the dragon boat world. Uncover the milestones, hurdles, and victories that have shaped our club’s identity over the years.

Nestled against the stunning backdrop of Tellico Lake, our club provides the perfect setting for paddlers to engage in the exhilarating sport of dragon boating alongside fellow enthusiasts. It’s no surprise that our motto has become “Paddle More, Age Less.”

Who Is Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club?

Our club was founded as Tennessee Heat in 2015 by two Floridian transplants who had been active with the Florida Heat Dragon Boat Club in The Villages. In 2016 a small but dedicated group embraced the sport and with patience and commitment sustained the Club through its early years. As Tellico Village continued to grow, the club did as well, attracting like-minded people looking for outdoor fitness alternatives. Over time, a core group of leadership was formed. Those passionate few attended training & coaching camp – back-to-back years – at their own expense – returning to share their training with the club which has supported the ongoing safety and skill development of each paddler.

Under the shepherd guidance of dedicated leaders, we have navigated significant growth in recent years, fostering a community of passionate paddlers and igniting a shared vision for the future.

The turning point came in 2020 when we rebranded as Tellico Heat, reflecting our evolving identity and commitment to excellence. Today, we continue to honor our founder’s legacy of all ages and skill levels, while striving for competitive success.

In 2024, our leadership team expanded with the establishment of a governing board, empowering more individuals to take on vital roles, from boat maintenance to photography and leading warm-up and cool-down sessions.

Founded in 2015 as Tennessee Heat, our dragon boat club began with a shared passion for paddling and community. Under the leadership of Mike and Alice Michelli, we embraced a spirit of camaraderie and adventure, participating in local races and building a tight-knit group. Despite challenges, our founders’ vision kept us afloat, and by 2018, we had grown enough to make a mark at the KARM festival.

The turning point came in 2020 when we rebranded as Tellico Heat, reflecting our evolving identity and commitment to excellence. Today, we continue to honor our founder’s legacy of all ages and skill levels, while striving for competitive success.

Our journey has been about more than just dragon boating; it has been a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the spirit of togetherness. Every paddle drawn through the water serves as a testament to our collective effort, echoing our motto, Paddle More, Age Less, and inviting everyone in Tellico Village and nearby communities to join our vibrant club.

Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club (THDBC) provides opportunities for a low-impact full-body workout, cardio fitness, and sporting competition on various levels, while building camaraderie in a truly synchronous group activity and enjoying the beautiful Tellico Lake.

THDBC embraces all fitness abilities. Training is structured to meet each paddler where they are, through skill-building and encouragement which will be geared to propel each paddler toward their fitness and/or competition goals.

We invite you to be a part of our story – to embrace the camaraderie, the laughter, and the powerful sensation of paddling in sync with your teammates. Together, we continue to honor our past while eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead. Join us, and let’s paddle together into the future, where every moment on the water celebrates our shared passion and shared goals.

Paddles Up!

The Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club, once known as Tennessee Heat, has a rich history that traces back to 2015. Born from a vision of camaraderie and adventure, the club began when Mike and Alice Michelli, new residents of Kahite, sought to bring the excitement of dragon boating to their community. Having participated in the Florida Heat Dragon Boat Club, they recognized the absence of a local club and took it upon themselves to fill that gap.

In early 2016, that dream took its first steps with an informational meeting at the Choto Recreation Center that ignited passion among locals. The name Tennessee Heat of Tellico Lake was chosen to honor its roots while inviting members from the broader community to join. This spirit of inclusion has remained a hallmark of our club ever since.

Our inaugural season launched with a rented boat from Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing, and the excitement was palpable. Under the warm sun, paddlers gathered at the Kahite dock, ready to embark on a journey of teamwork and personal growth. Initially, our paddles felt like a monumental challenge, but as the weeks passed, something beautiful began to unfold. Paddlers built their skills and stamina, gradually pushing the warm-up paddle to Heron Island, where laughter and encouragement echoed across the water and ready to get serious about the sport of Dragon Boat.

Throughout 2016, we focused on perfecting our form and enhancing our technique. Drills became our companions, helping members learn commands while fostering a strong sense of community. The joy of synchronized paddling reflected the essence of our club, where each stroke symbolized unity and a shared commitment to growth. As the season drew to a close, we not only gained strength but also forged lifelong friendships that transcended mere sport.

In 2019, a significant milestone arrived with our rebranding to Tellico Heat, a name that encapsulated our local identity and mission. Our journey has been about more than just dragon boating; it has been a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the spirit of togetherness. Every paddle drawn through the water serves as a testament to our collective effort, echoing our motto Paddle More, Age-Less, and inviting everyone in Tellico and beyond to join our vibrant community.

As we look ahead, the Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club remains committed to enriching lives and nurturing connections through the exhilarating sport of dragon boating. We invite you to be a part of our story – to embrace the camaraderie, laughter, and the powerful sensation of paddling in sync with your teammates. Together, we continue to honor our past while eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead. Join us, and let’s paddle together into the future, where every moment on the water celebrates our unity and shared goals.

For a detailed look at the history of how Tennessee Heat became Tellico Heat click on the link on the banner, “Our History in Debth”  at the top of this section.

A core group of leadership built their expertise as paddlers and coaches by attending coaching class (s), training camps and using the wealth of information available on all facets of the sport.

As a result of their passion, THDBC attracted 35 new members in 2023 and a similar number in 2024.

THDBC donated a combined $8,000 and $6,050 for 2023 and 2024 respectively for causes such as Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter, Breast Cancer Awareness, Cumberland River Pact and Knox Area Rescue Mission. The 2024 total was impacted by the cancellation of Lake James Festival after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Here is a look back over the 2024 Season (video loop).

2025, an Epic Year for the Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club

For Tellico Heat, the 2025 Season was second to none to a greater degree due to the leadership of the past couple of years that shepherded THDBC through significant growth, nurturing paddlers, maintained a vision, shared determination and their love of dragon boat. The club formed a  governing board with the start of the 2024 season. This helped to lay the foundation for the success of the 2025 season. 

From Fitness and Endurance Paddles to Race Practices, Festivals and Competitions, our mission and goals exceeded all expectations making this the best one yet. This season, we had the addition of some awesome drone footage from a paddler’s husband, Randy. (Johnson City prep wearing our Circulation Sponsors Practice Jersey’s)

A few members participated in GWN and PanAM Training Camps (9 paddlers competed in the Tampa Dragon Boat Festival’s Senior C Mixed as Team OTC in April). Coaches held training sessions for our Men‘s Clinic, our Pacers & Rockets, and showed our community spirit by hosting a Dragon Boat experience to promote awareness for Ovarian Cancer.

The team traveled to compete, making debut 500m and 10-Paddler boat races. Races included, Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival on the beautiful Alabama River at Montgomery Riverfront Park with proceeds benefiting River Region Trails, Inc non-profit working to develop pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to enhance community health, quality of life, economic development, tourism, and equality working to extend the Riverfront Greenway in 2025 which opens up more opportunists  for getting out on the water);  Chicago International Dragon Boat at Busse Woods (USDBF Competition 2x200m and 2x500m mixed/women); Johnson City Community Competition for Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands at Winged Deer Park; Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival at AJ Jolly Park (Paddling for Cancer Awareness (P4CA) in Alexandria); and, Peachtree City Dragon Boat Race & International Festival at Drake Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, hosted by Peach State Dragon Boat Academy featuring fast-paced 10-paddler 200m races (a THDBC first) on the scenic waters of Lake Peachtreee, which included a most meaningful Cancer Flower Ceremony honoring survivors and loved ones affected by cancer. This race also included the now epic Knock-Out Race where teams competed in 100m races until the final heat. Tellico Heat Mixed and the Tellico Heat Women’s 10 made it to the final round coming in 2nd and 3rd! If you are still reading, know that the Women’s 10 Paddler Boat has bragging rights until season 2026 for the fastest time in the 200m race! 

The cooler weather in September and October brought some of the best of the season on Tellico Lake for both Fitness and Endurance Paddles, much beloved by many members of the club.

The team concluded its official race season in our epic 2nd Annual Intra-Club Races held at our very on Tellico Lake in front of a supportive crowd at Tellico Yacht Club where the 2nd of three races was not to be missed. (See Video). While Green Envy won the competion with the fastest average time (1:00.61). Orange Crush proved that Tellico Heat paddles with fierceness, determination and teamwork (Race #2).

Three paddlers from THDBC traveled to participate in the Lake Hernando PanAm Dragon Boat Festival, two of whom paddled with HEAT DBC earning a Bronze Medal in the Premier Mixed Race. Bob Holz, one of our club’s new members for 2025 had the opportunity to paddle with an inexperienced team from a local Elementary School. He left Tellico Village as a Paddler and came back a Coach, representing our club, embodying our mission! Pam and Kevin paddled with Heat Premier Senior C earning a bronze medal. They had a great experience in Hernando. Well done, Pam, Kevin, and Bob. (We may all be a bit jealous!) But, thank you! You made us proud!

Tellico Heat may be paddling in different boats throughout the season, but we paddle as one! Fitness and Endurance Paddles are a club favorite. Please consider joining us for 2026 where you can Paddle More, Age-less! Special thanks to Doug, Club Manager, and all the coaches, for an amazing season! 

2025 ALSO BROUGHT SUPPORT FOR OUR OWN SANDI DEDICATING RACES FOR HER: SANDI’S SOLDIERS!

The men and women of THDBC welcome the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful lake and to work toward personal fitness and team competition goals while continually developing their skills unique to the sport of dragon boat. Race Prep Montage

Whether a member chooses to compete or not, wonderful camaraderie is built by participating in all levels of learning and fitness sessions, filling in on competition practices or working on a spot for festival competitions. Group social events and communications keep everyone connected and grow friendships. 

Thank you for reading through our journey of through our first decade of dragon boating.

We would love for you to become a part of our club into the next decade. Follow our current journey on facebook and through our media highlights.