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Dragon Boating

The Canberra Dragon Flyers Dragon Boat Club

Canberra ‘s Dragon Boat Community is well represented by the Dragon Flyers Club which is Canberra’s largest. It was established in 2003 and since its humble beginnings the Dragon Flyers Club has swollen to more than 100 members.

The Club has a broad mix of members of all ages (15 through to 67) and from all walks of life and employment, who come together to compete in racing (and to win), relish the opportunity to get a good workout on the lake when not competing and to enjoy each other’s company in what is a real team sport. The variety in ages allows the Club to field teams in all age categories from the Premier Division through to the Grand Masters.

The Club has a healthy balance between competing and socialising. The Dragon Flyers are well-renowned for their competitive spirit and their social attributes.

The Club is an incorporated organisation and is led by a very proactive Committee which is representative of the Club’s membership.

The Club has a very good track record in competing in local regattas, inter-state regattas, and the Australian National Championships. In July 2010 the Club’s Grand Masters Women’s team will compete at the 7th Club Crew World Championships in Macau. This will be the Club’s first appearance at an international competition and we aim to continue the trend with our other age categories.

The Dragon Flyers extend an invitation to any person wishing to give Australia’s fastest growing sport a go (in all age groups). It is a no impact sport that provides a total body workout and finds muscles that you never knew existed. But it is also adrenalin fuelled sport with an addictive personality, particularly once you have competed in a regatta.

The Club’s training times are 5.45pm to 7.00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8.45am to 10.00am on Saturdays, meeting on the shore next to the Canberra Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla. Just wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet (after all it is a water sport) . In winter, a light thermal top, long pants, a spray jacket, old runners and gloves are a good idea. But even when it’s really cold you warm up in no time at all. We will fit you out with a lifejacket and a paddle.

For more information on the Club please have a look at its website at http://www.dragonflyers.net.au/

What is Dragon Boating
A dragon boat has a maximum crew of 22, consisting of up to 20 paddlers, with a sweep at the back of the boat steering it and a drummer on the front beating the time. For racing, the boats are decorated with a dragon head and tail to add to the colourful atmosphere. Racing distances are usually over 200 metres, 500 metres, or 2,000 metres. But in Asia teams compete over much longer distances. In China there are 35km races. Clearly fitness is an important ingredient for the sport which uses both aerobic and anaerobic muscles (slow twitch and fast twitch).

Membership
Membership is open to all from juniors (from 15 years of age) , open men and women to masters (over 40) and grand masters (over 50). Membership is from September to September as the competition season starts in late September. Fees are $190/year which includes $150 for the Dragon Boat Association for insurance and the Club’s use of its equipment and insurance.

President – Kevin Taylor president@dragonflyers.net.au
Recruitment Officer – Steve Moore admin@dragonflyers.net.au
Membership Officer – John Crickmore membership@dragonflyers.net.au

The postal address for correspondence is:

ABN: 30 259 619 432