About

About the Illawarra Dragon Boat Club

Our club is a community based club formed in 2009. Our aim is to provide dragon boating for all Illawarra residents who would like to particpate in this fun, water-based activity. Our club has grown from Dragons Abreast Illawarra which was a local dragon boat club for breast cancer survivors and supporters.

What is Dragon Boating?

Dragon boating is one of the world's most popular sports occurring in over 35 countries. It is the fastest growing water sport in Australia for individuals, private and corporate teams.

Dragon boating is a fun and accessible water-sport suitable for all ages (12+) and fitness levels.

Dragon boating caters for both social paddling and competitions at regattas. At regattas, race distances vary with the standard race distance being 500 m. Sprints of 200 m are common at regattas. Longer distance races can range form 2 km to over 55 km.

What is a Dragon Boat?

Dragon boats are just over 12 m long seating up to 20 paddlers sitting side-by-side on 10 benches as well as a sweep who steers the boat and a drummer who beats a large drum at the bow. Dragon boats are brightly painted and decorated with a dragon head and tail for race events. 

How did Dragon Boating Come About?

The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet who drowned himself during the third century BC in protest against a corrupt government. The tragic death of Qu Yuan is honoured each year on the fifth day of the fifth moon, when the fisherman’s attempt to save the poet is re-enacted in the form of dragon boat races. All around the world, people have embraced the water sport and formed dragon boat racing clubs in their own countries. As dragon boat racing quickens its pace to become one of the hottest water sports, it is gaining momentum to being recognised as an Olympic sport.