What is Dragon Boat Racing?
Dragon Boating is an exciting sport that is growing in popularity every year! If you are looking for a fun and challenging new sport then why not give it a go? During races, the dragon boats are brightly painted fibre-glass boats, about 40ft in length and decorated with a dragon's head and tail to reflect its Chinese dragon boating origins. Each boat can hold up to 20 paddlers sitting side-by-side. There is a sweep who steers the boat with all the paddlers staying in time by following the front two paddlers (otherwise known as 'strokes'). During races a drummer sits at the bow and beats a large drum which helps to motivate the paddlers. The standard race distance is 500m and shorter 250m sprints. On race day, with all the drums, shouting and colourful boats, it’s an impressive and exciting sport both to watch and to compete in.
History
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.
Dragon Boat Racing in Australia
The Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF) is the overall governing body for Dragon Boating in Australia. AusDBF was founded in 1997 and became a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation in 1999. Dragon Boats NSW Inc. (DBNSW) is the governing body for Dragon Boating in New South Wales and a member of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation. There are currently almost 2000 members residing in all corners of the state from Byron Bay to Jindabyne and everywhere in between.
More info:
- What is dragon boat racing?
- About Eastern Suburbs Dragon Boat Club (ESDBC)
- How to join ESDBC
- Training times
