Dragon Boating is a team paddling sport consisting of either twenty (standard boat) or ten (small boat) paddlers, seated in pairs, who paddle the boat that is decorated with a dragon’s head and tail. There is also a drummer at the front of the boat responsible for maintaining the “heartbeat” of the dragon boat and a steerer (or sweep) at the rear to direct the dragon boat.

Dragon Boating is the ultimate team sport, with twenty paddlers required to work in perfect unison. You might be surprised that timing, body flexibility, attitude and mindset can often be more important than physical strength. Paddling require a degree of fitness and will work your whole body from your ankles to your shoulders.

Dragon boating is raced over 2000m, 1000m, 500m and 200m and is a great way to develop power, strength and endurance. This makes Dragon Boating a great sport for individuals to develop their aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The requirement for everyone to paddle in unison makes Dragon Boating a great sport to develop team work and camaraderie, and it is regularly used by corporations and other sporting codes to develop these skills.

Dragon Boating is a truly international sport with regattas and festivals held around the world. In Asia it is not uncommon for festivals to attract over 400 crews, whilst outside of Asia festivals in Europe and North America regularly attract 200 crews. In Australia the largest event is the Australian Championship held in April each year which attracts in excess of 100 crews from Australia and New Zealand.