2015AUSTRALIAN DRAGON BOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS
1 • Wide range of accommodation • Award winning restaurants • Boutique wineries & brewery • Art galleries & unique villages • Vibrant shopping centres • Araluen Botanic Park WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Fresh fruit orchards • Hills, valleys, dams, walk & bike trails • Picnic areas • Festival & fun
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Message from the Minister for Sport and Recreation ii International Dragon Boat Federation IDBF Presidents Welcome iii Message from Australian Dragon Boat Federation Board iv Presidents message v Event Directors message vi Event details 1 Event schedule 2 Opening Ceremony 3 Map 4 The history and traditions of dragon boating 6 Australian Championships’ history 7 AusDBF Honour Roll 8 State by State 11 Australian Capital Territoy 12 New South Wales 14 Queensland 16 South Australia 18 Tasmania 20 Victoria 22 Western Australia 24 Dragons Abreast 26 Northern Territory 27 Club team profiles 29 Notes 58 Message from the Minister for Sport and Recreation Welcome to Western Australia and to the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre for the 2015 Australian Dragon Boat Championships. We are delighted that some 2,000 competitors from 50 clubs, many from all parts of Australia, will be here for this exciting and spectacular event. These numbers, and the level of competition available for crews at these Championships is indicative of the strong growth in participation and profile of the sport of dragon boat racing in Australia over the past decade or so. When Perth first hosted these national titles, held on the old Canning River rowing course in April 2004, there were 600 competitors - but even then it was predicted the success of the event would be the forerunner to national and state growth. Thanks to the proactive work by Dragon Boating WA, as well as athletes and administrators from the other state and territory bodies and of course the Australian Dragon Boat Federation, the sport has evolved and matured into a well-organised and popular participation sport. The Western Australian Government is committed to supporting active and healthy sports such as dragon boat racing and through the Department of Sport and Recreation was pleased to provide funding assistance to stage this event. It’s an important event for the sport in Australia given the champion crew will qualify to represent Australia in the World Club Crew Championships in Adelaide next year. Congratulations to all who have been involved with organising and running this event. We are proud of this aquatic sport facility at Champion Lakes and I know all who take part will appreciate the venue. On behalf of the Western Australian Government I wish all competitors, officials, their supporters, and in particular overseas representatives and those from the International Dragon Boat Federation, welcome and good luck. Hon Mia Davies MLA Minister for Sport and Recreation
ii International Dragon Boat Federation IDBF Presidents Welcome
Once again it is an honour for me to welcome the Australian Dragon Boat paddling fraternity to the 2015 Australian National Championships on the outstanding Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in Perth, Western Australia. I would like to acknowledge the considerable and positive contribution Australia has made to the development and promotion of the sport of Dragon Boat racing, as founding members of the IDBF. Since 1991 Australia has been instrumental in promoting the sport not only within your own country, but in your local Oceania and Trans-Tasman region, in South East Asia and around the globe. Your consistent presence at regattas across the world proves what everybody knows about Australians… you love competition and a challenge. Already the dominant nations in our sport, Canada, China, USA and Germany have a very keen eye focused on Australia, and just like you dominate sports like rugby, cricket, swimming, hockey and netball I am certain it will not be long before we see you consistently taking your place on the podium in Dragon Boat Racing. Next year will see Australia host the 2016 Club Crew Championships, Trans-Tasman and Oceania Championships and the Asian Dragon Boat Championships, a trifecta of regattas which will without doubt firmly place you on the map for our sport. A task I am certain you will complete with the highest level of professionalism, energy, and competence. I wish all paddlers, officials, crews, and volunteers the very best of luck for the regatta. May the fire of the dragon burn strongly for you all.
iii Message from Australian Dragon Boat Federation Board
What an exciting time to be a part of the world’s fastest growing team water sport? Here in Australia, as is the case across the globe, the sport of Dragon Boat Racing, our sport of Dragon Boat Racing is going from strength to strength. This year Australia hasenjoyed member numbers continuing to grow while we havewelcomedXXX new clubs to the sport from around the country. The 17th Australian National Dragon Boat Championships will see over XX clubs and XX paddlers represent all state sand territories, compete over a five day program, including the emotionally charged State Championship titles. As always we expect the regatta to deliver non-stop action from the opening ceremony on Tuesday 14April through to the last dance at the after party on Saturday 18April. This is the XX time Western Australia has played host to the Australian Dragon Boat Championships and the organising committee and team have been working tirelessly to ensure the success of the event. The first-rate facilities and championship race course at the appropriately named Champion Lakes Regatta Centre will provide the perfect venue to test the skills of our paddling fraternity, and provide world-class amenities for competitors and spectators alike. On behalf of the entire Australian Dragon Boat community, the Board of Directors of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation, wish to extend their sincere thanks to the Dragon Boat Western Australia organising committee, led by Barbara Clarkson for their work to deliver what will be another outstanding program of racing and celebration. Without a dedicated team of volunteers this event could not take place. We encourage you to express your thanks to the volunteers as you go about the race program….. look out for their distinctive uniforms and share a smile with them all. As we continue to work together to further promote the sport of Dragon Boat Racing in Australia, the Board thanks you for your ongoing support as we work towards 2016 and what will without doubt be an extraordinary time for our sport. We wish all paddlers, crews, officials and volunteers and outstanding fun, enjoyable, and safe week regatta.
iv Presidents message On behalf of all members of Dragon Boating WA (DBWA), I extend a warm welcome to everyone who has joined us in Perth, Western Australia for the 2015 Australian Championships. Thank you to all the paddlers who have made the journey to WA to compete and thank you to all the coaches, club committees, families and friends who have provided ongoing guidance and support to the competitors so they might achieve their paddling goals. The DBWA membership is excited to be hosting the championships in Perth and we are proud to showcase the excellent race facilities at Champion Lakes. Those paddlers who attended the 2008 championships at Champion Lakes will notice the extensive improvements that have been made to the event centre over the last seven years. As we are all aware, events such as these do not magically appear. Rather, they are due to the concerted efforts of a dedicated team of people who work long hours to bring it all together in an organised manner. I would like to thank both the AusDBF and DBWA boards for their assistance and support in the preparation of the Australian Championships. It is at such times there are certain people who rise above the challenges and go the extra mile to get work done, resolve issues, or take on extra duties. It is with this in mind that I wish to recognise the extraordinary effort of DBWA’s Barbara Clarkson, Chair of the 2015 Australian Championships Organising Committee, who has devoted a vast amount of time and energy into organising this championship event. Likewise, I wish to recognise the excellent work and steadfast support of other key members of the Organising Committee, namely Christina Wohlsen, Victor Fazakerley, Martin Hastings and Lesa Horntvedt (all of AusDBF) and Paula Cottingham and Rex Tindal (both of DBWA). Thank you to all of you for your hard work and dedication to making this event the best it could be – you are all a credit to the sport and your devotion and professionalism to the job is of the highest calibre. Without a doubt, the efforts of the many people involved in running the event is of great significance. DBWA is deeply appreciative of the efforts of our many wonderful volunteers that come not only from WA but from across the nation and freely give their time to make the championships run smoothly for the paddlers. We are indebted to the talented officials who ensure the races are executed in a fair and consistent manner, which is no small task indeed. The officials are constantly required to be “on their game” and have to be able to make important decisions that are technically correct and delivered in a timely manner. It is a taxing role which deserves the utmost respect. So, if you see a volunteer or an official during your time at the championships, please be sure to stop and thank them for their hard work – they are doing it all for us, the paddlers! It is my sincere hope that all competitors have an enjoyable, fun and safe championship event and leave Perth and WA with fond memories. I wish you all the best in your paddling endeavours at the 2015 Australian Championships in Perth. WA. Paddles up! Kristin Priest DBWA President
v Event Directors message
Welcome to the 2015 AusDBF Australian Dragon Boat Championships! For many of you, it’s a long trek to the wilds of WA and Dragon Boating WA extends a warm welcome to all officials, volunteers, competitors, family and friends – it’s your participation and passion that makes dragon boating such an amazing sport. We love to put on a good show and our AusChamps organising committee plus many happy helpers from across the state have worked tirelessly to bring you an Australian Championships experience of the highest standard. In particular, thanks and pats on the back are due to the Organising Committee, the DBWA Board and our clubs in WA who have assisted us in staging this event. A big thank you to our two volunteer coordinators Paula and Di, and the amazing volunteers and officials who donate so much of their time. Without them, this event would not happen. We wish all competitors a fantastic time on the water. Paddle hard. Paddle long. Paddle on. Barbara Clarkson Chair - 2015 Australian Dragon Boat Championships
vi Event details
1 Event schedule
Monday, 13 April Training sessions Champion Lakes 8.00am – 3.00pm Opening ceremony Champion Lakes 5.00pm – 6.30pm AusDBF President’s Drinks Champion Lakes Clubhouse Tuesday, 14 April Senior A, B, C Club Championship – 200m, 2000m Wednesday, 15 April Senior A, B, C Club Championship – 500m, 2000m Thursday, 16 April Trans-Tasman Championship State vs State Australian Championship – 200m, 500m Both 10s and 20s racing Friday, 17 April Junior (U18) Youth (U23) Club Championship – 500m, 2000m Premier (Open Age) Saturday, 18 April Junior (U18) Youth (U23) Club Championship – 200m, 2000m Premier (Open Age) Golden Nugget Room, After Party Celebration Gloucester Park, East Perth Sunday, 19 April
AusDBF Meetings Department of Sport and Recreation, National and State boards 246 Vincent Street, Leederville 6007
2 Opening Ceremony
Please arrive 20 minutes prior 5.00pm-6.30pm Monday, 13 April 2015 Henley Drive, Champion Lakes Master of ceremonies: Ric Reader
4.30 to 5.00pm Chung Wah Chinese orchestra 5.00 to 5.15pm Official welcome and overview Michelle van Niekerk AusDBF 5.15 to 5.25pm Welcome to Country Viv and Mort Hansen 5.30 to 5.45pm Parade of states and flag bearers Paddlers Oath- Hannah Dixon “On behalf of all paddlers, I promise to take part in this regatta, showing mutual respect and abiding by the rules that govern, with the Dragon Spirit in heart and mind, for the glory of Dragon Boat and the honour of all teams.” 5.50pm Introduction of Master Sammy Yap Chung Wah Association to perform the Blessing of the Boats and Dotting of the Eye ceremony. 6.00pm Dragon boats will be assembled on the beach where dignitaries will approach the heads to dot the eyes and the forehead. 6.25pm Closing – Master of Ceremonies 6.30pm Dragon Dance Yaolin Kung Fu Association 6.30 to 7.30pm Refreshments for invited guests First floor Champion Lakes clubhouse
3 Map The Lake Pontoon 1 Pontoon Pontoon 3 Pontoon Pontoon 2 Pontoon Pontoon 4 Pontoon Boat ramp Boat
VW shed Toilets Boat shed RWA shed Volunteers VW Toilets Accrod Out of parking Toilets First compound
Marshalling aid bounds Food and merchandise Water 1 Water 2
Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Finish Tower
Race secretariat Presentation area
The Course
4 The Lake Pontoon 1 Pontoon Pontoon 3 Pontoon Pontoon 2 Pontoon Pontoon 4 Pontoon Boat ramp Boat
VW shed Toilets Boat shed RWA shed Volunteers VW Toilets Accrod Out of parking Toilets First compound
Marshalling aid bounds Food and merchandise Water 1 Water 2
Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Team tents Finish Tower
Race secretariat Presentation area
The Course
5 The history and traditions of dragon boating The Dragon Boat Festival in China is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and is a major Chinese holiday. The Dragon Boat Festival began as an occasion for driving off evil spirits and pestilence, for finding peace in one’s life, and to supplicate the God of Water to prevent disaster and bring fortune. Traditionally all debts must be made good on that day. Homage is paid to one’s ancestors and the dragon is appeased. The festival was later enriched by the legend of Qu Yuan 332-296 BC (pronounced Chu Yuan), the legendary poet and statesman who lived during the Chou dynasty. He was Privy Councillor to Emperor of the Kingdom of Chu, and enjoyed his esteem and confidence. However, other ministers who were jealous of his position, whispered damaging rumours about him to the sovereign and he was banished from the kingdom. Heart stricken by his injustice, he wandered for many years throughout the countryside composing poems about his love for the people, which he hoped would be heard and heeded by the Emperor. His inconsolable desolation grew until one day he grasped a large stone to his chest and Qu Yuan – From an ancient threw himself into the Mi Lo River. Chinese Manuscript The local fishermen were so moved that they raced out in their boats to recover his body, banging their drums to frighten away the fish and to prevent them eating his body. As they did not find him, they then threw rice dumplings into the river to succor his spirit. Before a dragon boat can enter the competition, it must first undergo a ceremony to “bring it to life”. Local leaders offer prayers and the eyes of the dragon are painted on, to give him sight. The ornately decorated boats are carried to the shore amidst the clamor of gongs and drums and a ceremony is held involving incense, prayers, throwing rice on the water and the lighting of fireworks. The most popular dish during the festival is Tzung Tzu (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).
6 Australian Championships’ history
Club Paddler Year Venue Length numbers numbers 1997 Adelaide, SA 1 day 1998 Canberra, ACT 1 day 1999 Yarra River, VIC 1 day 2000 SIRC, NSW 1 day 2001 Darwin, NT 2 days 2002 Gold Coast, QLD 3 days 2003 Adelaide, SA (West Lakes) 3 days 2004 Perth, WA (Canning River) 3 days 2005 Canberra, ACT 3 days 2006 Nagambie, VIC 3 days 36 Approx 800 2007 SIRC, NSW 4 days 41 900 2008 Perth, WA (Champion Lakes) 4 days 21 720 2009 Sunshine Coast, QLD 4 days 39 1491 2010 Adelaide, SA (West Lakes) 4 days 48 1973 2011 Canberra, ACT 4 days 71 2461 2012 Melbourne, VIC (Docklands) 5 days 75 2964 2013 SIRC, NSW 5 days 90 3083 2014 Sunshine Coast, QLD 5 days 76 3000+
7 AusDBF Honour Roll Life Members 2012 Asian Championships, Busan, South Trevor Huggard (Victoria, 2008) Korea – Karen Hall (NSW) Raymond Leung (NSW, 2008) 2013 World Championships, Szeged, Hungary – Jo Petersen (NSW) Les Williams (ACT, 2008) 2014 Asian Championships, Macau, SAR Jon Taylor (NSW, 2009 posthumously) China – Bryan Buttery (SA) Michelle Hanton (NT, 2010) 2014 Inaugural World Cup, Fuzhou, China – No Life Members were inducted in 2011 Karen Morris (VIC) 2012 2013 2015 World Championships, Welland, JON TAYLOR award winners Canada – To be announced Jennifer Bould (SA, 2009) Australian Team Captains (first Michele Moroney (ACT, 2010) appointed in 2008) Vic Fazakerley (WA, 2011) 2008 Asian Championships, Penang, Joint Winners: Blair Gamble (QLD, 2012) Malaysia - Captain: George Louie (NSW); and Malcolm Wills (NSW, 2012) Vice Captains: Mathew Roberts (NSW) and Darryl Manzie (NT, 2013) Tina Bain (ACT) Loretta Lewis (QLD, 2014) 2009 World Championships, Prague, Czech Australian Flag Bearers Republic - Captain: Darren Ma (NSW); 1999 World Championships, Nottingham, Vice Captains: Janelle Gamble (Qld) and UK – Kylie Bade-Peters (QLD) Cynthia Kuiper (NSW) 2001 World Championships, Philadelphia, 2010 Asian Championships, Wujin, China USA – Barry Young (QLD) - Michael Fogliani (ACT); Vice Captains: 2003 World Championships, Poznan, Richard Balkin (Vic) and Michelle Chim Poland – Melanie Cantwell (NSW) (NSW) 2004 World Championships, Shanghai , 2011 World Championships, Tampa Bay, China – Linda Ng (NSW) USA - Michael Fogliani (ACT); Vice Captain: Janelle Gamble (Qld) 2004 Asian Championships, Mian Yang, China – Janine Lette (QLD) 2012 Asian Championships, Busan, South Korea – Claire Hosegood (NSW); 2005 World Championships, Berlin, Vice Captains: Bryan Buttery (SA) Germany - Chris Moran (NSW) and and Georgina Wakim (Vic) Amanda Wyllie (NSW) 2013 World Championships, Szeged, 2006 Asian Championships, Macau, SAR Hungary – Frank Calcara (NSW) China - Jenny Petterson (NSW) Georgina Wakim (Vic) 2007 World Championships, Sydney, 2014 Asian Championships, Macau, SAR Australia - Ian Peters (Qld) China – Georgina Wakim (Vic) 2008 Asian Championships, Penang, Marcio Martins (NSW) Malaysia - Steven Davidson (NSW) 2014 Inaugural World Cup, Fuzhou, China 2009 World Championships, Prague, Czech - Georgina Wakim (Vic) Marcio Martins Republic - Roula Bland (Qld) (NSW) 2010 Asian Championships, Wujin, China - 2015 World Championships, Welland, Geoff Eldridge (NSW) Canada – To be announced 2011 World Championships, Tampa Bay, USA - Diana Dent (NSW)
8 Since 1909
Chung Wah Association
Through promoting HARMONY, preserving our HERITAGE and practising HUMANITY, we serve as the bridge between the Chinese community and mainstream society.
凝聚融合 • 文化传承 • 人道关怀
Chung Wah Association 128 James Street NORTHBRIDGE WA 6003 Phone: (08) 9328 8657 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.chungwah.org.au
9
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More information at biggerpicture.dsr.wa.gov.au/about Follow us on Twitter Our whole @dsrwa community wins 10 State by State
11 Australian Capital Territory State team
It is with great strength and determination that ACT Fire takes to the waters of Western Australia this year. With teams in the Junior, Under 24’s, Premier, Senior B and Senior C divisions, the best our territory has to offer will be taking on paddlers from around Australia. A new chapter in the history of ACT Fire has begun. New selection, training regimes and most importantly mind set has our paddlers stronger and more focussed than ever before. Looking forward to the competition? We sure are! ACT Fire - Pride, Passion and Performance
12 Flag bearer
COURTNEY JONAS Courtney began dragon boating when she was in her teens. A skilled gymnast, her strength and suppleness enabled her assimilation into the new sport and she quickly became an exceptional paddler. Courtney’s ability was recognised and she was soon chosen for the Auroras squad, first competing in Tampa. Since that time she has represented Australia every year, first as a junior and now in the Under 24’s category. More than a skilled paddler Courtney has actively sought additional responsibilities and is a qualified sweep and coach. This year she nominated and won the position as ACT Fire Under 24’s coach. Her commitment to the sport and her team has been impressive. She knows her paddlers and is focussed on the best outcome for her team. We are very proud to have a young person with such dedication and promise representing the ACT Dragon Boating community.
13 New South Wales State team
The 2014/15 NSW campaign saw an unprecedented number of paddlers, across all divisions, trialling for state selection. Coaches were extremely pleased with this initial response and are now more than satisfied with the final squad, which consists of 394 paddlers: Juniors (67); U24 (28); Premiers (81); Senior A (66); Senior B (58); Senior C (49) and Regional (45) . Premiers and all Senior teams used the ‘mini-camp’ style for selection and training and have been pleased with this format. Paddlers underwent fitness testing and single craft water trials and whilst this structure is competitive, paddlers provide support and motivation for each other and the final teams bond well. All teams include paddlers from regional areas. The mini-camp style of training has been a more manageable, yet equally effective regime for these team members, and training sessions have been focused and intense. DBNSW is proud to be sending this very competent squad to WA and thank all paddlers, coaches and managers for their enthusiasm and commitment. We wish our ‘sea of blue’ and all paddlers across Australia, the best of luck across the five days of competition at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships.
14 Flag bearer
Diane Dugar Diane Dugar is a member of Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club, a club she joined after paddling with her hospital team St Vincent’s in a corporate regatta. Diane’s daughter also paddles for the Sydney Zodiacs after trying dragon boating with her schools for sport. There is one word which comes to mind when describing Diane and that’s ‘legend’. Diane’s energy and enthusiasm is endless. She is hardworking, efficient, organised, dependable and no matter what the task always has a bubbly smile on her smile. Diane is one of those people you wish you could clone, she is powerhouse when it comes to working her way through the ‘to do list’. Diane is well respected by her paddling colleagues and manages the Senior B and Senior C State Teams with ease. In addition Diane this year has been appointed as one of the Aurora’s Team Managers. It just goes to show you don’t need to be an elite paddler to be recognised in dragon boating, it’s fantastic to be able to recognise and reward the commitment that Diane has shown since starting dragon boating.
15 Queensland State team
Dragon Boat Queensland is made up of 35 clubs across the sunny state. Our team for 2015 consists of Juniors, Premier, Senior A, Senior B, Senior C paddlers and while this State team is not as large as those of previous years, DBQ acknowledges the commitment each paddler has shown in participating at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships in Perth. We wish them the best of luck, every success and hope they enjoy the team spirit of dragon boating and are very hopeful they’ll bring home the bling!
16 Flag bearer
Maggie Boyce Maggie is a 2006 Foundation member of Manly Dragon Boat Club, initially serving in role of Treasurer and Governance for the first two years, then moved into a coaching role. Maggie has been a QDBF Board member in 2010 and 2011, in the role of Events and Equipment Director including managing the 2010 and 2011 Queensland State Championships. In 2013 Maggie was elected to AusDBF as Administration Director until 2014 and then transferred to position of AusDBF Development Director. Maggie was the Head Coach at Manly from 2008 – 2013 and was successful in building Manly from a fledgling club to World Champions within five years, culminating in a highly successful 2012 CCWC campaign in Hong Kong . Maggie has also co-coached the Brisbane River Dragons squad competing at 2014 CCWC Ravenna, Italy. This squad was a small crew with big hearts and were rewarded with several gold, silver and bronze medals. Maggie has paddled in three successive CCWC campaigns - 2010 Macau, 2012 Hong Kong, 2014 Ravenna. Maggie was the Australian Aurora’s Senior C Coach in Szeged Hungary and won the title World Champions Senior C Division. Maggie has also been appointed Australian Aurora’s Senior C Coach 2015 for Welland Canada. Maggie is looking forward to the challenge. Maggie has participated in Australian Championships every year 2008 – 2015 as either a paddler or coach. In recent years Maggie has, with the assistance of her husband Ross, developed the Senior C Racing Division both in Qld and Australia. Her aim is to create a platform for our super fit, dedicated and gifted athletes to continue their competitive paddling lives. These opportunities deliver massive rewards and purpose into the lives of many senior athletes…this has been an immense source of joy for me.
17 South Australia State team
DragonBoat SA’s 2015 State squad consists of 110 representatives from seven local and three Regional Clubs. For the first time in many years SA will compete in Premier, Senior A,B and C and Regional divisions, with the majority of paddlers competing in their age categories. This is due mainly to the introduction of 10s racing in State v State. Under State Coaches, Dennis Wright, Bryan Buttery, Cheryl Watson and Chris Wood we have a terrific contingent of dedicated and enthusiastic people who aspire to making their participation at this event a positive experience and our SA pride will ensure we give it our best shot. Previous campaigns spanning 15 years have given rise to continued success and recognition. We are all looking forward to making new friends and reacquainting with old buddies and look forward once more to seeing you all on the water. Good paddling to all crews. “Fierce, Fast and Furious”
18 Flag bearer
John Holland John has been a member of the Adelaide Sea Dragons for 16 years, President for 3 years and Head Coach for the past 8 years. John has also been a Committee member since 2002 and President of DBSA for 11 years, working tirelessly to build and promote dragon boat racing in South Australia. In the last 12 months he has actively promoted the sport in Kangaroo Island, Naracoorte and Murray Bridge. He has competed in: • All National Championships, competing with the South Australian State Team and Adelaide Sea Dragons since 2000. • All World Club Crew Championship since 2003. • Represented Australia in China (2004). • Represented the Australian Auroras in Hungary (2013) – winning four Gold and one Silver medal.
19 Tasmania State team
This year will mark Tasmania’s sixth appearance at the National Championships. Our state team is drawn from a very small base of sporting paddlers and therefore is restricted to fielding one team across two and sometimes three age groups. Despite fewer paddlers being available to make the trip to WA this year, our enthusiasm still runs high and the Tassie team looks forward to racing in the small boat categories. Our spirit is buoyed by the pride we have in our five 2015 Aurora team members, Ali Mourant and Ange and Martin Turner in the Senior B category, and Jen Willing and Jan Breen in the Senior C category. They are a great inspiration to us all. Good luck to all crews and we look forward to racing at Champion Lakes with all the fun, friendship, excitement that we have previously experienced at the AusDBF National Championships.
20 Flag bearer
Andrew Lovibond Andrew has nurtured a life-long passion for watersports. After years of swimming, kayaking, sailing, diving and waterskiing, he is now focused on dragon boating and rowing. He wears two hats - the green and black of the Derwent Storms Dragon Boat Club and the two blues of the Lindisfarne Rowing Club - and they sit well with him. Andrew helped establish Tasmania’s first dragon boaters, Dragons Abreast Tasmania- Hobart, at the rowing club. He persuaded the traditionalist oarsmen and women to accept the state’s paddling pioneers not only as members but to house their boats as well. It was a fine balancing act for the rowing club president to row on the Derwent with the rec- vets eight and to sweep the DATH dragon boat. Still retaining his president’s mantle, Andrew made the switch from competitive rowing to dragon boating with the Derwent Storms Club in 2010. He has represented “the Stormers” and Tasmania at two masters games and five national championships. Given his boating experience on Tasmanian waterways, Andrew’s advice on local weather, water conditions and safety are called upon frequently, especially for regattas and Tasmania’s famous long-distance “Bridges” events. Andrew is a great supporter of and ambassador for dragon boating. He is very handy around working bees, organises and runs fundraisers (themed quiz nights are a speciality), is always quick with a joke and he even looks great in a frock (fancy dress of course)!
21 Victoria State team
The Victorian State Team is continuing to build in numbers and strength. We are very excited to bring our first ever Youth team to compete at AusChamps this year. Our Premier mixed crew come in defending their national title from Caloundra in 2015 and have been training hard to do so. They have also been nominated as the Victorian Team of the Year at the Vicsport Victorian Sport Awards. Our Senior A and Senior C teams are also out to hunt down medals, having participated in training camps across the season to polish their race plans. We look forward to getting out on the course and racing against Australia’s best paddlers!
22 Flag bearer
Mike Beazley Mike is an incredibly strong advocate for dragon boat racing at all levels. He is a founding member of the Brave Hearts on the Murray, one of Victoria’s largest clubs. Mike embodies everything that his club stands for, good sportsmanship, development of a supportive and positive culture and providing opportunities and pathways for regional paddlers. Mike has been instrumental in building a collaborative culture between Victorian clubs across metropolitan and regional locations. He has taken on the role of Victoria Regional State Coach for this year and is a key supporter of Victoria’s Junior Development program launched this year. We are delighted that Mike has accepted our offer to carry the Victorian Flag and are very proud to put forward somebody of Mike’s calibre.
23 Western Australia State team
The DBWA State teams consist of members from all WA dragon boat clubs and includes representation from both metropolitan and regional areas. Some of the members travel up to over four hours each way to attend state training. Now that’s commitment. This year junior members from regional areas have also been selected for state teams. The experiences of regional paddlers at the state level provide exposure of dragon boating to developing and potential regional clubs especially for junior members. Under DBWA State Coaches: Juniors – Wade Spackman, U24s – Wade Spackman, Premiers – Shane Stone, Senior A – Kristin Priest, Senior B – John Beinke, and Senior C – Margaret Little. Our group of spirited paddlers from all ages will represent Western Australia in the Junior, U24, Premiers, Senior A, Senior B, and Senior C divisions in standard and small boat crews. Juniors / Youth / Premiers - The Future of Australian Dragon Boating. Masters - The Heart and Soul of Australian Dragon Boating.
24 Flag bearer
John Beinke DBWA flag bearer John Beinke commenced his paddling adventure in 2006 with Cockburn Dragon Boat Club. In 2008 he competed in the World Club Crew Championships in Penang. On returning from Penang he relocated to Champion Lakes to build a club there from scratch. Lakers paddling club has been under John’s guidance since then and has developed into one of DBWAs premier clubs. While developing the Lakers club John also ran schools programmes at Champion Lakes. In 2010 John also competed at the World Club Crew Championship in China. John is an accredited sweep, a level one coach and has represented DBWA at the AusDBF Australian Championships on several occasions. John has contributed many hours of voluntary work in the development of the sport in WA. The pinnacle of John’s Dragon Boat adventure was his selection to the Senior C Auroras squad that will be competing in Welland, Canada during August 2015
25 Dragons Abreast Flag bearer
Sandy Jansen I have been a member of Dragons Abreast Port Lincoln for seven years, the last five as a survivor. DAPL has 65 members, made up of 25 survivors and the rest supporters. I am a widow with one married son, and a “newbie” grandmother to Sari, the joy of my life! I enjoy retirement (after 36 years teaching), and activities such as paddling, walking, caravanning and community involvement keep me busy. Ned, my Cavalier King Charles spaniel keeps me very active. I live in Louth Bay, a small town 24km from Port Lincoln on the west coast of South Australia, 660km from Adelaide by road or 45 mins by plane.
26 Northern Territory State team Our love of paddling is what brings us together and we are proud to show the rest of the country just what we’ve got. Fiercely competitive and strong as aways DBNT love competition. Once again this year the Northern Territory is privileged to field a Premiers State team represented by a mix of experience and ages. The team have been putting in some big training sessions both on and off the water in very hot humid and at times wet conditions these past few months and are looking forward to competing at Champion Lakes in Perth. We look forward to catching up with old friends and rivals for some great competition. Dragon Boat Northern Territory Fierce, Strong, Competitive.
27 AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST MULTI-SPORT FESTIVAL DRAGON BOAT
OPEN, WOMEN’S, SOCIAL, CORPORATE & MIXED EVENTS COMPETITION DATES: 9-10 October 2015 ENTRIES OPEN: March 2015 VENUE: Torrens Lake, adjacent to Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide AGE GROUPS: Future Masters: 27-39 / Senior A Masters: 40+ / Senior B Grand Masters: 50+ Senior C Great Grand Dragons: 60+ / Breast Cancer Survivors: 27+ REGISTER NOW A USTRALIANM ASTERSG AMES. COM
28 Club team profiles
29 ACCA Adelaide Phoenix We’ve run with the bulls and crossed swords In keeping with the ancient Chinese with Tsars. We are jesters by trade and origin and tradition of dragon boating, rebels in disguise. We charm snakes, sharks, Adelaide Phoenix Dragon Boat Club based and are well-acquainted with beavers. its foundations on the symbolism of the Chinese mythical firebird Fenghuang. Just Fluent in four languages: English, profanity, like the Phoenix, our club is bestowed with sarcasm and hashtags, we consume only the qualities of commitment, loyalty and bacon-based products to help rid the strength. world of obesity. We have impromptu rap battles with Tibetan monks to build our At the 2013-2014 National Champs on the street cred. We are famous for making Sunshine coast, we won a very satisfying communists laugh. Bronze medal in the Women’s 10’s 200m final. The first medal at a National level for Our physical strength knows no bounds: our amazing women’s team! we’ve scaled the Empire State Building, climbed Kilimanjaro and mapped the Qualifying in both the Premier Mixed 10’s Sahara Desert. We once swam the Pacific and Premier Women’s 10’s categories at Ocean to test our endurance and ability. the Australian Championships, Adelaide (It took us three days.) We use our spare Phoenix competed at the World Club Crew time constructing suspension bridges in our Championships in Ravenna Italy in 2014. backyards, using only paper clips, ribbon Hard work, grit and determination from our and bubblegum. After, we disassemble them paddlers and coaches have resulted in an with our teeth. amazing triumph especially since Adelaide We listen to Lionel Richie to better Phoenix have only been around for a mere understand the act of self-flagellation. 6 years. Our roots penetrate deep in to society’s Look forward to meeting you on our home crevices teaching animal taxidermists soil in 2016 at the CCWC in Adelaide 2016. societal norms like reading, crochet and scissoring. We like to give back. Once we solved the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. Greatness wasn’t thrust upon us, we thrust with greatness. #doweevenpaddle
30 Adelaide Sea Dragons Amazons Perth We are a proud and inclusive Club, Amazons Perth Dragon Boat Club was aspiring to continued local, national and founded in 2000. We are a member international success in a friendly and group of BCNA (Breast Cancer Network enjoyable environment. Australia) and cater for breast cancer survivors and supporters through dragon Our members come from 3 regions in South boat paddling. Amazons are also members Australia – Adelaide, Ceduna and Streaky of the International Breast Cancer Bay (and the distance between Adelaide Paddlers’ Commission and compete every and Ceduna is about 800kms). Despite four years in places such as Peterborough the geographic diversity we are a united Canada and more recently, Sarasota in club and regularly prove that distance is no Florida. barrier to success. Our name Amazon comes from ancient We are competitive in all categories and origins, but brings to mind the mythical compete in Open, Women’s and Mixed Amazon Warrior women who had a breast divisions. Having been established for removed to allow greater accuracy when over 29 years ASD is one of the founding shooting arrows. They were protective Clubs of the South Australian Association – and loyal to each other and even when DragonBoat SA. wounded would continue to battle on and Our credo of “Train Hard – Win Easy” has never leave anyone behind. That’s how seen us enjoy considerable success at all our team operates. We care for each other levels. We have competed in CCWC in Cape and show that there is life after a breast Town, Toronto, Penang, Macau, Hong Kong cancer diagnosis. We have fun, and enjoy and Ravenna and we are the record holders the challenge, camaraderie and exercise for the 200km and 100km Murray River component of paddling regardless of age Paddling Marathon in the Dragon Boat class. or ability. After our first attempt in Cape Town at the CCWC we have medalled in each subsequent event, winning Gold in Hong Kong for Senior B Women 500m and have been the most successful Club in South Australia for the past seven years.
31 Arafura Dragons Paddlers Club Bei Loon The Arafura Dragons Paddlers Club (ADPC) Bei Loon is one of the larger Clubs in NSW was formed in 2000 and has rich history and paddles on beautiful Pittwater, on in the establishment and development of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Dragon Boating in the Northern Territory. Whilst we wish to maintain our Based in Darwin, the Club is active all year outstanding competitive record, we round and trains at Cullen Bay Marina and strive to balance that objective with the on Darwin Harbour. Member ages range desire to provide an enjoyable, friendly from 14 to 65 and are from a diverse range environment where all paddlers feel proud of backgrounds and skills. to be members of the Bei Loon Dragon The Club split in 2013, which resulted in the Boat Club. formation of another club in the NT. The We are particularly pleased to have the Club has steadily rebuilt over the past 16 Pittwater Pinks, all Breast cancer Survivors, months and in 2015 the Club is returning to as an integral part of our Club. the National competition. We train hard, race hard and have a lot Through the expertise of our Coach Alan of fun doing it. Our 8km Challenge Race, Culbertson and the dedication of current which is open to all Clubs, is an annual membership, the Club has achieved the highlight largest representation from the NT in the Australian Auroras Team for 2015 World Championships in Canada. Six Club members have been selected in the categories of Sweep, U16, Premier, Senior B (x2) and Senior C. This continues ADPC proud representative history in the Australian national team.
32 Black Dragons Brave Hearts DBC This is Black Dragons eighth Australian Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club was Championship campaign, beginning in established in 2005 for those who had a 2008 in Western Australia where the crew cancer diagnosis and their families, friends took home three inspiring bronze medals and supporters. Brave Hearts Dragon Boat and now we are back where it all started. Club’s original cancer survivor members took on a project in partnership with TAFE Since then, Black Dragons have gone NSW and built our first dragon boat. This from strength to strength, winning the project helped those who had a cancer club’s first Australian Championship diagnosis to re-build their physical and gold in Adelaide 2010, and repeating the mental strength. performances in 2011 and 2012. Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club is situated Each year, the club continues to grow, in Albury-Wodonga and nowhas core and the 2011-12 South Australian (State) membership of 60 paddlers consisting of Championships were no exception. It was cancer survivors but also many paddlers the most successful championships for who support our cause. We are very Black Dragons, seizing 23 medals out of competitive paddlers, competing in dragon the 24 events that the club entered! boat events in Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, In 2012, Black Dragons also competed Falls Creek and Wagga Wagga. The Brave in two international events: Penang’s Hearts Dragon Boat Club has competed International Dragon Boat Festival and in the Australian Championships in 2012 the largest-ever IDBF Club Crew World and 2013 and many club paddlers have Championships in Hong Kong, with around represented teams in Victorian State and 4,700 athletes from 180 of the world’s best International events. clubs from 25 countries. Black Dragons We have recently held our 7th Annual exceeded expectations with a hard-earned Regatta over a weekend with Saturday silver medal in Penang and an exciting dedicated to community teams racing World Championship bronze in Hong Kong! and Sunday for sporting teams. We also For more information, including the clubs “pleasure cruise” every Sunday afternoon history and achievements, check out the for beginners or those who just want to Black Dragons website: take it easy. www.blackdragons.org.au
33 Brisbane River Dragons Burleigh Fire Dragons Brisbane River Dragons (BRD) is the oldest Hello, from the “Burleigh Girlies” on the dragon boat club in Brisbane. We offer Gold Coast Eastern Seaboard. Burleigh Fire competitive and social paddling. We train Dragons are excited about competing with and compete throughout the year, with other Senior C Women on the Western training sessions tailored for all levels of waterways. paddlers. We also hold corporate events We are a small, dedicated team and what throughout each year to expose as many we lack in numbers we make up with an new people to the sport as possible. abundance of courage and determination BRD offers members the opportunity to for dragon boating competition. Good luck train and race in Outrigger canoes, with to all. paddlers competing at local, national and international events. A vital arm of BRD, is the DAA team, Missabittatiti. This part of the club is made up of breast cancer survivors who, along with the whole Dragons Abreast movement, demonstrate that people can live full, active and satisfying lives after a diagnosis of breast cancer. BRD has a proud history of competing at State, National and Club Crew World Championships. BRD are the current Masters champions from AusChamps in 2013 and 2014, and won the Club Champions Trophy in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. BRD also supplied a significant number of members paddling for the Auroras at the World Championships held in Hungary in 2013. Through the waters to friendship.
34 Canberra combined Grammar Central Coast Founded in the early 90’s, students in the The Central Coast Dragon Boat Club Combined Canberra Grammar Schools consists of the very competitive “Sea squad have trained three times a week on Dragons” and its sister team, the Dragons Lake Burley Griffin. Abreast “Coastbusters”. Early in the season (Term Four) it is not Only 12 years young we have achieved a unusual to have crisp weather and mist lot in a short time. Being awarded “NSW hovering above the surface of the water. In Club of the Year” in 2009 was one of our the years when they have been preparing memorable achievements. to compete internationally, such as in With a passionate and dedicated coach, a Prague (2009) and Hong Kong (2012), crew with an enthusiastic approach and a winter training sessions were often in sub never say die attitude, has seen our hard zero temperatures. work and commitment rewarded, achieving Highlights would include the performance strong results in both State and National in Hong Kong where, due to an anomaly Titles over the past 4 years. of the scoring system, the Combined The 2014 season resulted in us taking a Grammar Club won more medals than any clean sweep of Gold in the Master Open, other Club and the Australian Flag boasted Women’s and Mixed and Silver in the the top position! Grand Masters events at State level. In recent ACT Championships the Grammar We qualified for the 9th Club Crew World crews competed impressively against the Championships with an impressive result at local adult clubs. the 2013 Nationals in Penrith in the Senior A category taking a Gold and three Bronze Medals, followed by an equally impressive three Silver Medals in the Senior A at the 2014 Nationals campaign in Caloundra thus cementing our invitation to participate in the 9th Club Crew World Championships held in Ravenna, Italy.
35 City Dragons Cockburn DBC (Cockburn pronounced ‘KOH-burn’) City Dragons was founded in 2003. What started out as 20 paddlers, is now Racing as the ‘Blades’, the Cockburn a successful, fun and exciting club with Dragon Boat Club has had a history that over 60+ members including an elected spans back to 1985. Its original members committee and dedicated coaching staff. were Cockburn City Council staff and locals from Cockburn, which is where the club City Dragons is a dragon boat team derived its name. As membership grew, the that thrives on the pursuit of excellence, crew moved to the East Fremantle Yacht achieved through tenacity, passion, Club premises, where it is still based today, camaraderi and spirit. Our club hopes to on the banks of the Swan River. continue to grow and develop our sport and most importantly individuals within In its 30 year history, the club has our organisation. contributed to the foundation of the sport by developing paddlers who then moved Our women’s team won bronze in the into other clubs in the West Australian women’s 500m NSW State Titles and then dragon boating community, including stepped up again to win bronze in the representation in the ‘Auroras’, Australia’s women’s 200m event at the Australian National Dragon Boat team. Cockburn National Titles in 2014. Dragon Boat Club has successfully We hold the Open’s 500m NSW State competed at club, state and national levels Titles for 2012, 2013, 2014’and hold the with a number of wins and medals to its Opens 500m Australian National Titles for name. This year will be the club’s 29th 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and runners Nationals Championship and the team up in 2013. are looking forward to paddling on our home turf, competing against the best in We have qualified and represented our Australia, catching up with friends from Club and Country at the World Club different states and perhaps, taking a Crew Championships in 2008 (Penang), medal home. 2010 (Macau), 2012 (Hong Kong) and 2014 (Italy)’,finally winning bronze in the Opens 200m at the World Club Crew Championships in 2014.
36 Coomera Dragons Currumbin Dragons Coomera Dragons provides a great fun Paddling Club family environment, encouraging all to Currumbin Dragons from the vibrant Gold paddle together (children, parents and Coast have flown their flag at all National grandparents). Championships except WA (2004 and We promote and encourage wider 2008) since they joined the QLD Dragon community participation and our club Boat Federation in November 1999. continues to enjoy strong growth across all Although their numbers representing the age groups. club are small this year they are big on We are inspired by our club’s success at enthusiasm and laughs, not to mention the regattas and members who represent obvious odd glass or three!!! Contesting in Queensland (Juniors, Premiers and Masters) large and small boats in Senior Women’s and the Australian Auroras (Juniors) A and B events is their main challenge but with dogged determination they hope PADDLERS....ARE YOU READY... to cross the line to earn a place here and ATTENTION...GO!!! there. They are also looking forward to visiting the fair city of Perth and other exotic places beyond. Let’s do it!!!.
37 CYL Danebank CYL Dragon Boat club (CYLDB) is a We started dragon boating in 2010 with sub-group of the Chinese Youth League a crew of 22 girls who competed at the of Australia Inc. CYL are a non-profit Chinese New Year’s Festival in Darling community organisation based in Sydney, Harbour. We had a great time there and Australia. literally got the bug for dragon boating. Dragon boat racing is a team sport Since then, more girls in the school have that people of all ages can participate gotten the bug and we have grown into a in. CYLDB provides members with the sporting force. Our paddlers range in ages opportunity to represent the sport on from 12 to 18 years. local, state and international scales. CYLDB After our time at Darling Harbour, we’ve has been competing in dragon boat since had some amazing highs. In 2012 we the first race meet in 1984. In 2014 CYLDB were invited to compete at Nationals qualified and competed in the World Club where we achieved Bronze in the National Crew Championships in Italy. Since 1984 Championships as the NSW B team and the club has grown and developed to Silver as the Danebank Club team. become a crew that provides a social yet competitive team environment. But we’re not just about the wins. We’re about the journey. The girls have formed Facebook: Chinese Youth League Dragon great friendships across the Year groups, Boat (CYL Dragon Boat) shared crazy, intense training sessions, given support to each another and enjoyed one another’s company. They’ve been proud of each other’s dedication. We’ve also enjoyed fantastic support from our school and our parents. Being invited to compete overseas has been the best buzz to date. We qualified and were invited to compete overseas in the World Crew Championships in Hong Kong, 2012. Go Danebank!!!
38 Darwin Waterfront Warriors DA Sydney Darwin’s newest and largest team is Dragons Abreast Sydney (“DASydney”), heading to the Perth Nationals after an a member of Dragons Abreast Australia, inspirational first year of racing. is a unique dragon boat club. Specifically established as a club for breast cancer Darwin Waterfront Warriors Club is built survivors and their supporters, our on innovation inspiration and cutting edge membership gives a “face” to breast training. We are pleased to announce that cancer statistics. our teams of Premier, Senior females and males are all ready to “Release The Beast” Regardless of age, gender, sporting ability in true Warrior style. or fitness DASydney paddlers demonstrate that people can still lead a full and active Our members are coming off a hot and life despite breast cancer. As a group humid wet season training program, sharing a common experience we are interrupted by cyclones, electrical storms determined to enjoy life and have fun while and big crocs but nothing can hold us back doing what we can to stay as healthy as not even our politicians! possible. Looking forward to some great racing and DASydney prides itself on its inclusiveness catching up with everyone at Champion and caters for all categories of paddler Lakes in April. from those who enjoy a “social” paddle “Release, Release, Release the Beast” once a week to keen sporting paddlers - and all levels in between! For those whose goal is to compete in the sporting category as representatives at club, state and national levels, our club offers training and support to help you meet your goals. To find out more about Dragons Abreast Sydney email [email protected]
39 Derwent Storms DBC Diamond Phoenix The selection of five Derwent Storms Encouraging women in sport: happier, paddlers in the Auroras squad for the 2015 healthier, fitter! World Championships in Canada has lifted Diamond Phoenix is an all-female club based the bar for this small but focused club. With on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, ACT. Our dragon boating still gaining momentum in squad is made up of women of all ages and Tasmania, international representation is all fitness levels. a huge achievement and testament to the high-level coaching and training regimes in We’re an inclusive club and welcome this state. newcomers throughout the season who want to get fit, get wet and get their paddle Despite its isolation from regular, high –level on. The focus of the team is empowerment competition, Derwent Storms constantly and friendship, while continually striving for builds on technique, fitness and emerging improvement. strengths. The club relishes any opportunity to compete at national level and welcomes DPs treat competition seriously, but also interstate paddlers visiting Tasmania to join know how to have some serious fun. them at Lindisfarne Bay. We have regular social events as well as participating in rides, swims, and runs as a Constantly on the lookout to assist the State group. body to grow the sport in Tasmania, Derwent Storms readily offers its expertise to help We race at all local Canberra regattas, as well stage major events including corporate and as interstate and overseas. This season we local regattas and is looking forward to once competed in Nowra, Orange, Wagga Wagga again assisting with the hosting of the Four and Jindabyne, and we’re sending a crew to Bridges “almost a Marathon” paddle in 2016 the Australian Master Games in October. on the River Derwent. The club was founded in 2006 and this is Crews have been training hard, not just our ninth Australian Championships. We’re for the Nationals but also to assist the hoping to equal or better our best results to Aurora paddlers with their training for date: third in the masters 500m women’s 10s Canada. Although it is a smaller contingent category at the 2011 AusChamps. attending Nationals this year, our enthusiasm is high and we are hoping to better our performances at National level in Perth.
40 Different Strokes Dragon Flyers Different Strokes is a Sydney-based club From modest beginnings in 2003, the that was formed in 2008, with the aim Dragon Flyers have steadily grown to be of providing a social and fitness-focused one of the largest and most successful sporting outlet for the gay and lesbian dragon boat clubs in the ACT. Our paddling community, as well as their friends, family credentials include Australian Auroras and supporters. representatives, as well as paddlers, coaches and sweeps that have competed After seven years of continuous at state, national and international level. improvement, we are positioning ourselves as more than just a social As Masters specialists outside the ACT, club. Our race crews have continued to we’re excited again to line up with raise the bar at regattas, with wins and Australia’s best at the AusDBF National placings in finals, as well as member Championships in Perth. This year we’re representation at both the state and competing as small boat crews in Senior B Australian level. and Senior C divisions. We’re experienced Nationals campaigners and we’re aiming Our club’s strongest asset is our team spirit. for podium finishes, paving the way for We paddle with a collective determination more competition at the 2016 CCWC in to challenge stereotypes with our Adelaide. successes, showcase diversity by increasing our visibility, and spark positive change It’s the Flyers’ first tour to the sunny West through our actions. and we can’t wait to be a part of the paddling action at Champion Lakes in 2015. Read more about the Dragon Flyers at www.dragonflyers.net.au Paddle masters, paddle Dragon Flyers!
41 Dragon Masters DSA Dragon Masters was formed in 2006 This season DSA has been focusing on and currently has around 50 members. growing our junior and youth squad. We have the privilege of training all year Whilst we do not yet have the numbers round in the wonderful waters of Victoria for a complete crew, the injection of Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne. Our age young energy in our club has been warmly demographic is primarily 40+ but we welcomed. encourage paddlers of all ages to come Every year DSA is proud to produce quality and join us. While we are only a small club paddlers who are selected for State and we aim to be competitive and take on all National representative teams. This year comers during the Victorian regatta season. has been no exception with 6 members We also enjoy the social aspects and travel selected for the Auroras squad. Of these, opportunities that dragon boating brings 3 are junior paddlers. We also have 12 having had over twenty of our members members selected for the NSW State compete in a composite team in Malaysia squad, 5 of which are junior paddlers. last year. We are also fortunate to have 7 Fantastic numbers for our little club, and of our current members who are or have even more so to see our younger paddlers been members of Aurora campaigns. We step up and develop into avid athletes in look forward to seeing you all at the 2015 this sport. Australian Championship at Champions Lakes Race Course in Perth. To find out Although our club squad for the 2015 more about Dragon Masters visit our web Nationals may be a smaller contingent to site. previous years, we continue to carry the same level of competitive tenacity and strong camaraderie as one would expect to see across all participants in this sport. No doubt those who were not able to be with us in Perth this year will be cheering us on from across the country.
42 FFB Flying Dragons Who are we? We’re FFB! But what does Flying Dragons is a dragon boat team FFB stand for?... Former Fat Boys?... Fast made up of culturally diverse paddlers and Furious Boaters (no Tokyo Drift)? from Sydney and Narooma, who compete in various national and international races. To be honest, no one really knows. It The club was founded in 2010 by a group of has been over 15 years since the club 20 individuals with a desire for competition was founded by three dragon boat and a love for the sport. As a non-profit mates who decided to start their own organisation promoting the ideals of fitness, club in a pub after training (maybe the friendship, commitment and respect the location had something to do with no one club strives to sustain year after year. remembering!). Based out of Pyrmont, Since that time we have more than tripled Sydney, the club has actively competed in in members and competed in numerous Sydney’s annual dragon boat racing meets competitions both locally, nationally and and has raced overseas combining with overseas. other clubs from Australia, most recently in Wellington New Zealand with Bei loon. We hope to show how much fun the sport of dragon boating and its cultural Our club is a diverse mix of opens, masters background bring to those involved. and grand masters, men and women and we accept all who are prepared to give it a For more details about the club, training or go and work hard for the team. Each race any dragon boat related queries contact us we look to put all our energy and passion on facebook. to perform at our best, working as one unit. This year’s races, our aim is to make finals and paddle a perfect race (perfect technique and no mistakes)! “Take it Home FFB!”
43 Forza DBC Fremantle Swan DBC Forza DBC was formed in 1993 in Bunbury Fremantle Swan Dragon Boat Club WA and originally comprised of members (FSDBC) was established in 1981 and from the local Italian Club. is now in its 34th year of consecutive operation and is the oldest Dragon Boat “Forza” roughly translates to “force, power Club in Australia. In 1981 there were no and strength”. Our club motto is Fun, Dragon Boats available for training so we Fitness and Friendship. We are a small club had to use a surf boat with a Dragon’s that has a strong history of involvement Head mounted on the front to train in for in the dragon boating community of WA, the overseas competition in Hong Kong. nationally and internationally. The first junior club in Western Australia Forza’s two major achievements have (the Cygnets) was formed as a branch been when they won gold in Masters of FSDBC in 2008 and is still strong in Mixed at the 1995 National Championships membership and has provided many state and finished 6th at the World Invitational and Aurora paddlers. Championships in Singapore in 1996 where Forza were the only club side competing We are affiliated with the Swan Yacht Club in the Open division against national and located on the picturesque Swan River at state teams. East Fremantle. Forza has been very competitive at a State FSDBC caters for all types of paddlers no level placing in most categories that we matter whether they wish to paddle for enter in. The past three seasons has seen fitness, fun or be competitive at a club, Forza win 5 golds, 4 silvers and 6 bronze state, international, or as part of the AusDBF medals at the State Championships. Auroras Teams. 15 of the FSDBC paddlers have been selected as Auroras to compete Forza’s goals are to continue to improve at the 12th IDBF World Dragon Boat our performances, grow our membership Championships in Welland, Canada August and continue to promote the sport in the during 2015 in the categories of U16, U18, South West region of WA. Prems, Snr A, and Snr B.
44 Ice Dragons Indian Ocean DBC The Ice Dragons Paddle Club was formed Our club was founded in September 2012, in 2003 and was founded on the success by 18 paddlers who are passionate about of a social Canberra dragon boat team. In the sport of Dragon Boating in WA and 2012, Ice Dragons amalgamated with the who just enjoyed each other’s company. Canberra Outrigger Canoe Club (COCC). We restored an old fibreglass dragon boat The club has since grown to become one of left rotting in an orchard and hit the water Australia’s premier clubs with approximately in October. Our second boat had been 150 members. The club trains on Canberra’s used as a cow trough! Lake Burley Griffin throughout the year. The club is based at Gilbert Fraser Oval, In 2009 the club captured the Guinness North Fremantle, on the beautiful waters of World Record for the longest distance Fremantle, the gate to the Indian Ocean. paddled in a 24-hour period in a dragon Although a very young club, we have boat. We were the National Dragon Boat tasted success, crowned 2014 State Champions in 2011, and made our debut Champions in Premier Open 500m. on the international stage at the 2012 Club Crew Dragon Boat World Championships We are associated with the North in Hong Kong, coming home with a silver Fremantle Sports Association who medal. In 2013, our crew brought home the administer the North Fremantle Amateur bronze medal in the National Changeover Football Club (Est 1921). Outrigging Club Championships and Our motto “Fratres in Armis” - Brothers qualified for the 2014 Club Crew in Arms is the foundation of our club, “we Championships for dragon boating in paddle together and we die together”. Ravina, Italy. We are now recognised as the ACT Peak Body for outrigging and the only local club to offer both dragon boat and outrigger canoe racing opportunities. Many of our members also compete as members of the state and national teams. You can find more information about the Ice Dragons at www.icedragons.com.au.
45 Komodo Paddle Club Lake Jindabyne DBC Komodo Paddle Club rose from humble Lake Jindabyne Snow Dragons are beginnings as the ACT’s newest club in Australia’s highest dragon boat club, based 2010. We have continued to grow on on Lake Jindabyne at the foot of the NSW the back of a simple philosophy for our Snowy Mountains, at over 900 metres. members of finishing each season fitter, a We have a short season - November to better paddler and having a hell of a good May - and when we’re not paddling in the time along the way. winter, we go skiing! The club is 6 years Over a quiet beer (or two) recently, a old, and has nearly 40 members, of all member reflected on how much has ages and occupations. The highlight of our changed over the years: “When Komodo year is the Lake Jindabyne Flowing Festival started we had borrowed race tops, a in February, which attracts over 40 teams borrowed tent and a Coach who carried and a huge community fun weekend in the nothing but a whistle and a bottle of town. In 2010 the Festival was awarded rubbing alcohol, and by lunch on Day 1 at Snowy River Shire Council Australia Day our first Nationals, he’d drunk it.” Event of the Year, and keeps getting bigger and bigger. Komodo has prepared for the 2015 Nationals knowing respect for your fellow The Snow Dragons train three times a competitors means everything and history week, in a combination of race/punish means nothing. We have the same goal as and paddle/ social/ coffee, as we have every other Nationals: one podium finish, members who want to race and those who any category, any distance. want to just enjoy social paddling.
46 Manly DBC Marist Dragons Manly Dragon Boat Club is located on the Marist Dragons DBC are back this year shores of Moreton Bay, east of Brisbane. with a dazzling new look, but still the same We are located inside the grounds of the smiling faces! Emerging as a community- Wynnum Manly Yacht Club which forms part based club at the end of 2013, Marist has of the Manly Marina precinct. grown from the paddlers of the school team at Marist Sisters’ College to combine We have approximately 90 members, most with ex students, siblings, parents and of whom are competitive paddlers. Ages friends. Based in Hunters Hill, the club has range from 12 year old Juniors to Senior C’s continued to grow and develop in their in their 70’s. This year for the first time we membership and is constantly seeing new will compete at the Queensland Titles in all faces being introduced to the sport at age divisions from Junior to Senior C, the training sessions. only Queensland club to do so. Marist Dragons have predominantly junior In Perth we have 56 competitors across representation, however we are excited to five days of racing, in both club crew and anticipate that our premier and masters state competitions. Six of our members are category will be expanding in the years Auroras in the Welland campaign this year. to come and for the Marist community to We come to Perth to qualify for the 2016 keep growing! Not only do we have some CCWC in Adelaide. Our members travelled enthusiastic newbies, but our seasoned to Italy last year and loved the experience of paddlers are continuing to improve. We International competition. are proud to have 18 of our paddlers representing the NSW State team this We look forward to competing in Perth, and season. We are also VERY proud to see 15 catching up with old friends from around the Marist Dragons selected in the Australian country. Feel free to come by and say hello. If “Auroras” Team travelling to Canada later ever in Brisbane, come and have a paddle. this year. Good Luck to all competitors.
47 Mavericks Melbourne Flames The Mavericks Dragon Boat Club is a Located in the heart of The Docklands, Sydney based club that trains out of Bank with a backdrop of Etihad Stadium training St, Pyrmont near the Sydney fish markets. along the iconic Yarra you’ll find one of Mavericks Dragon Boat Club welcomes Melbourne’s longest established Dragon anyone who would like to learn to paddle. Boat Clubs, Melbourne Flames. Getting fit and meeting a great group of Coached by Serghei Cucsa, a former people are two of the fantastic bonuses of scientific advisor of the Soviet Union joining our Club. Canoeing Team and the current Head Our coaching team have more than 20 Coach of the Australian Dragon Boat Team, years’ combined experience with all we are a truly International Club with over the coaches having represented either seventy members ranging in age from their NSW, Australia or both at a national and late teens to over sixty. international level. Whether you’re a hard The evolution of Melbourne Flames has core sporting enthusiast or beginner resulted in Gold medal success at State, wanting to try something new, our National and International levels. Whilst coaching team will give you all the right we train every other day, regardless of tips and tricks to develop great dragon age, gender, or fitness levels we embrace boat technique. the philosophy all are welcome. The During the Summer season (competitive Club provides an opportunity to paddle season) from September through to April, competitively, socially, or for newcomers to the Mavericks train three times a week. “come along and try”. Our paddling season is scheduled with regular social gatherings, During the Winter dragon boating season Regional trips across Victoria including (off season) from May through to August, the Mile High Regatta held annually at the Mavericks train once a week. Falls Creek and local regattas on Victoria The Mavs motto is we paddle hard and like Harbour and the Yarra. to party harder! Once more we’re excited to be competing against the best at this year’s Australian Dragon Boat Championships held in Perth and catching up with many familiar faces as part of the Australian paddling community.
48 Naga Spirit DBC Nowra Waterdragons NAGA Spirit is one of Sydney’s first Dragon Nowra is located on the South Coast of Boat teams. Started in 1992 as the UNSW NSW, 2 hours from Sydney and is home Malaysian Students’ Organisation Dragon to the Nowra Waterdragons Dragonboat Boat Team (MSODB), the team initially and Outrigger Canoe Club Inc., where sought to foster friendships with newly recreational and competitive teams train arrived international students and help together on the beautiful Shoalhaven River. them adjust to life in Australia. The Club was established in 2006 and Naga Spirit today is very diverse club can boast a list of past achievements that catering to all cultures and age groups and include NSW Club of the Year 2012, NSW prides itself on the strong bond we hold State Champions, Australian National both on and off the water. The club has Champions and World Champions in Grand been in numerous finals at regattas and has Masters events. produced members who have represented The Shoalhaven River is also the natural in the NSW state squad as well as the habitat for the Club’s namesake, the Australian National squad. Australian Eastern Waterdragon which is This will be our 5th consecutive year described as ‘ colourful and capable of both of participation at the Australian grace and speed on the water’, that’s us... Championships and our largest contingent Nowra Waterdragons ‘ Little Club with a of paddlers at an interstate regatta. It is also Big Heart’. our first time paddling in WA. We have been paddling for over 20 years and with an ever evolving team our motto: “For Each Other” continues to bind us together with a strong sense of spirit and determination. We are dedicated to providing a fun yet challenging environment where paddlers can come together and be involved in the unique sport of Dragon Boating.
49 NSW Zodiacs Pacific Dragons NSW Zodiacs is a Junior and Youth The Pacific Dragons are a Dragon Boat exclusive team that encompasses young and Outrigger Canoe club based in Sydney members from all over our State. The team Harbour. The club was formed in 1993, was created to drive growth of our Junior and today has around 95 members who Category from metropolitan Sydney to our have achieved success at all levels of far borders in the north, south, and west. paddling. We are 21 years young and have enjoyed many years of paddling, parties, The NSW Zodiacs have a unique culture weekends away, overseas trips and great with most paddlers coming together only friendships. We pride ourselves on giving a few times each year to train, race, and our all in competition, supporting our have fun in the sport they love. Our vision fellow paddlers, our charities, the sports is to harness the energy of our young we participate in and our local community paddlers and provide a place where they and last, but not least we are committed to can develop personally and professionally having fun and enjoying our paddling! to become the premiers of tomorrow. In recent years the Pacific Dragons have enjoyed many exciting, challenging and rewarding paddling experiences - including racing in Italy, Hong Kong, Hawaii and the Cook Islands. We continue to seek out new paddling challenges in Australia and around the world. A highlight for the last season was to race at the 2014 Dragon Boat World Club Crew Championships in Italy where we were excited to race against the best clubs in the world. This season we are looking forward to travelling interstate for the Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoe Nationals and then to Hawaii to field crews over 3 different and exciting races.
50 Perth Pirates DBC Pittwater DBRC The Perth Pirates are a band of hard-core Pittwater Dragon Boat Racing Club athletes, easily-influenced newcomers and (PDBRC) is a small club boasting impish rogues. Oh, and we like to paddle too. approximately 40 members. We are now in our fourth season. Many of our current Plying the seas of Western Australia for members had paddled previously for other almost 20 years (well the rivers really, but clubs and we came together because of seas sounds far more romantic), the Perth our love of racing. At a State level the Pirates heartily embrace the concept of club has won the Masters Women’s Club paddle hard and play harder. Champions Trophy every year since its As nautical acquisition and redistribution inception. We are also very excited by the specialists, we’ve been known to kidnap fact that we will have a full men’s small mascots, cha-cha at Nationals after- boat crew in Perth, for the first time ever. parties, sing a bawdy song or three and The highlight of our short career has generally live down to the reputation of been competing at the World Club Crew Piratey—Piratey goodness. Our unofficial Championships in Ravenna, Italy in 2014. and unendorsed motto is “Set the bar low… We are located on the spectacular shores and limbo underneath” of Pittwater on the Northern Beaches of Our members have paddled at State and Sydney, so training is never a chore. All International levels and love to jump into club members are totally committed to competition with both feet firmly wrapped belonging to a dedicated racing club and in smelly paddling shoes. train accordingly however; we also manage to find time to enjoy ourselves, as a club, If you befriend a Perth Pirate, you have a off the water. mate for life, so make sure you track us down at the Nationals in Perth, give us an ARGHHHH and be prepared to share a rum or…four.
51 Port Hacking DBC SADA Port Hacking Dragon Boat Club was the SA Dragons Abreast Inc. (SADA) is based first Dragon Boat Club in NSW. It has in Adelaide and is one of thirteen dragon been operating since 1983 from Yowie boat clubs affiliated with Dragon Boat SA Bay on the beautiful Port Hacking River (DBSA). We train and compete on a salt in the Sutherland Shire,south of Sydney. water lake at West Lakes, the venue for the Port Hacking DBC has participated in 2016 Australian Nationals and World Club racing both nationally and internationally Crew Championships. over the last 32 years. Most recently, Port The club has forty eight female and male Hacking competed in the World Club paddlers, fifteen of whom are breast cancer Crew Championships in Ravenna, Italy last survivors. We compete in Senior categories September. in State competitions, Masters Games, Port Hacking Dragon Boat Club is a Australian National Championships and friendly Club with its members paddling World Club Crew Championships and have both socially and competitively. enjoyed success at all levels. SADA was founded in 2001, the first breast cancer (BC) team in Adelaide and also the first BC Australian team to participate competitively in dragon boating competitions. It was established to provide hope and inspiration for all breast cancer survivors, their families and supporters and prove that it is possible to have an adventurous , active, fun-filled life after cancer. The club aims to raise awareness of the disease through its membership and contribution to the Breast Cancer Network of Australia. Survivors, family members and friends support each other by paddling together.
52 Sandy Point Dragons Sloths DBC Sandy Point is a small suburb located in The Sloths are a sporting and social dragon Sydney’s south west, on the southern side boat club, founded by four university of Georges River, not far from Liverpool. students back in 1999. Today, the Sloths The Sandy Point Dragon Boat Club was are one of the largest and most successful created by the local close knit community dragon boat clubs representing New South as a sporting and fitness activity that Wales at the 2015 Australian National utilised the wonderful waterway on their Championships. doorstep. The club celebrated its 10 Year Under the skilful guidance of Chris “Zeus” Anniversary in February. The club caters Alexandrou, the Sloths offer paddlers for paddlers of all ages and abilities from the chance to compete at national and juniors to GGDs. The club has four boats international regattas, while also providing and uses the scenic Georges River as its the opportunity to make new friends, learn training ground. a new skill and have lots of fun. The Sloths have a rich history of nurturing talent to enable paddlers to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and in 2015 are again well represented at a national level, with a dozen Sloths paddlers chosen to represent Australia at the upcoming World 2 4 Championships to be held in Welland, Canada. In 2015, the Sloths are also well represented in the NSW State Crews across the under 24’s, Premier, Masters and Grand Masters divisions. At the 2015 Nationals, the Sloths are aiming to improve on last year’s results and to “Let the Fur Fly!”
53 Subsonix Sydney Tsunami Originally formed as a corporate (social Sydney Tsunami has been competing for level) team, the Subsonix Dragon Boat over 20 years. Based under the Anzac Club has been competing in State, Bridge we train Tuesdays Thursdays and National and International dragon boat Saturday mornings. Our motto is “Serious competition since 1990. The club has Fun” and we are very serious about our recorded numerous successes over the fun. It doesn’t matter what age you are or years, and has continuously fielded a where you come from you will be welcome strong team of paddlers from both sexes, in our team. Come for the fun, and then varying ages, differing cultures and diverse find out how serious you want to be. If you backgrounds. However, we also cater for are new in town, Sydney Tsunami will be those who want to just paddle socially for the fastest 50 friends you will ever make. fun and fitness, allowing people to enter And we are fast. the sport without necessarily needing the intense training required for the Sports level of competition. Our vision is to be a recognised as a club that encourages competition and active participation in dragon boating while having fun! This year, our club has recruited heavily and we will have a record number of members competing in the Dragon Boat Nationals in Perth, along with members who will represent South Australia in Premiers, Senior A and Senior B competitions.
54 Sydney Zodiacs Te Waka Dragons Sydney Zodiacs is the only dragon boating Te Waka Taniwha (Te Waka - the boat, club in NSW exclusively for young people Taniwha - dragon in Maori) was formed between the ages of 12 and 23 years. The in 2000 by a group of Kiwi ex-pats. Over club was established in 2013 and has been time, we renamed ourselves Te Waka growing steadily with over 50 members in Dragons in recognition of our growing from all over Sydney. diversity, while also staying true to our origin. We pride ourselves on paddling The club’s success can be measured across hard and fair, but always take time to have all categories in the NSW regattas, and its fun and enjoy spending time with our depth through strong representation in fellow paddlers. the NSW Under 18 and Under 24 crews, as well as the 2015 Australian representatives Training in the heart of Brisbane on travelling to Canada for the World the iconic and, at times, unpredictable Championships in August. Brisbane River we live and breathe the motto ‘No Excuses’ and are always Sydney Zodiacs are a fun, competitive, prepared to launch ourselves at whatever inclusive and committed group of Dragon challenges are laid before us. Boaters, keen to develop their skills as well as welcome new paddlers and grow We are the current reigning QLD the sport. The club also has a strong focus champions and have been for the past 2 on growth and development from within. years. Our club’s highest achievements We have a growing number of accredited to date are achieving gold, silver and 2 sweeps and an active strategy to develop bronze medals at the 2012 CCWC in Hong junior coaches from within our ranks. In Kong and more recently 2 silvers and a 2014, this was recognised by Sports NSW bronze at the 2014 CCWC in Ravenna, Italy. with one of our Junior Coaches, being While we are only taking a small crew to awarded the NSW Junior Coach of the Year. the 2015 Australian Championships we are If you are under 23 and find yourself in (as always) aiming high and look forward Sydney, please come and join us for a to battling it out with the best in Perth! session on the water!
55 The Lakers Warriors Albury Wodonga DBC The Lakers are a family team from The Warriors Albury Wodonga Dragon Champion Lakes in Perth. We are the only Boat Club was formed in Albury Wodonga, inland dragon boat team in W.A. We offer in September 2012 with a focus on being the community a wonderful opportunity to a competitive sporting club competing in experience a water sport many would not State and National regattas. otherwise be able to enjoy. The formation of the Warriors was due to The coach John Beinke has exposed most increased community teams competing at schools in the area to the sport through the annual Albury Wodonga Regatta. their school sport programs. In the short time Warriors have been We are a competitive team with open, competing we have been successful in women, and juniors. This is the team’s 6th having two of its paddlers make selection season. for the Auroras 2015 campaign to Canada. WELCOME TO OUR WATER We encourage and develop all aspects of Dragon Boat Racing for our members from paddling technique, physical fitness, sweeping, coaching and team work. We train on the water twice a week, over two hours per session and one evening dry land training for fitness. Our club motto: “we train to race and race to win”
56 Water Warriors Yarra River Dragons Water Warriors Dragon Boat Racing Team While we aim to be competitive, we like has been racing competitively since 1999 having fun while doing it. The Yarra River We are a tenacious and competitive group Dragons have really come into their own of people comprising of dedicated and this season and are looking forward to experienced paddlers. We have tasted entering AusChamps with Standard crews considerable success at different levels in every premier category for the first time of competition and because of this have ever! gained and maintained competitive respect locally and internationally. We look forward to competing and meeting fellow Dragon boaters at the Nationals in Perth. Please check our website for more information.
57 Notes
AusChamp Paddle Alliance “Champion” Dragon Boats Single seat: Training/Technique/Time Trials Five seat: Racing/Training Ten-Twenty seat: International Festival Boats Outrigger Canoes Single/Double/Four/Six seat canoes Kayak Single/Double, flat and white water kayak AusChamp wish to thank AusDBF and DBWA for the selection of ‘Champion’ Dragon Boats for use in the Australian Championships.
Blair Gamble P: +61 412 734 334 E: [email protected], Skype: blairbrd W: auschamp.com.au PO Box 53 Aspley, Brisbane, Australia 4034
58 ‘Through the waters to friendship’
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