Come and try the exciting water sport of dragon boating, this year of the wooden dragon! Bring your friends and enjoy a BBQ after your paddle!

What is Dragon Boating?

Dragon boating is an exciting, team water sport, which improves mental and physical health for paddlers of all ages and fitness levels. Modern day dragon boating is a truly competitive sport with teams competing up to world championship level.

Over 50 million paddlers participate annually in competitions across the globe, and Australia competes strongly on the international stage

Dragon boating has rich cultural origins, deeply embedded in China’s dragon culture. In Chinese culture, dragons are said to rule the rivers, the seas, the clouds, and the rain.

The Chinese dragon is said to have the head of a camel, 117 fish scales of the carp, deer horns, rabbit eyes, ears of a bull, the neck of a snake, stomach of a clam, paws of a tiger, and claws like an eagle.

The dragon symbolises power and excellence, courage and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity.

That's why when we race, each boat is dressed in an ornately carved dragon’s head at the bow and a tail at the stern. The boat is often painted with scales and the paddles represent the dragon’s claws.

Each boat is 12m long and can carry crews of up to 20 paddlers, plus a sweep (steerer) at end and a drummer, seated at the front. Paddlers must be a minimum age of 10 years old ( ideally 12 years old)

Visit our FB page to see Lakers in action.

On the day

What to bring: Water bottle, sunscreen and a positive attitude!

What to wear: Hat, Comfortable clothing (not too tight, not too loose). Long sleeves/ rash shirts are good sun protection. Shoes you can get wet (thongs or bare feet are also fine in the boat). Life jackets provided (and must be worn by junior paddlers)

What to expect: Coach Pani will start you off with a safety drill and technique session, followed by a light warm up. Lakers members will help you board the boat, and get ready to fall in love with dragon boating!

When you do fall in love with dragon boating, you can safely trial the sport for four consecutive weeks (28 days), free of charge, via Dragonpass

Dragon boating is also one of the most affordable sports for the whole family, with Lakers accepting QLD gov. Fair Play vouchers to help cover the costs of keeping fit and active.

Lakers believe that we are a stronger team when people feel respected and included. We are an all-inclusive, judgement-free team and commit to equity across race, gender, age, religion, ability and identity. Lakers value the unique strengths and experiences that contribute to our team.

Lakers acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we train, play and meet, Meanjin, and the waters on which we paddle, Maiwar, which gives life to our region. We pay respects to the first nations people of the Jagera and Turrbal tribes, elders, past, present and emerging.