Dragon boat racing is now a popular sport in the ACT. Photo: Dragon Boat ACT.
The Australian Dragon Boat team, known as the Auroras and named for the upcoming World titles, has within its ranks ACT paddlers, coaches and managers.
In the Australian team of 309 athletes, 22 coaches and managers, the ACT is contributing 32 representatives who come from the eight Canberra clubs operating out of the Grevillea Park facility on Lake Burley Griffin.
They are currently training intensely for the 17th Dragon Boat Racing World Championships in Germany which begin on 16 July.
With 4500 competitors from 34 countries, this will be the biggest World titles on record. Australia hopes to finish in the top five.
Australia’s journey into the elite dragon boating class has seen the sport emerge from a corporate bonding experience or a novelty into a high performance sport, with demands not unlike any other at this level with amateur status.
Canberra’s Peter Campos is the chair of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation.
“The Australian paddlers are on the water five days a week, along with two to three gym sessions, it’s a fairly solid training program,” he says.
This is the level of training required, with racing distances up to 2000 metres.
Dragon boat training on Lake Burley Griffin. Photo: Dragon Boat ACT.
Understandably, with temperatures around minus three degrees at the moment, the Canberra-based paddlers have pushed back their early morning sessions on the Lake to later in the day.
Like many in the sport, Peter’s entry into dragon boating came via another sport.
“I did long distance trekking and when I came to Canberra, I started dragon boating and realised it was addictive,” he said.
Speak to many in the dragon boat community and their passion for the sport is evident.
According to Peter, the numbers continue to grow as the sport gains a greater profile, along with its inclusive nature.
For the first time a Para Dragons team will compete at the titles.
Beyond the World Titles the sport has high aspirations, with entry to the Olympic program at the top of the list.
Closer to home, dragon boats will be omnipresent in October on Lake Burley Griffin with the Australian Masters Games featuring three days of racing on the Yarramundi Reach rowing course.
There is a fair chance the October regatta will feature a number of newly minted world champions.
The Dragon Boat Racing World Championships begin in Germany on 16 July. Stay in the loop via the International Dragon Boat Federation website.
