Sydney Dragon Sports Association Dragon Boat Club

DSA Club History
From Humble Beginnings

In Australia, Dragon Sports Association (DSA) has had a long and successful participation within the sport of Dragon Boat racing. We are currently enjoying our 26th year (Season 2009-2010). Being one of the founders of the sport within Australia, the club has endured everything from growth to split's. DSA as a club has seen victory on race day fought and won in the tightest of margins. We have also tasted the bitter pill of defeat in exactly the same manner.

We have competed at a state level against other strong clubs and walked away with many a trophy, we have also competed on a National level and until recently have successful achieved medal winning positions (Silver & Bronze medals) - That Gold is looking more and more likely every time we get in the boat. DSA has also the distinction of receiving numerous invitations from our overseas counterparts to travel, compete & represent Australia & DSA (China, Canada & New Zealand to name but a few).

As with everything, the only constant is change, and with that in mind DSA has seen its old club members leave to pursue career & family prospects, to the welcoming of a new breed of paddlers willing to take up the proud banner. These new members bring with them the excitement of trying a new sport full of racing and team bonding fueled by their raw talent.

We are not a big club when compared to other teams, but what we lack in numbers we certainly make up for, in fighting spirit and competitive strength.

Its the desire that drives us.

The desire to be the best that we can possibly be. So its no secret that we are regarded as highly as we are.

This hasn't been handed to us and it certainly has not been an easy road, it come's down to commitment, lots of hard work, dedication to our team mates & our amazing ability to put it all on the line come race day.

A History of Dragon Boating in Australia

Today Dragon Boat races are held right across this great country of ours, from Broome to Brisbane, Perth to Sydney and from Adelaide to Darwin. The first Australian involvement occurred in 1980 when Penang Tourist Development Corporation invited the Western Australia Surf Life Saving Association to send a team to the Penang Festival. This was followed the next year by invitations from the Hong Kong Tourist Association to Western Australia and New South Wales to send teams to what was then considered the unofficial world championships on Hong Kong Harbour.

Australian teams regularly tour overseas and have been sighted at least once at all major international festivals.

In 1984 the inaugural Sydney Dragon Boat Festival was held at Farm Cove. The Western Australia Dragon Boat Association formed in 1985. Most other states have subsequently formed State Associations.

Australian crews have participated at annual International Dragon Boat Federation (IBDF) World events starting with the first IDBF World Championships in 1995 in Yue Yang, China.

Dragon boat racing in Sydney & New South Wales

Dragon boat racing started in Sydney in 1984 and there are now more than 40 sports clubs through out NSW and 40/50 Corporate teams in the Sydney area. The races are quite spectacular with each boat adorned with a dragonhead and tail and propelled by a maximum of 20 enthusiastic paddlers over a distance of 500 meters.

Dragon Boats NSW Inc was established in 1994 and is the Club membership and Individual paddlers body. DBNSW Inc. runs regular races on behalf of its members and publishes a regular Newsletter.

Dragon boat races are held at various locations around Sydney, with one of the major events being the Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Festival, which is held at Darling Harbour. Other dragon boat races /festivals held in such places like Ballina, Grafton, Canberra, Moruya, Newcastle, Lake Keepit (Tamworth), Ulladulla & Jindabyne.

Footnote: With thanks to DBNSW Inc. for providing the information on the Origins and History of Dragon Boating.