We’ll teach you how to race dragon boats. We offer you a couple of options of how to learn. Option 1 involves registering with us for a Dragon Pass, a temporary membership, and getting your first few sessions free. With a Dragon Pass, you’ll be able to join us at our daylight training sessions in Sydney or Nowra for the duration of your temporary membership. Option 2 involves registering for a Dragon Pass and enrolling in our Come Try Program, an introduction to the fundamentals of dragon boat paddling. Keep an eye open for our Come Try Program’s 2026 dates. Email us (hinowrawaterdragons@gmail.com) for more information.

Dragon boat racing is a watersport. Expect to get wet. Wear quick-dry clothing and closed-toe water shoes. Bring a hat, sunnies and sunscreen, and remember your water bottle (no glass or metal bottles allowed). We recommend having a change of dry clothes, too, for the trip home. We will provide you with a paddle and Personal Flotation Device (PFD) – it’s compulsory for new paddlers and all paddlers who haven’t passed their annual swim test to wear a lifejacket. For more info, visit our Getting Started page.

We offer six training sessions a week: three in Nowra and three in Sydney. In Nowra, we train on Shoalhaven River. In Sydney, we train on Rozelle Bay. For the most accurate information about the days and times of our sessions, check out the information on our website’s homepage.

Competitive paddlers train to race in accredited regattas held locally, nationally and internationally. Dragon boat racing events typically cover 200m, 500m and 2km distances, with the goal being to finish fastest across the line. Crews are configured as women-only, open (mostly men) and mixed (women and men) teams, with different age segmentations. Our club races primarily in the 50+ (Senior B) and 60+ (Senior C) age categories. We have a number of younger members and occasionally race in the 40+ (Senior A) category. Once it is finally introduced – and we’re super-keen for this to happen – we expect to race in the 70+ (Senior D) age category. Our club has very successful competitive crews, and our training sessions are designed to maximise our power, speed and cohesion.

Social paddlers attend dragon boat training sessions to get fit, meet new people, spend time outdoors and participate in a team-based sport. Social paddlers do participate in community regattas, destination events or iconic sports meetings like the PanPacific Games and Australian Masters Games. Being part of the broader dragon boat community is something that many social paddlers thoroughly enjoy.

Find out about our club’s team of awesome coaches by clicking here.

Download a copy of our membership brochure. When you’re ready to register, click here to register and pay your club and DBNSW fees.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the club and DBNSW membership fees, click here.

Buying your own paddle begins with knowing what length of paddle suits you best. Several online sites are available from which to purchase a new paddle, depending on your preference for handle or grip style, weight and personalisation. Speak to one of our coaches for their recommendations about which paddle to purchase. Second-hand paddles are often for sale on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace – but do buy only from a trusted seller. For paddlers racing in IDBF-sanctioned regattas, your paddle must have the IDBF Paddle Specification 202a stamp confirming it complies with permissible design standards.

Navigate to this page (note: it is a third-party website, Revolutionise Sport) and select the Returning Member option. Follow the steps to renew and pay your club and DBNSW fees.

Club members can access information about the MPIO on the members’ zone page (password protected) of this website.

Contact the Club President for information about how to access the password-protected members’ zone page.

Club members can access the password-protected Knowlege Hub page on this website.

Contact the Club President for information about how to access the password-protected Knowledge Hub page.

Information about our new complaints process is available here, and in the Knowledge Hub page and via a link in the members’ zone page.

Our club members are required to RSVP their intent to participate in a regatta via our team management app (Stack Team). Information about regattas and events can be accessed in the Knowledge Hub page and members’ zone page. And if you’ve never paddled in a regatta before, start with the club’s So, You Want to Race Dragon Boats info sheet.

The annual swim test involves swimming 50 metres wearing paddling clothes (i.e. shirt, tights or shorts, closed-toe shoes) following by at least 10 minutes treading water without support. If you can’t meet these requirements, you will be required to wear a lifejacket when paddling.

DBNSW is the governing body of dragon boating in NSW. Visit their website for more information.

AusDBF is the national organising body of dragon dragon boat racing in Australia. Visit their website for more information.

IDBF is the world governing body for dragon boat racing. Visit their website for more information.

Auroras is the name of Australia’s national dragon boat crew. An Aurora is an elite paddler selected by AusDBF to represent Australia in international competition. In 2025, the Auroras represented Australia at the 17th IDBF’s World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany. Our club is very proud to have had several members selected to past and current Auroras teams.