History

Dragon Boating:

The Chinese dragon, also known as the “loong”, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture.  Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally symbolize potent powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. 

Dragon boat racing began about 2000 years ago in Southern China.  It was initially a folk ritual designed to appease the rain gods, encourage rainfall and celebrate the summer rice planting.

In the 1970s, dragon boating gradually evolved from being a folk custom and to become a modern, fully-fledged water sport.  Over time, it has been modified as a sport and dragon boat racing races are now conducted in more than 30 nations worldwide.

Dragon boating had its Australian beginnings over 25-years ago when the West Australian Surf Life Saving Association was invited to the Penang (Malaysia) Dragon Boat Festival.  Since those early beginnings, dragon boating in Australia has gone from strength-to-strength.  Some authorities now say that dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water-sport in Australia.

Cooloola Dragon Boat Club Inc:

The Cooloola Dragon Boat Club (CDBC) was formed in March of 2003 and incorporated four months later in July.  The founding members of the CDBC included such enthusiastic people as Lali Mackenzie (President), Roselyn Raynes (Vice President), Sybil and Graeme Leigh (appointed Secretary), Jayde Makin (Treasurer) and Peter Raynes (Head Trainer).

In its early days, the club was affiliated with the Gold Coast Chinese Club (GCCC).  The GCCC very kindly aided the fledgling CDBC which at the time was a very small group of new and inexperienced paddlers.  To get the club started as an active paddling group, the GCCC leased a Dragon Boat complete with the necessary equipment to get the boat in the water and mobile.  In addition, Bill Veitch, the head coach of the Burleigh Fire Dragons acted as CDBC’s Coaching Director.  Bill brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the Cooloola Dragons who were eager to take to the water and show their mettle.

“Launch day” was brought closer in November 2003 when the leased boat arrived in Tin Can Bay.  The name of that first boat is lost to history but we do know that a boat named “ET” was used in 2004.  The CDBC soon held an open day and paddlers from other dragon boat clubs came to town to help with recruiting members.

Because of the relatively small population in our area, it took the CDBC some time before it could field a full crew in regattas.  In those days, regattas were mainly staged in the Brisbane and Gold Coase areas.  Our paddlers gained valuable competition experience by filling in with other clubs as the opportunities arose.

Today, the CDBC owns two 20-seat dragon boats:  Ceratodus and Stamina.

Stamina was purchased with funds donated by a very enthusiastic paddler named Bill Stamm who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2011.

Ceratodus was donated to the CDBC by the Burnett River Dragons which was unfortunately disbanded in 2020.

Both of these striking looking dragon boats are now regularly used by the CDBC teams and visiting clubs.

Two of CDBC’s earlier dragon boats, Puff and Ti Lung have gone on to serve the dragon boating community elsewhere.  Puff was donated by the club to Cunnamulla Aboriginal Health program for the use of children and young adults in 2020.  Ti Lung, a 10-seat boat was purchased by the CDBC in 2014 and sold to the Nambucca River Dragons in 2020.

In 2005, CDBC formed a “paddling partnership” with the Tweed River Dragons to enter its first State Championship.  Membership gradually increased and by 2007, CDBC was able to enter in the State Championships in its own right.

Since that time, members of CDBC have represented the club in State teams at national and international levels.  Over the years, the club has also competed in many sports regattas. 

In 2010, through the initiative and guidance of then CDBC Coach and Steerer, Gayle Barnett, new regional Clubs were formed in Bundaberg, Burnett River, Hervey Bay and 1770.  These clubs now compete in the annual Wide Bay Series of regattas which are friendly, but competitive, opportunities for each of the clubs to show how far they have come and to meet their fellow dragon boat paddlers.

Because not all Wide Bay clubs could field their own teams for competition, permission was sought and granted by Dragon Boat Queensland to allow a combination team.  Some Wide Bay clubs now contribute crew members to a combination team known as the Wide Bay Warriors.  This team often competes at sport regattas.  A regional team is formed to compete at the National Championships.

As we approach the CDBC’s 20^th anniversary, the club continues to steadily build its membership.  Paddlers come to Tin Can Bay from Cooloola Cove, Rainbow Beach, Gympie and surrounding areas.  They all enjoy their training in Tin Can Bay’s calm, beautiful waterways where it is often possible to see dolphins, turtles and other aquatic wildlife.  What could be better??

Dragon Boat Queensland:

In 1999, four dragon boat clubs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast joined to form the Queensland Dragon Boat Federation (QDBF).  This was the first step on the path of this sport becoming what it is today.  Subsequently, in 2015, DBQF changed its name to Dragon Boat Queensland (DBQ).  State wide, there are now over 1000 paddlers!!  Furthermore, DBQ now has financial recognition from Queensland Sport and Recreation which will help further develop the sport.

DBQ is the governing body for dragon boating in Queensland and it was formed to give clubs and paddlers an opportunity to represent their country but over time has become much more.

Being part of a state-wide collective body means clubs are kept informed and guided by volunteer board members dedicated to the management and development of the sport, and assistance to access available funding and marketing tools.

Membership of DBQ has grown rapidly with 39 clubs and a total of over 1500 members with more clubs forming all the time.