New Paddlers

Come and try

Welcome.  Wondering if you would like dragon boating?  Come and have a paddle with Dragon Flyers!  

Dragon Pass gives you one month of free training sessions to help you decide whether it's the sport for you.   All equipment is provided.    

To sign up for your one month free Dragon Pass, go to Registration and select 'New Member'.  When registering,  select the '1 DRAGON PASS - $0.00'  option (at the very top of the selection list).  

Due to covid-19 restrictions, we are asking all paddlers to book in for training sessions.  If you would like to come and try dragon boating, please contact coach@dragonflyers.net.au so that we can book you into a training session.   

Our training times, location and other details are on our Training page.  

The best time to come and try is our Saturday morning training sessions.   Arrive early so that we can get you a paddle and go through the basics.  

Wear comfortable clothes suitable for the weather and shoes that can get wet.  You will get wet!  

The registration site will ask you if you can swim 100 metres in your clothes.  If you can't, you can still paddle with us.  We will provide you with a personal flotation device (PFD) for your safety. 

INFORMATION GUIDE FOR NEW PADDLERS

Ready to join?

So you have given it a try with your free Dragon Pass and have decided it's the sport for you.  It's easy to join!

Individual membership is made up of two parts:

Part 1: Dragon Flyers membership

You need to join the Dragon Flyers -  normally this is $100.00 per year but is discounted to $75  due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. 

Part 2: Dragon Boat ACT (DBACT) membership 

Dragon Boat ACT is the peak body for dragon boating in Canberra.  To participate in dragon boating, you need to pay the DBACT annual membership fee.  This fee covers the use of boats, paddles and life jackets. It also covers the cost of insurance, local regatta entry and the AusDBF paddler levy. Only paid-up registered members and registered temporary members are permitted to use DBACT equipment and dragon boats.

Normally the annual membership fee for DBACT is $350 for sports membership and $200 for full time students.  However, the DBACT is also discounting its fees in recognition of the disruption caused by the pandemic.  This has reduced the fees for DBACT to $270 for sports membership and $155 for full time students.

Total fees for 2022-23 are:

Sports membership:  Dragon Flyers $75 + DBACT $270.   Total $345

Full time student:       Dragon Flyers $50  + DBACT $155.    Total $205

You will need to provide a passport style photo.  

After 12 months you will receive a renewal notice via the email address you provide. Please keep your details up to date so you don’t miss the emailed renewal notice. If your membership lapses, you cannot go out in a boat. 

If you have any difficulties joining or renewing your membership, contact the Dragon Flyers membership officer at membership@dragonflyers.net.au

How to Join?

CLICK HERE TO JOIN and pay for both DBACT and Dragon Flyers membership.

Other Useful Information

When is training?

See the Training page for details of where, when and how.

How do I order Dragon Flyers uniform?

The Dragon Flyers range of clothing can be ordered from the Members section of the website once you are a member.  You can try some sample shirts, but if you ask someone of similar build, you’ll find the size for you.  Contact: Janet Anderson.

Paddle shorts and gloves

Typhoon 8 and other suppliers attend regattas from time to time.  You can also order online.  Go to  www.jpx2.com.au  or  www.typhoon8.com.au

Paddles
There are various types of paddles and a number of suppliers.  jpx2 supply the Dragon Flyers paddles.  It’s best to try a few grips and be measured for a paddle before you purchase.  Some vendors have paddles to try before you buy.  The Flyers have a custom paddle with the Dragon Flyers artwork.

Personal Flotation Devices
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be worn at night between the advertised time of sunset and sunrise, also, because Lake Burley Griffin gets very cold, at all times throughout winter.  DBACT determine this period from 1 May to 30 September.

You must also wear a PFD if the sweep on the boat determines, for crew safety reasons, all on board must wear a PFD. The sweep can instruct you to wear a PFD if you are injured, unable to swim, or cannot swim 100 metres unaided.

There are PFDs in the shed at Grevillea Park and you are free to use them.  However, for a more comfortable, personalised fit, you can purchase your own from most water sports retailers.  The red Musto PFDs worn by some of the Dragon Flyers is available from the Canberra Yacht Club shop, Yarralumla, (near Snapper Cafe) or you can purchase most PFDs online.

You should have a small waterproof torch attached to your PFD and a whistle (with plastic pea).