Community team events headline dragon boat regatta

August 23, 2025 BY
Dragon boat regatta

The Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club will host its annual regatta at Shaws Bay on August 30-31. Photo: SUPPLIED

.A RECORD crowd is expected at the Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club’s annual regatta at Shaws Bay on August 30–31.

The two-day event will feature about 10 teams from southeast Queensland and northern NSW.

Community team events on Saturday will include a 100-metre dash, a flag race, a State of Origin contest and a Rest of the World race.

Sunday will see some of the top clubs compete in the main regatta.

Regatta coordinator Mary Davis said the event could cater for up to 500 competitors and spectators.

“We’re pretty efficient in running the event and we’ll have food tents and all sorts of raffles and entertainment,” Davis said.

She said the regatta was also a strong draw for locals.

“It’s a great spectator event because you can see the whole race from start to finish.”

Rainbow Dragons in preapring for the regatta in 2024. Photo: DAVID COPE

 

The Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club has 127 registered members and runs seven weekly training sessions for different levels. The club has also acquired outriggers for members wanting to do additional paddling.

“It’s a social sport that still caters to people who have that competitive spirit which often comes out once they hit the water,” Davis said.

“A lot of it is about mental wellbeing and social support in a team while getting a full-body workout.”

Club members often compete at regattas on the Gold Coast and have won medals at regional events.

About 45 members will travel to Canberra for a masters games event later this year, while others have competed as far away as Western Australia.

The regatta is supported by Ballina Shire Council and sanctioned by Dragon Boats NSW.