Paddles poised for Battle on the Barwon

ONE of Victoria’s biggest dragon boat events will return to the Barwon River next week, bringing crews from across the state together for a day of endurance, speed and spirited competition.

Hosted by the Geelong Dragon Boat Club, the Battle on the Barwon event has grown over the past decade from a small social regatta into the official season opener for Dragon Boat Victoria.

More than 400 competitors spanning 19 clubs from across the state took part last year, with crews travelling from across Melbourne and regional Victoria including Ballarat, Beechworth, Albury, the Mornington Peninsula and East Gippsland – and similar numbers are expected again this year.

The main race will begin at the Geelong Canoe Club near Balyang Sanctuary and will follow an S-shaped course up and down the Barwon River.

Sharon McClelland is the crew’s drummer. Her primary role is to set the pace and rhythm for the paddlers.

But, according to Geelong Dragon Boat Club president Denis Jenkins, most of the 20 paddlers in each boat will be working too hard to admire the scenery.

“The main event is a challenging 5.4km pursuit time trial, by far the longest event on the season’s calendar,” he said.

“Depending on the strength and skills of the various crews, completion times vary from 25 to 35 minutes.

“After 2024’s excellent effort of 30:05, the Geelong club will be looking to finally crack the half-hour barrier.”

The program will also include races over a shorter 3.5km course, and the day will conclude with a series of fast-paced 100m “splash and dash” sprints.

Among the teams taking to the water on Sunday, August 17 is the Dragons Abreast Geelong club, affectionately known as the Juggernauts, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Each boat has an ornately carved dragon’s head at the bow and a tail in the stern, while the paddles symbolise the dragon’s claws and the drum represents its heart.

The club provides camaraderie, connection and fitness for breast cancer survivors, and has become a vital part of the region’s paddling community.

“Over the years, several members from each of these clubs have taken the opportunity to represent Victoria, and even Australia, in this demanding and exciting team sport,” Mr Jenkins said.

Dragon Boating has a rich history that dates back more than 2,000 years to ancient China, where it began as a cultural and spiritual tradition.

Today, it’s a fast-growing international paddling sport known for its teamwork, endurance and strong sense of community.

Each boat has an ornately carved dragon’s head at the bow and a tail in the stern, while the paddles symbolise the dragon’s claws and the drum represents its heart.