The Namoi Dragons are preparing to send a contingent of members down to Sydney to compete in the 2023 Lunar Festival races.
The local club will look to have nine competitors at the event, which is anticipated to see more than 3000 dragon boat racers take part in the Darling Harbour regatta.
The Sydney dragon boat race is the biggest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere. It is among an extensive schedule of events planned in the city to commemorate Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year is a fitting occasion to celebrate the sport of dragon boating which originated in southern China.
Dragon boating originated as a way to encourage prosperous rains.
Today, however, it is a fast-paced sport with a passionate and growing following.
The local Namoi Dragons, established last year, will compete in their first Lunar Festival.
The group’s president, Karen Kirkby, took part in last year’s event in the survivors’ category and is excited to see Narrabri represented with more participants this year.
Dr Kirkby will again participate in the cancer survivors’ category, while all Narrabri competitors will take part in the teams events.
Following its establishment and training opportunities last year, the Namoi Dragons are looking forward to taking part in more competitions this year and representing the district.
The hosting of a local regatta is ultimately on the agenda for the Narrabri-based club.
The local Dragons have been busily growing the club while learning the sport of dragon boating from neighbouring and supporting clubs.
Dragon boating ranges from purely social recreational and fitness paddling to very competitive national and international contests on harbours and waterways across Australia and the world.
Age doesn’t matter – anyone from 12-years-old and up can be paddler, and examples abound of 80 and 90-year-old dragon boaters with all ages, male and female, in between.
Paddlers get fit while having fun.
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