History of Club
The Gold Coast Dragon Boat Club was established in 1991 with many of its original crew being Gold Coast City Council employees. The Gold Coast Dragons attended their first Australian Dragon Boat Championships in Sydney in 1993, and have competed at every Australian Title since. In 1994, with sponsorship, Gold Coast Dragons attended their first International Dragon Boat Regatta in Macau, China. In 1996, due to the need for independence and ownership of club direction, the Gold Coast Dragon Boat Association Inc became an independent incorporated association.

We are a non-profit sporting organisation, who prides itself on having fun and keeping fit, as well as competing on a National and International level.

Affiliated Organisation

The Gold Coast Dragons are members of QDBF (Queensland Dragon Boat Federation) and AusDBF (Australian Dragon Boat Federation). We believe this is an important aspect of our sport, as it assists with the development and direction of the sport in Queensland and Australia.

Our sport is governed by IDBF (International Dragon Boat Federation) rules and regulations. Gold Coast Dragon Boat Club has achieved astonishing results both here in Australia and overseas, successfully competing at National and International level for over 15 years.

Queensland Dragon Boat Federation
The QDBF is the state governing body for dragon boating in Queensland and is proud of its paddlers, their hard work, their team spirit, and dedication to the sport.
With over 1000 paddlers, a 400% growth in the last five years, dragon boating has never looked so good. With clubs from Mackay to St George, from Brisbane to Tweed, people interested in dragon boating can choose from one of 18 clubs Queensland-wide. Over the years Queensland has won the right to contest in all categories at World Championships and is now perusing it’s right to compete in 2011.

Dragon boating has an esteemed 2500 year history and you can be a part of this amazing sport in 2010.  Dragon boating in Queensland is only going to get bigger and better!

Success in the Community
The Gold Coast Dragons pride themselves on their involvement in the community.
Due to the success our club has had with grants and sponsorships, we are often able to offer our resources back to assist other community groups and members.

Some recent examples of community events include:

  • Gold Coast Dragons host a major Corporate fund-raising event for The Cancer Council Queensland. A Dragon Boat Festival is a way of raising funds for Cancer Council Queensland. Last year our regatta raised more than $6,000 for The Cancer Council Queensland. Due to its success it has now become an annual event and we hope to raise more each year.
  • DELFIN Varsity Lakes “Come and Try” Dragon Boating Days
    In 2005, in partnership with DELFIN, the Gold Coast Dragons conducted a series of 4 “Come and Try” days for the local residents of Varsity Lakes.  The purpose of these sessions was to increase water based sport use on the beautiful Varsity Lakes, and to encourage more of the community to get active in a sport they would enjoy.  These were well attended, with over 100 residents taking part in this initiative. It has now become a permanent part of Delfin’s community activities.
  • Youth in Search.  Donation of use of 2 dragon boats to help raise funds for local charity.
  • Samoan fund raiser: Gold Coast Dragons hosted a charity event in an effort to raise funds for the Tsunami victims of Samoa. QDBF clubs generously supported this event and were able to raise $5000 for the victims. The money was put to use to install a standard playground of; 2 sets of swings,  2 sets of see saws and 1 slide. The playground was built in one of the worst hit areas for the Saleaaumua Primary school.