General Information

Team Entry: To enter, simply email: admin@dragonboatsvictoria.com.au

Team Composition: A Dragon Boat Team consists of up to 22 people: Up to 20 Paddlers, 1 Drummer, 1 Steer/sweep.

Various racing categories include male, female, mixed, juniors (under 18), masters (over 40) and grand masters (over 50).

A mixed team MUST have a minimum of eight female paddlers. This is a newly modified rule.

For competition in Victoria, a women’s team may have a male drummer and/or Steer/sweep. This rule may vary at National or interstate events.

Training: Registered teams are welcome to make use of either of the training facilities available being:

Docklands: Shed 2, North Wharf Road, Docklands.

Yarra: “Boat Sheds” precinct, southern bank of the Yarra, just upstream from Princes Bridge.

Boats: Boats are made available to registered teams for training on the Yarra and now at Docklands (Shed 2).

Training is to be in day light hours but may be at times to suit. Team captains are required to accept responsibility for their team and can them be provided access to facilities.

Coaches: It is also very strongly recommended that each team appoint an experienced coach. We are able to refer teams to experienced and enthusiastic coaches (enquire to admin@dragonboatsvictoria.com.au). Teams will need to agree on and attend to payment of fees directly with these coaches.

Indemnity: NO person shall be permitted in a boat until they have completed an appropriate indemnity form and handed it to the VDBA or their team captain and no team captain shall permit a person to enter a boat unless this has been complied with.  

Safety Drill: All new Team Members will be required to undertake a Safety drill. Members will not be allowed in a boat (at training or in an event) until they have completed the drill and the enforcement of this is the responsibility of the team captain.

Note: All Drummers and sweeps/steers must undergo the same process and will not be permitted to participate in training or competition unless they have done so. Everyone on board must know precisely what to do in an emergency such as a capsize. There is no tolerance for teams developing alternative emergency procedures as, in an emergency, rescue crews will an expectation of what all participants will do.

Life jackets (& the Old Swim Test): Historically, participants have been required to undertake a swim test to determine if they must wear a life jacket. Victorian legislation now requires everyone to wear a lifejacket. Accordingly, the swim test is no longer undertaken as it serves no purpose. There are no exceptions to the requirement to wear a life jacket. A PFD 1, 2 or 3 is acceptable.

Safety & Training Notes: Captains must ensure that the Safety & Training Notes have been supplied to all new Team Members in advance of the Drill. These can be downloaded from the this web site or by email to mailto:admin@dragonboatsvictoria.com.au


Registration Fees for Teams. Categories include:

  • Social Teams/Clubs (not involved in any commercial or brand promotion)

  • Sponsored Team

  • Boat Sponsorship

  • Event Sponsorship

  • Training Facilities

    Interstate Teams. A per head fee is payable and will be advised on application and may vary from event to event. Simply email: admin@dragonboatsvictoria.com.au

    For current fees, please view the article under the Latest News tab on this site.

    Social Team Entry Rules : Social Entry Teams should note that no corporate or like identification may be displayed in any way (e.g. T-shirts, life jackets). Teams wishing to be involved in corporate promotion of this type are invited to seek registration as a sponsored team.

    Only Sponsored Teams are permitted to use company names, logos etc.
    Sponsored Teams can include their company name as part of their Team Name.
    Social Entry Teams are not permitted to incorporate company identification in the Team Name.

    Equipment

    Boats: Some teams have their own boats and train regularly from their own facilities. However, DBV have a fleet of boats available for use by registered teams.

    Paddles: Each team member must own his/her individual paddle. The VDBA has enjoyed a long association with its sponsor, Canoes Plus, xxx Cotham Road, Kew . (Phone: (03) xxx or mailto:dboats@bigpond.net.au). Paddlers should be aware that current Victorian rules are relaxed in regard to paddle types. However, various national and interstate regattas require paddlers to only use IDBF approved paddles and paddlers should be aware of this before investing in a paddle. A small number of paddles may be available at training to assist paddlers who have not acquired a paddle. However, this represents an emergency supply only and should not be relied upon or called upon for any extended time.

    Life Jackets: All paddlers are required by law to wear life jackets (Pfd 1, 2 or 3). Again, our sponsor, Canoes Plus stocks a wide range of life jackets (Canoes Plus, xxx Cotham Road, Kew. Phone: (03) xxx or  info@dagger.com.au). For a small extra fee, life jackets can have team names and logos endorsed on them.