Dragon Boats Fire Up Penrith

Dragon Boats NSW Inc.
(Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984)
(Registered Number: Y2086230)
(ABN 31 936 733 882)

Unit 8 / 11-21 Underwood Rd
Homebush NSW 2140
www.dbnsw.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE
6 November 2009
For immediate release

Dragon boats return to Sydney International Regatta Centre

Dragon boat racing returns to the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith this weekend with the second race of the 2009/10 season.

Clubs from Sydney and regional New South Wales will go head-to-head in the first 200 metre race of the season on Sunday 8 November.

"The first race at Roseville's Garrigal National Park saw some fantastic racing," said Steven Davidson, President of Dragon Boats NSW.

"With Australian representatives returning to their clubs following a successful World Championship campaign in Prague, I'm sure we can look forward to some very close and exciting races over the sprint distance."

Clubs will compete in races for mixed, women's and opens' categories. Racing starts at 8am and spectators are welcome to take in the action during the day. Sydney International Regatta Centre is at Old Castlereagh Road, Penrith.

About Dragon Boats NSW and dragon boating

Dragon Boats NSW is the governing body for dragon boating in New South Wales and a member of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF). Dragon Boats NSW has 45 member clubs residing in all corners of the state from Byron Bay in the North to Merimbula in the South and Dubbo in the West.

Dragon boating is an exciting water sport with boats of up to 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steerer working in unison to compete in both sprint and long distance races (200m to 2000m and above).

With over 2000 years of history originating in China, dragon boating is steeped in tradition. Each boat has an ornately carved dragon's head at the bow, and a dragon's tail at the stern. The hulls are painted with dragon scales and the paddles symbolically represent the claws of the dragon. This creates a colourful spectacle on the water. Dragon boat festivals will often feature `eye dotting' ceremonies to bless and awaken the dragon within!

Dragon boating is unique in its ability to attract a broad demographic, with members from varying cultural and occupational backgrounds. It caters to participants across all ages and levels of fitness, from juniors and youth to grand dragons (our over 50 members).

As one of the fastest growing sports in Australia, dragon boating suits serious, corporate and casual paddlers. Prospective paddlers, and media organisations can visit Dragon Boats NSW website (www.dbnsw.org.au) for more information.

Media contact:
Melanie Cantwell
Business Manager, Dragon Boats NSW Inc.
Mob: 0418 480 731
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Dragon Boats NSW Inc