The Redcliffe Red Dragons have returned from the 2026 Australian National Dragon Boat Championships with multiple medals after competing against some of the top crews in the country.
The national championships, held from 18 to 23 April at Lake Kawana on the Sunshine Coast, saw 29 local paddlers representing the club across Senior A, B and C divisions, and bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals.
Club Registrar, coach and competitor Iciar Argus said the results reflected the strength and spirit of the local team.
“We trained hard, and it showed,” Ms Argus said. “I’m incredibly proud of every member of our crew. To come home with national medals is a huge achievement for our club and our community.
“The momentum we’ve built is exciting and sets us up strongly for the season ahead.”
Among the club’s strongest performers was the Senior B Women’s 10s crew, which entered the competition after being crowned state champions in March. The crew claimed silver in the 500m final, finishing behind an invitational team from New Zealand. As the highest-placed Australian crew in the event, Redcliffe secured the Australian championship title in the category.
Building Momentum and Community Through Dragon Boating
The team followed that result with a gold medal performance in the 2km event, earning a second national championship title during the regatta.
Racing margins throughout the championships were narrow, with two Redcliffe crews missing finals qualification by 0.04 seconds and 0.65 seconds respectively.
The club also secured a bronze medal in the Senior A Mixed 10s 200m event.
Founded in 2005, the Redcliffe Red Dragons now have more than 95 members and train throughout the year in the Newport canals and Moreton Bay. The club operates from its ‘Dragons Den’ headquarters at Talobilla Park, Kippa-Ring.
Dragon boating has continued to grow in participation nationally over recent years, with clubs across Queensland competing regularly in state and national events. The sport features teams racing in synchronised paddling events over distances ranging from short sprints to endurance races.
The Redcliffe Red Dragons welcome new members from across the Moreton Bay region.
“We’re a very inclusive club and always encourage new paddlers to give it a go,” Ms Argus said. “It’s a great way to stay active, meet people and be part of a team.”
Find more information here or call 0499 774 698.
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