Taranaki Dragons is a club that promotes and fosters good fellowship, social interaction, friendship and fair play.
We provide training facilities, equipment amd coaching. We compete regionally and nationally, with some members competing internationally.
We are growing and looking for male and female paddlers of all ages.
Our current paddling season starts in October. As a club we paddle on the Waitara River. There will be extra training leading up to Regattas.
This season we are committed to more than just paddling - our focus is on fitness, technique and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.
Come and join us.
Prospective members are given three (3) free paddles. If you decide to continue, you will need to register and join the club.
Our goal is to be competitive in regattas with women's, men's, mixed and breast cancer survivor teams. Leading up to regattas our training intensifies, meaning training up to 3 times a week. This will be a mix of on and off the water training.
It is non-weight bearing which is associated with a low risk of injury. Breast cancer survivors are also able to reach out to other women and men, offering each other hope, support and companionship. There are numerous breast cancer Dragon Boating teams worldwide, and at least eight affiliated teams within New Zealand, including Taranaki Dragons. At the World Championship games in July 2025 the NZ Black Dragon BCP raced in four distances and won four medals. World Champions at 1,000 metres, Silver in 500 metres and 200 metres, bronze in 2 km.
Wednesday & Sunday; times are dependent on daylight saving and tides.
Based at the Waitara Boating (Yacht) Club.
Marine Park, West Beach, Waitara.
Quick dry sports gear and water shoes. Thermals if the weather is cold.Bring water bottle, towel and dry clothes.Life jackets are compulsory and are provided.
Regular training is encouraged. A text is sent out before each paddle; please reply if requested.
If you're selected to attend a regatta, training will increase with the expectation that you will attend.
Daily Attendance-Sheet: To be ticked by each paddler before each session.
Boat Readiness: All paddlers help to get the dragon boat and rescue boat out of the shed.
Gear: Collect a life jacket and a paddle.
Warm-up: Beginning of each training session.
Allocation of seats: Sweep or team captain will organise seating.
Launching: All paddlers help to launch the Dragonboat and assist the rescue boat driver when needed.
Dragonboat: All paddlers assist to bring the Dragonboat to the storage shed, wash down the Dragonboat and paddles and assist with the rescue boat when needed.
Warm down: Individual paddler responsibility.
