Docklands will be awash with dragon boat competitors later this month as the sport’s national championships come to town.

 

The 2012 Australian titles were launched on February 22 by China’s Acting  Consul-General Fengwen Huang before a small group of enthusiasts at the Harbour Kitchen overlooking the course in Victoria Harbour......

Countdown Event

 

The 2012 Australian Dragon Boat Championships Countdown Event held on Thursday 22nd February at Docklands saw over 30 guests in attendance including Mr Fengwen Huang, the Acting Consul General of China and Susan Riley, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne City Council who both expressed their delight at Melbourne playing host to the largest event on the Australian Dragon Boat Calendar.

 

 

Our distinguished guests enjoyed meeting Trevor Huggard, a Life Member of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation, the first ever President of AusDBF and current President of DBV. It was a joy to see the first AusDBF President and current President Kel Watt, who flew in specially from Canberra, standing side by side for this momentous occasion.  The presence of these to me, the older and the younger, presented a vivid picture of what dragon boat stands for – a sport that is open to all ages. Victorian members of the Aurora’s lent further glamour to the event with their presence – complete with gold medals.

 

Each speaker highlighted the advantages Docklands has to offer dragon boat athletes heading to Melbourne for the Championships whilst emphasising the unique cultural aspects to this ancient sport that, combined with modern practices, make for an incredible ‘spirit’ and mate-ship that exists between paddlers of all levels.

 

The Organising Committee in Melbourne were very pleased with the media attendance which bodes well for coverage of the Championships themselves. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Melbourne for 5 days of incredible racing – the Dragons are definitely coming – and we are waiting with open arms to welcome you to Docklands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Fengwen Huang, the Acting Consul General of China and Susan Riley, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne City Council

 

Left to Right:

Mr Fengwen Huang, the Acting Consul General of China

David Wong, Dragon Boats Victoria, Cultual Director

Georgina Wakim, Auroras Masters Women team member and IDBF 2012 World Championships 2km gold medalist

Serghei Cucsa, Head Coach of Australian National Team, the Auroras (also Dragon Boats Victoria head coach)