Bluefins Dragon Boat & Outrigger Canoeing Club
Club
Dragon Boat
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Week
Training
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Club Overview
Formed in 2002, BlueFins are a social & competitive Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoe club in Sydney. We compete in events locally and abroad. BlueFins achieved an outstanding record in corporate racing events and won many titles in the early years. The club became an affiliate of Dragon Boats NSW Inc, and have been competing in DBNSW sports racing events. In 2024/25, the team is still going strong and looking forward to the new season!
BlueFins has continued to grow and expand - leading other corporate teams to win major events and also run outrigger canoe sessions with OC6 and v1's. Since 2020, it is an Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA) approved club.
We welcome people of all ages who enjoy paddling and meeting up together!
Training Times
Social:
Wednesday
8:45 AM to 10:30 AM
Social:
Sunday
10:45 PM to 12:30 AM
Social:
Sunday
11:45 PM to 1:00 AM
Club Focus
On the Web
About Dragon Boat
Dragon Boating is a centuries old sport originating in China. It is practiced competitively and socially around the world.
Beating drums, timing, rhythm, loud shouts of encouragement, dragon boats rushing by in a whir of colours and a sea of spectators. This is all part of the excitement and action of dragon boat racing, one of the most popular sports in the world today. But where did this sport originate?
As legend has it, the history of dragon boat racing dates back to 4th Century BC, to the Chu dynasty. In a battle to defend the Kingdom against the state of Qin, Qu Yuan, a trusted adviser to the king of Chu, cautioned his king against signing a fake treaty with Qin. However, his advice was used against him by jealous rivals who accused Qu Yuan of treason.
As punishment, Qu Yuan was banished to a remote area of southern China in Hunan Province. There he spent his time wandering the countryside writing poems expressing his love for his country and his people. Later, disheartened at the news of Chu's eventual fall to its rival (the State of Qin), Qu Yuan on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, with his arms firmly clasped around a huge rock, flung himself into the Miluo River.
News of the tragedy spread far and wide. Local fisherman rushed out in their boats, beating their drums and splashing their paddles in an attempt to save Qu Yuan's body from being eaten from fish and water dragons. They scattered his rice on water so that his spirit would not waste away from hunger.
To commemorate this event, it has become traditional to paddle in dragon boats on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This tradition continues today where dragon boating is now a major competition worldwide, with international, national, local competitions and community festivals, like Chinese New Year in Darling Harbour.
Club President
Ray SeetoBluefins welcomes people from the ages of 18 and up, all fitness levels and experiences to join us on the beautiful waters of Sydney Harbour on Dragon Boats, and our Outrigger Canoes. We are proud of our friendly, welcoming culture and the passion we have for paddling! Come give it a try!
Dragon Boat Head Coach
Li-Ray KinLi-Ray Kin
Sprints. That is what Dragon Boat paddling is about. Getting the whole boat of 20 paddlers to sync in rhythm and power and propel the boat forward over short distances of 200 or 500m.
Technique focused but high intensity, Dragon boat training aims to get the paddler to paddle most efficiently without injury, transferring the most power from the body into the boat and water.
Dragon Boat Membership
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Club Location
Club Address
1 Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Training Address
Same as above
Contact
Please get in contact