Men Over 40
Come and Try Dragon Boating in the heart of the Inner West
FREE Session - 8.45am Saturday 16th May
đź“ŤCanal Road, Lilyfield - on the Bay Run
About Dragon Boating
Dragon boating is a team sport where every seat matters. Twenty paddlers sit in pairs in a 12m long boat and use a single-blade paddle with a T-shaped handle to propel the boat forward.
This session will focus on technique, rhythm, and having fun. It’s a low-impact way to build core strength and cardiovascular health without the solo grind of a gym. Many of our members started with the same question: are they "fit enough." The answer? No matter what your level of fitness, our expert coaches will help build your strength and fitness together over time.
If you're looking to get fit, or stay fit, with a friendly bunch of people, be out on the water, and have fun - then this session is for you! Come for the fitness, stay for the social post-paddle coffee.
Schedule
08:45am - arrival, registration, basic instruction, warm-up
09:00am - on the water with our expert coaches
10:00am - return to the boat ramp, cool down
10:15am - social coffee at Le Montage
How To Find Us
We're next to the Bay Run footpath between UTS Haberfield Rowing Club and Le Montage. Look out for the Green and White signage by the boat ramp on Canal Road and the 12m long Dragon Boats on the water.
Car: park on Canal Road for Blackmore Oval or along Maliyawul St in front of Le  Montage
Bus: 437, 440, 445 stop at Mary Street (10 min walk)
Light rail: Leichhardt North station (9 min walk)
Bike or Walk: between the bridges where Hawthorne Canal meets Iron Cove
Don't miss out
The clock is ticking
Reserve a seat in the boat
We have limited seats available so reserve one now.
We have paddlers in their 40, 50s, 60s and 70s. Some come for fitness, some for the breakfast, some for the racing and medals. Whatever your reason, come and give it a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone has questions before they make the decision to get in a Dragon Boat. If you have a question not covered here, message us on our Facebook page or email info@ffbdbc.com.au
Not at all! Our "Come-and-Try" sessions are designed specifically for people who have never picked up a paddle before. If you do have experience this will be a great way to come and find out about our club.
Dragon boating is for all fitness levels. While it is a workout, you will build the specific strength and endurance you need as you train. New members report feeling stronger and fitter after just a few weeks of paddling.
We're on a mission to help improve men's physical and mental health, especially later in life. As a club we compete in regattas in the senior divisions, i.e. over 40s, over 50s and over 60s. We have a strong women's and mixed team and are looking to widen the talent pool for our mens team.
Dragon Boating is a safe water sport, provided everyone heeds the instructions of the coaches. We train where we are never far from land, however course participants should be able to swim 50m with confidence or will be provided with a life jacket (PFD)
Suitable clothes to paddle in. Gym wear is fine, quick drying t-shirt and shorts.
Footwear that you won’t mind getting wet such as crocs, sandals, old runners, any other water sports shoes (no thongs)
Water Bottle – you will need water on the boat
Hat / Sunscreen
Hair clips or scrunchie for those with longer hair
Sunglasses (not expensive ones)
Change of clothes and towel in case you get wet
No. The club provides all necessary equipment, including paddles and life jackets, for all beginners and "Come-and-Try" participants.
Yes! Expect some splashes from your own paddle and those of your teammates. It’s part of the fun.
We paddle all year round, even in light rain. The only time we cancel is if there is lightning, high winds, or unsafe water conditions. If the session is cancelled due to poor weather we will text you to let you know.
It is very low-impact on the knees because you are seated. We teach "core rotation" to ensure you use your whole body, which helps strengthen the muscles that protect your back.
Dragon boats are very long and heavy, making them remarkably stable. While capsizes are extremely rare, we go over safety drills so everyone knows what to do.
Great news. You can enjoy fully insured paddling for free with no commitment for 28 days with our Dragon Pass. Our training sessions are:
Saturday 6.45am - our general training session, perfect for beginners
Monday 6.00pm - technique and race training
Wednesday 6.00pm - endurance and technique
After 28 days you will need to become a paid member of the state level sports body (DBNSW, $135 for 12 months) and a paid up member of FFB Dragon Boat Club. General Membership is $200 p.a. (July 1st - June 30th) which provides access to FFB training sessions, boats and paddles and includes an FFB paddling top and cap. For those who want to take part in race competitions there are further fees of around $2-300 p.a.
Car keys and other valuables can be placed in the secure club container.
There aren't any private changing facilities at the boat ramp. the nearest public toilet is at Blackmore Oval (2 min walk)