Over 40? Come and Try Dragon Boating
FREE session in the heart of Sydney's Inner West
Our qualified coaches love introducing new paddlers to the sport.
NO Paddling Experience Needed
Join us on for fun, sociable fitness and all the support and instruction you need to paddle across the waters of Iron Cove.
What do you have to lose? See our FAQ's below 👇
📍461 Henley Marine Drive, Drummoyne
on the Bay Run (next to Drummoyne Rowing Club)
📆 Saturday 14th November, 8.45am
Teamwork. Fitness. Fresh Air.
Are you "fit enough" to try dragon boating? The answer is yes.
Dragon boating is a unique, low-impact sport where the boat does the work when the technique is right. Unlike a solo workout, you have 19 other people pulling with you. Our sessions on Iron Cove are designed specifically for adults who want to work on their fitness with a low risk of injury.
What you gain:
Core & Functional Strength: Improve your posture and power through guided, rhythmic paddling.
Mental Clarity: There is something meditative about the sound of the water and the synchronised stroke.
A Ready-Made Community: We are a diverse group of professionals, parents, and retirees who value a laugh as much as a workout.
Medals: Once you've learned the technique, there are opportunities to compete at local, state and national regattas.
Ready to reserve your seat? Join us, no strings, just paddles.
What happens on the tryout session?
Once you're registered and booked in, this is how a typical session goes:
08:45am - warm welcome, paddle selection, basic instruction, warm-up stretches. Store your belongings in the locker.
09:00am - Get in the boat with your "buddy" - the paddler you will be sat with for the session - and up to 18 other paddlers. Head out on the water with our expert coaches and sweep.
09:15am - The coaching team will introduce you to the basics of dragon boat paddling, put the crew through a structured set of drills that build technique, swapping sides to balance the effort across the body. New paddlers receive extra attention for a safe and enjoyable session.
10:00am - return to the boat ramp, help put the boats away, cool down stretches
10:15am - join the team for a social post-paddle breakfast at Nield Park Pavillion (optional)
Don't Miss Out - Spaces Are Limited
Register now to reserve your seat on the boat.
How To Find Us
We're located at Drummoyne Rowing Club 461 Henley Marine Drive and a few steps from the Bay Run footpath.
Look out for the Green and White shirts and the 12m long Dragon Boats on the water.
Car: street parking on Henley Marine Drive and nearby streets is free and unlimited. Also try Aqua Luna car park
Bus: 52, 501, 502, 504, 504, 506, 507 all stop at Victoria Road (5 min walk)
Bike or Walk: public bike racks are at Drummoyne Swimming pool (2 min walk)
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 adult 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 and are looking for exciting new talent to join us.
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 for beginners, including paddles and life jackets if needed.
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 (seasonal)
Wednesday 6.00pm - endurance and technique (seasonal)
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 $230 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 new members. 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 key bag and locked away during paddling.
There aren't any private changing facilities at the boat ramp. The nearest public toilet is at Brett Park (2 min walk) but they're not always open before paddling on Saturday morning.