In 1999, four dragon boat clubs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast joined to form The Queensland Dragon Boat Federation.

This was the first step on the path of this sport becoming the body that it is today with over 1000 paddlers state wide and the financial recognition from Queensland Sport and Recreation to develop further develop the sport.

The QDBF is the state governing body for dragon boating in Queensland and it was formed to give clubs and paddlers an opportunity to represent their country, but has become much more.

Being part of a collective body means clubs have access to equipment to host regattas, a team of volunteers dedicated to the management and development of the sport, and assistance to access available funding and marketing tools.

In 2000, the QDBF became an incorporated association with four clubs as members:

• Gold Coast Dragons
• Brisbane River Dragons
• Burleigh Fire Dragons
• Currumbin Dragons

Membership of the federation has grown rapidly – from four members clubs in 2000 to 19 in 2008 with more clubs forming all the time.

In 2002, QDBF hosted the Australian Dragon Boat Championships at Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast. This event is still referred to as one of the most successful national Championships to date and it gave QDBF financial security, with a profit in excess of $15,000.

Queensland will have another opportunity to shine on the national stage when it hosts the Australian Dragon Boat Championships in 2009 at Stockland Park on the Sunshine Coast. Paddlers from around the country will converge on Queensland to battle it out on the water.

Queensland dragon boating is going from strength to strength and with support from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and the Sport and Recreation Development Program, the possibilities are limitless…