History of Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat Racing commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet who drowned himself during the third century BC in protest against a corrupt government. The tragic death of Qu Yuan is honoured each year on the fifth day of the fifth moon, when the fisherman’s attempt to save the poet is re-enacted in the form of dragon boat races.
All around the world, people have embraced the water sport and formed dragon boat racing clubs in their own countries. As dragon boat racing quickens its pace to become one of the hottest water sports, it is gaining momentum to being recognised as an Olympic sport.
Lakers Dragon Boat Club
Lakers were first formed in 2008 as part of the Champion Lakes Boating Club, which is located at Champion Lakes in Armadale. The club name is simple and is derived from our unique location. Our first season in competition was the 2009/10 season, with the fledgling club fielding modest crews. In 2011 the club had its first taste of success, securing bronze medals in the State Championships that season.
From there the club has gone from strength to strength. The club secured its first State Championship gold medal in 2013, and in the same year sent its first ever crew to compete at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships, in Penrith NSW, with members also representing the WA state team for the first time. The year 2013 also saw its first two club members compete for the Australian national team at the world championships in Szeged, Hungary.
The Lakers home, Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, hosted the 2015 Australian Nationals. That year saw Lakers win their first ever national medal, picking up two bronze medals in the under 24s age category. They matched this effort with two more under 24s bronze medals in Adelaide the following season. In 2016, the Lakers finished the club season as the Champion Club for WA that season, a title which they have maintained for the last four years.
Lakers Dragon Boat Club have become one of the biggest clubs in WA, and continue today in their mission to grow and develop as a club. We welcome any and all interested people to join us and become part of our dragon boating family!
