Redcliffe Red Dragons Archives

Redcliffe Red Dragons Land Community Grant for New Marquee and Gear

The Redcliffe Red Dragons dragon boat club has landed a $1,969 grant that will see the club suit up with a brand-new branded marquee and bag, giving their presence at regattas a polish that matches their performance on the water.

Read: Redcliffe Red Dragons Paddle to National Glory at Lake Kawana

Cr Sandra Ruck shared the news on social media, giving the club a well-deserved shout-out. “Champions deserve champion-level gear,” she wrote, congratulating the team on securing the funding. The club responded warmly, thanking both the City of Moreton Bay and Cr Ruck for their ongoing support.

Photo credit: Cr Sandra Ruck – City of Moreton Bay

“Thank you to Moreton Bay City Council and Cr Sandra Ruck for your continual support. It is very much appreciated,” the club posted in response. “The new marquee will definitely make our club colours shine at regattas.” It is a timely win for a club that has been building serious momentum.

About the Redcliffe Red Dragons

Photo credit: Facebook/Redcliffe Red Dragons

Founded in 2005 and based at Talobilla Park in Kippa-Ring, the Redcliffe Red Dragons boast more than 95 members who train year-round. Three days a week, paddlers take to the Newport canals and out onto Moreton Bay, keeping fit and keeping the ancient sport of dragon boating alive and well on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

The club competes at local, state and national level, and at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships on Lake Kawana on the Sunshine Coast, the club’s 29 paddlers across Senior A, B and C Divisions returned home with gold, silver and bronze medals, including two national titles. Competing against top crews from around the country and from overseas, it was a result that underlined just how far the club has come.

The Senior B Women’s 10s crew, who had already claimed the State Championship title in March, took gold in the 2km event and were crowned Australian champions in the 500m after the crew that finished ahead of them competed as an invitational entry from New Zealand and was therefore not eligible for the national title. The Senior A Mixed 10s crew added a bronze in the fast-paced 200m to round out a strong weekend.

Read: Redcliffe Club Marks Major Milestone With New Dragon Boat On The Water

With dragon boating continuing to grow as one of Australia’s fastest-growing water sports, the Red Dragons are keen to welcome new faces into the fold. The club prides itself on being inclusive, with membership open to paddlers of all ages, though the core group skews pleasingly towards the over-50s. Whether someone is chasing competition or simply looking for a great way to stay active and social, there is a place for them on the boat.

Published 8-June-2026

Redcliffe Red Dragons Power Love Boat crew to 3rd in 37km Challenge

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Red Dragons/Facebook

Three paddlers from the Redcliffe Red Dragons helped power a mixed-club crew to a podium finish in one of Queensland’s longest dragon boat races, covering 37 kilometres across the Pumicestone Passage and securing third place in a field that included interstate teams.

The achievement came during the second running of the Enduro Quest, a long-distance dragon boat challenge that attracted crews from South East Queensland as well as teams from Adelaide, Dubbo and Port Harding.

Redcliffe Red Dragons paddlers Sharyn, Petra and Mick joined paddlers from Coomera, Manly, Tweed Heads, Dragon Boat Pumicestone and Brisbane Typhoons to form a composite crew that became known as the “Love Boat” because several couples were paddling together.

The course ran from the Bribie Island area through the Pumicestone Passage before finishing at Caloundra.

Composite crew finds success against established clubs

Unlike single-club crews, the composite team brought together paddlers from several organisations across south-east Queensland.

Brisbane Typhoons guided the boat sweep Theresa, while Manly Dragon Boat Club paddlers Vendy and Kerry held the stroke positions. Despite coming from different clubs, the crew remained competitive throughout the event.

When the final results were recorded, Sunshine Coast claimed first place in a time of 3:40.52, followed by Maroochy Sea Serpents in 3:41.56. The composite “Love Boat” crew crossed the finish line third in 3:43.51, only a short time behind the leading boats.

The result earned the crew a podium place in a race that drew teams from across Queensland and beyond.

Volunteers and local groups support the event

The event was supported by volunteers, clubs and community groups stationed along the route.

Dragon Boat Pumicestone welcomed crews at Mission Point during the first major stop of the race, where paddlers were provided with refreshments before returning to the water. Maroochy Sea Serpents later hosted post-race activities at the finish area.

The Enduro Quest follows a 37-kilometre route through the Pumicestone Passage and receives support from local marine safety organisations. Safety on the water was supported by Marine Rescue Bribie Island and Caloundra Coast Guard, which monitored crews throughout the course.

This year’s event featured 10 dragon boat crews, with competitors travelling from several regions to take part.

Published 20-May-2026

Redcliffe Red Dragons Paddle to National Glory at Lake Kawana

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Red Dragons/Facebook

The Redcliffe Red Dragons turned their season’s training into national success, bringing home two Australian championship titles and a complete set of medals after a standout showing at Lake Kawana, where crews from across Australia gathered for the national dragon boat championships.

The achievement came at the 2026 Australian Dragon Boat Championships, held at Lake Kawana on the Sunshine Coast from 18 to 23 April, where the Redcliffe club fielded 29 paddlers across Senior A, Senior B and Senior C divisions.

By the end of the competition, the club had collected gold, silver and bronze medals while placing multiple crews in finals against Australian crews and an overseas invitational crew.

Senior B Women Claim Two National Crowns

Leading the charge was the Redcliffe Red Dragons Senior B Women’s 10s crew, which continued the strong form it had shown earlier in the season. The crew secured Australian championship honours in the 500-metre event after finishing as the highest-placed Australian team in a race that included an invitational crew from New Zealand.

The paddlers then backed up that performance by winning the 2-kilometre event outright, earning a second national title and adding a gold medal to the club’s growing tally. Their results gave Redcliffe one of its strongest national campaigns.

*Photo Credit: Redcliffe Red Dragons/Facebook*

Medal Success Extends Beyond One Crew

The club’s success was not limited to a single division.

Redcliffe’s Senior A Mixed 10s crew added a bronze medal in the 200-metre event, while several other crews advanced deep into competition against national fields.

Across the three days of senior racing, almost every Redcliffe crew progressed to finals or came within striking distance of qualification. Two crews narrowly missed finals by margins of just 0.04 seconds and 0.65 seconds, illustrating how competitive the championships were and how close the club came to adding further finals appearances.

The Senior A Open 10s crew also delivered a strong campaign, reaching semi-finals in the 200-metre event and recording a fifth-place finish in the 500 metres.

Pink Snapdragons Make Their Nationals Debut Count

There was further cause for celebration within the wider Redcliffe dragon boating community through the efforts of the Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club.

Competing at the national level for the first time, the Pink Snapdragons reached the finals in both the 200-metre and 500-metre events against a field of 12 crews.

The club finished fourth in the 200 metres and sixth in the 500 metres, producing a memorable debut on the national stage. Their performances added another layer to an already successful championships campaign for the broader Redcliffe dragon boating community.

Local Waters Help Shape National Success

Based at Talobilla Park in Kippa-Ring, the Redcliffe Red Dragons train throughout the year on the Newport canals and Moreton Bay.

Club registrar, coach and paddler Iciar Argus credited the season’s preparation and commitment from paddlers, coaches and support crews for the results achieved at Lake Kawana. Club representatives noted that the performances reflected the effort invested throughout the season and provided strong momentum heading into future state and national competitions.

Founded in 2005, the club has grown to more than 95 members and says it welcomes new paddlers interested in the sport. The club says dragon boating is one of Australia’s fastest-growing water sports and welcomes newcomers interested in learning the sport and becoming part of a team environment.

Published 5-May-2026

Redcliffe Dragon Boat Teams Build Form Ahead Of April Nationals

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc./Facebook

Redcliffe dragon boat teams are building strong form ahead of April’s national championships at Lake Kawana after delivering multiple podium finishes and finals appearances at recent Queensland events.

Redcliffe Crews Step Up Ahead Of Lake Kawana

With the Australian Dragon Boat National Championships set for April 18 to 24 at Lake Kawana, Redcliffe Red Dragons have carried momentum from the Queensland Championships into the national lead-up. The club secured six medals from eight events and placed every crew into finals across the regatta, underlining consistent performance across divisions.

Four gold medals, one silver and one bronze were recorded, with the Senior A Mixed 10s and Senior B Women’s 10s crews claiming dual 2026 state titles in both the 500m and 200m events. Other finishes included fourth and fifth in Senior A Open 10s, alongside 15th in the Women’s 10s 1km and 10th in the Open 10s 1km. Ten members were also selected to represent Queensland across Senior B and Senior C categories.

Redcliffe dragon boats — *Photo Credit: Redcliffe Red Dragons/Facebook*

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Carry Form Into Nationals

The Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons enter the April championships following a consistent run of results across recent regattas and the Queensland Championships. The breast cancer survivor crew placed third overall among seven teams at the state event, finishing third in both the 500m and 200m races.

Earlier in the season, the team secured victory at the Battle of the Paddles Regatta in Broadbeach, improving times in challenging conditions to win the final. This was followed by another strong showing at the Te Waka Dragons Regatta on the Gold Coast, where the crew won both their heat and final.

The group’s recent performances reflect its continued development after a period of uncertainty, with the team now established as a growing presence within the Redcliffe dragon boating community.

dragon boat racing — *Photo Credit: Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc./Facebook*

Redcliffe Crews Set For National Competition

Both Redcliffe teams approach the April championships at Lake Kawana following strong state and regatta results, with performances across sprint events providing a clear benchmark ahead of national competition.

Across multiple crews and categories, the combination of state titles, medal finishes and consistent finals appearances places Redcliffe in a strong position entering the national regatta.

Published 3-April-2026

Redcliffe Club Marks Major Milestone With New Dragon Boat On The Water

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Red Dragons

Redcliffe paddlers welcomed a rare addition to their community fleet as a new dragon boat touched local waters for the first time, giving the Redcliffe Red Dragons a boost in training power and club pride at their home base in Redcliffe.

Community Effort Behind The New Boat

The celebration took place later, bringing together club members, supporters and local representatives to recognise months of planning and community support behind the arrival of the boat, known as Red Magic. The new dragon boat was secured through a mix of fundraising and sponsorship support from local businesses connected to the Redcliffe area. Club members said the effort showed how grassroots sport relies on strong ties between volunteers, families and small businesses. The boat was built to competition standards and is expected to be used for regular training sessions, races and community events along the Redcliffe waterfront.

Cultural Tradition And First Paddle

Before entering the water, the boat took part in a traditional dragon boat blessing. The ceremony included the symbolic dotting of the dragon’s eyes, a custom linked to safety and good fortune. After the blessing, paddlers took Red Magic onto the water for its maiden paddle, marking its official start as part of the club’s active fleet.

Local Leaders And Supporters Attend

The event drew attendance from local figures and sponsors who helped support the purchase. Their presence reflected the role community sport plays in Redcliffe, both as a fitness activity and a social outlet. Club representatives acknowledged contributions from businesses that assisted with signage and catering, saying each role helped make the day possible.

Building The Future Of Dragon Boating In Redcliffe

The Redcliffe Red Dragons plan to use the new boat to grow participation and introduce new members to the sport. Club organisers encouraged residents to get involved, noting dragon boating offers a team-based activity suited to a wide range of ages and fitness levels. The arrival of Red Magic strengthens the club’s capacity as interest in the sport continues to grow across the region.

Published 8-Jan-2026

Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club Roar to Victory at State Championships

The Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club made waves at this year’s State Championships, securing an impressive haul of five medals.

Read: Five-Storey Redcliffe Healthcare Hub Set for Development Across Moreton Hospital

Golden performance

Leading the charge, the Senior C Mixed team, comprising paddlers aged 60 and over, clinched gold in the 200m final.

The Dragons’ success extended beyond the gold, with other members bringing home two silver and two bronze medals. Notably, the Senior B Women’s 10s team featuring several first-year paddlers alongside the more experienced members secured a bronze medal.

A club spokesperson praised the team’s performance, attributing their success to the “determination and trust” displayed by all members. The Red Dragons’ achievements reflect their dedicated training regimen, with paddlers honing their technique and fitness up to three times a week.

About the Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club

Founded in 2005, the Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club now boasts 70 members from diverse backgrounds. While primarily catering to the over-50s demographic, the club welcomes paddlers of all ages, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for the sport.

The club takes advantage of its prime location, conducting year-round training sessions in the Redcliffe canals and Moreton Bay. This picturesque setting provides an ideal environment for both competitive training and enjoyable recreational paddling.

For Redcliffe residents looking to join a vibrant community sport, the Red Dragons offer regular come & try sessions. New paddlers can take advantage of the Dragon Pass, allowing a free first month to experience the sport before committing.

Community and inclusivity

The club’s community spirit extends to its affiliation with the Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons, a group supporting breast cancer survivors through dragon boating. This partnership underscores the Red Dragons’ commitment to inclusivity and community support.

Read: Mixed Reactions to Suttons Beach Pavilion Rebuild Plans

For more information about joining the Red Dragons, visit their site here or email them at redcliffedragons@gmail.com.

Published 26-June-2024