History of Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon boat racing has a rich history rooted in Chinese culture and tradition. It is commonly associated with the story of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman who drowned himself in the Miluo River in the third century BC. According to legend, local people raced out in their boats to try to save him, beating their paddles against the water and throwing rice into the river to protect his body.
Today, dragon boat racing is celebrated around the world, particularly during the annual Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month of the traditional Chinese calendar. What began as a cultural tradition has grown into an exciting international water sport, bringing people together through teamwork, fitness, competition and community.
History of Lakers Dragon Boat Club WA
From humble beginnings to racing success
Lakers Dragon Boat Club WA was established in 2008 as part of the Champion Lakes Boating Club, based at Champion Lakes in Armadale, Western Australia. Our name reflects our home at Champion Lakes, where our paddlers come together to train, compete and build lasting friendships.
We entered our first competitive season in 2009/10 with modest crews and big ambitions. In 2011, the club celebrated its first taste of success, winning bronze medals at the State Championships.
Since then, Lakers has continued to grow from strength to strength.
In 2013, we secured our first State Championship gold medal and sent our first crew to compete at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships in Penrith, New South Wales. That same year, club members represented Western Australia at state level, while two of our paddlers achieved another significant milestone by representing Australia at the World Championships in Szeged, Hungary.
In 2015, Champion Lakes Regatta Centre hosted the Australian Dragon Boat Championships. Racing on our home waters, Lakers claimed our first national medals, winning two bronze medals in the Under 24s category. We followed this with another two Under 24s bronze medals in Adelaide the following season.
In 2016, Lakers finished the WA club season as Champion Club, marking another proud moment in our journey and reflecting the dedication and commitment of our paddlers and coaches.
Making history in 2026
Our journey continues, and we're proud of how far our club has come.
At the 2026 Australian Dragon Boat Championships, Lakers reached a new milestone by making our first ever 500m grand final in the Premier Mixed 10s category. This achievement represents the hard work, teamwork and determination of our paddlers and coaches, and marks an exciting chapter in the club's competitive journey.
The Lakers family today
Today, Lakers Dragon Boat Club WA is one of Western Australia's largest dragon boat clubs. We continue to build on our proud history while welcoming new paddlers of all backgrounds, fitness levels and abilities.
Whether you're looking to try something new, stay active, make friends or pursue competitive racing, there's a place for you at Lakers.
Family that paddles together, stays together.
Come and be part of our story — join the Lakers family and discover where your paddling journey can take you!
