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About

WE LOVE DRAGON BOATING!

Welcome to the Auckland Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) – Auckland’s premier not-for profit Regional Sports Organisation (RSO). Rooted in the heart of Auckland, we are dedicated to creating a thriving sporting community. As a registered charity, our mission is to empower the growth of our 400 members and teams, enabling them to excel in their pursuits throughout the season from October to April.

At the core of our ethos lies the commitment to provide a secure, encouraging, and enjoyable environment for all. Our regionally tailored sports program encompassed a balanced blend of camaraderie, skill building and professionalism. Designed to cater to diverse community groups, youth and adult teams, our initiative embraces the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.

Since its inception in 1998, dragon boating has taken Auckland by storm. In 2008, we took a significant stride by formalising our presences as a registered society under number 2166967. Further underscoring our dedication, we gained charity status (CC44176), solidifying our status as a collective run by passionate paddlers, for paddlers.

We support our teams in training and attending events such as the Auckland and Kai Iwi Training camps, the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, and the Auckland Regional Dragon Boat Championships. Our reputation is built on good sportsmanship and a passion for making dragon boat racing accessible to everyone. With a dedicated network of sweeps, paddlers, and coaches, we ensure this non-profit initiative is both fun and rewarding.

We are run by paddlers for paddlers. This keeps costs low and allows us to train year-round with regular races.

Our Goal

Our mission is to promote, facilitate, and develop the sport of dragon boating in Auckland by providing training facilities, equipment, support craft, rescue operators, mentoring, and events. Our teams include:

  • Breast cancer survivor - open ages
  • Mixed teams - open ages
  • Women's teams - open ages and Senior A (40+)
  • Secondary School U19 Mixed teams
  • Secondary School U19 Girls teams
  • Secondary Schools U19 Boys teams

Our members range from 12 to 80+ years old, proving that dragon boating is a sport for all ages.

We currently train at two locations in Auckland, and this all depends on weather. The locations are only 15 minutes apart

  • Westhaven Marina, Auckland City Centre
  • Lake Pupuke, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland

Our Vision

The Auckland Dragon Boat Association aims to provide a regionally based, safe, supportive, fun, and professionally focused sports program. We encourage participation from community groups, youth, and adult teams. Whether you're an individual or part of a group, a novice or an elite athlete, our program is accessible and welcoming to all.

Our Affiliation

ADBA is the Regional Sports Organization (RSO) for Auckland, affiliated with the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association (NZDBA), which in turn is affiliated with the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).

We are a Registered Charity

As a community-based sport, the Auckland Dragon Boat Association is powered by volunteers. Each year, our committee members, coaches, team managers, captains, and boat steerers contribute countless hours to manage and facilitate our activities. We are proud to be a not-for-profit registered charity (registration number CC44176).

 

The purpose of the Auckland Dragon Boat Association Inc Society are:

  1. To develop, organise and promote social and competitive sport of dragon boating amongst adult and school teams in the Auckland Region
  2. To promote codes of conduct for members and management that are exemplary and to endorse the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship in and between teams at all times.
  3. To protect and maintain the assets of the Auckland Dragon Boat Association and the NZ Dragon Boat Association
  4. To work under the NZDBA racing rules
  5. To support regional, national, and international championship competition in the spirit of the Olympic Charter
  6. Do anything necessary or helpful to the above purposes.
  7. Pecuniary gain is not a purpose of the Society.