Auckland Dragon Boat Association
Auckland Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) – your regional home for dragon boating in Auckland, New Zealand. We're a registered not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation committed to building a safe, inclusive and fun sporting community. If you're a seasoned paddler, or curious to try, there's a place you with us.
Our role and reach
We are the official Regional Sports Organisation (RSO) for dragon boatingm affiliated with both the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association (NZDBA) and the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).
We currently support:
- 14 adult dragon boat crews (Mixed, Womens, Breast Cancer Survivors)
- Secondary school crews (Affliated through College Sport)
Each year, we have approximately 600 active members, aged 12 - 80+, proving that dragon boating truly is a sport for all New Zealand.
What we do
At the Auckland Dragon Boat Association we:
- Provide training facilities, equipment, and safety craft
- Mentorship and coaching
- Organise events like the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta at the Auckland Viaduct, the Regional Dragon Boat Championships at Lake Pupuke, and Give it a Go sessions at Westhaven Marina
- Run ongoing community programs and inter-club competition
Our values and culture
ADBA is built on the foundation of:
- Inclusivity - We welcome paddlers from all backgrounds
- Whānau spirit - Celebrating teamwork, friendship, and support across clubs
- Volunteer leadership - Every member pull a paddle (sometimes literally) to keep this sport thriving
- Safety and professionalism - We prioritise safe training and competitive integrity
Why we stand out
- A proud registered charity and incorporated society
- Competely paddler-run - our gear, events, and success are powered by volunteerrs
- Strong community partnerships, making the the waterways of Auckland a home for dragon boat sport
Join us
Ready to experience dragon boating? Look through out website to:
- Find your club
- Check out upcoming training and Give it a go sessions
- Learn about coaching, sweep training and how to volunteer
We are a registered
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.
- Auckland Dragon Boat Association began in 1998
- We became a registered society in 2008 (2166967)
- We are a registered charity (CC44176)
