Our Roots
Steeped in Ancient Chinese History
Until the late 1980s, dragon boat racing was a hidden gem outside the Chinese community. Today, it stands as one of the fastest-growing athletic events globally.
Dragon boating's rise to fame can be traced back to the Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong, which has hosted international competitions since 1976. This ancient sport's traditions and history have been passed down through the centuries, with much of its lore preserved in these vibrant races.
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According to legend, in 400 BC, the Chinese statesman and revered poet Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River to protest the corrupt regime of the Chu Dynasty. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, around 278 BC, Qu Yuan, with his arms clasped around a massive rock, walked into the river and ended his life. It is said that on the shores of the Miluo, he composed one of his most beautiful poems as a farewell to the world. Here is an excerpt:
"Many a heavy sigh I heaved in my despair, |
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Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him but were too late. To prevent his body from being eaten by fish, they beat their paddles furiously on the water and threw rice as a sacrifice to his spirit. Today, we commemorate his death each year at the spectacular Dragon Boat Festivals worldwide. |
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History in Auckland
Canoeists Led the Way
In 1984, the North Shore Canoe Club entered a team into the Dragon Boat World Competition without ever training in a dragon boat, and they performed exceptionally well. This success sparked discussions about bringing the sport to New Zealand as a fun way to get people active, and dragon boating quickly took off.
The Early Days: Lycra, Fluoros, and Street Parades
In 1988, Alan Smythe launched the event in Auckland with the enthusiastic support of spokesmen Paul McDonald and Ian Ferguson. By 1989, dragon boating was also established in Wellington. In those days, vibrant lycra and fluorescent colors were in vogue. Queen Street was closed off for Friday afternoon parades where 100 teams showcased their spirit with loud chants and songs. The parade culminated in an opening ceremony at Princess Wharf, followed by two days of thrilling races with boats often capsizing or crashing in the big wakes from speeding ferries and boats.
Evolution and Adaptation
In subsequent years, races moved to Viaduct Harbour, offering a shorter course full of color and crowd-pleasing action. Although our older boats were a bit shaky, they guaranteed at least one dramatic capsize to entertain the crowds.
Transition to a Community-Run Sport
In 2008, during the recession, sponsorships were pulled, and team fees had become prohibitively expensive at $5,500 + GST for limited training and events. To save the sport, a group of dedicated coaches, sweeps, and paddlers formed a non-profit incorporated society. They halved the fees, offered unlimited training over six months, and organised monthly races, all without sponsorship. The premier event at the Viaduct was replaced with beach races, saving thousands of dollars. Since then, teams have thrived with pop-up marquees and lakeside events, and the quality of paddling has continually improved. Auckland now hosts training all year round, with regular events, including internationally certified races, and our teams frequently compete in world competitions.
Achieving International Standards
By 2010, the Auckland Regional Dragon Boat Races met the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) requirements as an IDBF Certified* Regional Championship. Our events feature GPS-measured 200m, 500m, and 2km race distances, with marked lanes and depths of 10m to 65m at Lake Pupuke. We use IDBF-certified boats, record race timings to the thousandth of a second, and employ IDBF-certified officials and accredited sweeps.
* IDBF Certified Regional Championships races are to the standard set out by the International Dragon Boat Federation