Dragons Abreast : Tasmania

Dragons Abreast Tasmania – Hobart

General contact: 1300 889 566
or tasmania@dragonsabreast.com.au (Regional Representative Tasmania)
and hobart@dragonsabreast.com.au

Dragons Abreast Hobart began in 2003 with a small group of determined women, some of whom still paddle with us. Numbers have increased over the years and we now have a membership of 44 paddlers, 37 survivors and 7 supporters.

We have a fleet of 3 boats; Boobialla, Dragon Fly and Weedy Seadragon, which are all housed at the Lindisfarne Rowing Club.

Our three boats: Dragon Fly, Weedy Seadragon and Boobialla

During the warmer months we paddle 3 times a week; Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.00pm and Saturday mornings at 8.30am.

Being the public face for Breast Cancer survivors we endeavour to be in the public eye as much as possible.

In November of 2008 we took part in the Myer Christmas pageant. This was an occasion of much laughter and singing of our Dragon songs. Our Mammodragon caused quite a stir, although she proved a little frightening to some of the younger crowd.

Mammodragon at the Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant

In January after the Christmas break we held our annual paddle on the Huon River, a much anticipated event. We began our day at Huonville which is a traditional apple-growing town in Tasmania’s Huon Valley, 40kms south of Hobart. We paddled down the Huon River to Franklin and had a well earned cuppa. On our return to Huonville we had a communal picnic by the river. This was a chance to replace all the calories burned on the river!

Paddling on the Huon River

February saw us in Sydney for the second time to compete in the Dragon Boat Racing as part of the celebrations for Chinese New Year. This is always a memorable event with those take part thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere in Darling Harbour. Our efforts during the races enabled the crew to take part in the ‘Flowers on the Water’ ceremony; a very moving experience.

The Hobart Crew during the Flowers on the Water Ceremony

Dragons Abreast Tasmania ( Hobart)

In March we were invited to attend Focus on Franklin. This too was a most enjoyable occasion. Saturday evening we joined a flotilla of craft decorated with lights for a night time sail past on the Huon River. Our Dragon Fly presented a fantastic picture with lots of colourful Chinese lanterns suspended over the length of the boat and highlighting her head and tail. The following day we raced against a whale boat – and won! After the event some of the crew switched places with the whale boat crew - an interesting experience for all.

Dragon Fly on the Huon River at Franklin

In April we hosted a mini regatta with 5 boats competing. Crews were made up of survivors, supporters from Dragons Abreast Hobart and sports teams from the Derwent Storm Dragon Boat Club. We had a fun day on the water followed by a delicious morning tea at the Lindisfarne Rowing Club.

Our club welcome new members so if you are a breast cancer survivor and feel you would like to experience the fun and support of being a part of dragon boating please phone 1300 889 566 or contact hobart@dragonsabreast.com.au for more information. Alternatively, come along to Lindisfarne Rowing Club at 8.15 on Saturday mornings and meet the girls. Prospective members are able to have a trial of 3 paddles for a fee of $20.00 dollars.

Picture taken from the Lindisfarne Rowing Club