About Us

About the Canberra Griffins Dragon Boat Club

Founded in 1996, the Canberra Griffins Dragon Boat Club is one of the ACT’s longest-standing and most passionate dragon boat racing clubs. For three decades, we’ve been bringing people together through the thrill of paddling, the power of teamwork, and the joy of belonging to a welcoming, inclusive sporting community.

We invite everyone to give dragon boating a go — from first-time paddlers and social members to ACT and national representatives. Our crews train and race side by side, building strong foundations in technique, timing and teamwork, while always keeping fun and camaraderie at the heart of everything we do. At regattas, everyone gets their chance to paddle, contribute and shine.

Beyond our on-water training sessions, we value the opportunity to connect off the water. Whether it's over coffee, cake, or a meal, we love to get together after paddling. Throughout the season, we host a range of social and community events, including our festive Christmas party, end-of-season dinner, and volunteer activities at local sporting and charitable events — strengthening our connection to the wider Canberra community.

The Canberra Griffins are members of Dragon Boat ACT (DBACT), the governing body for dragon boating in the Australian Capital Territory. To learn more about the sport across the ACT, visit the DBACT website.

Our dedicated committee members are passionate about growing the club and ensuring it remains inclusive, supportive and open to anyone who wants to experience dragon boating. Alongside them, we are proud to have members who represent the Griffins at both state and national levels, showcasing the strength and spirit of our club on the bigger stage.

What is dragon boat racing?

Dragon boating is an energetic, fun and challenging team paddling sport that combines power, precision and teamwork.

A standard dragon boat crew includes 20 paddlers (two per bench), a sweep at the back who steers the boat, and a drummer at the front who drums to the rhythm. Working in perfect sync, the paddlers drive the boat forward using timing, technique, strength and endurance — all with one shared goal: crossing the finish line together, as fast as possible.

Racing categories include women’s, mixed and open crews, with common race distances of 200 metres, 500 metres and 2 kilometres.

Whether you’re looking to boost your fitness in a fun, social environment or chasing the adrenaline of competitive racing, there’s a seat for you in a dragon boat — and a place for you in the Canberra Griffins family.