A World Cup style event

This event differs from usual regattas. The world cup style concept being trialled involves a team competing in both Mixed 20s and Open and Womens 10s crews across a range of distances:

• clubs enter a ‘fixed’ team of up to 28 paddlers (including sweeps and drummers and emergencies) in a category. All athletes must be entered on the team list. This list is set at the start of the competition and remains the same over the three days
• age categories – Juniors (10-18 maximum*); Premier (no age restriction); Seniors 40+, Seniors 55+, Cancer Survivors and Supporters (no age restriction)

NOTE* - by 31 December 2021

• maximum two teams per club per category
• all teams compete in a suite of 100m, 200m, 500m and 1km races
• all events will be in 20s boats.  

Preliminary timetable (TBC)

• Day 1 - Friday 16 April (Start - 8.30am)

100 metre sprints - Mixed 20s; 200 metres - Open and Womens 10s (accumulated times)

• Day 2 - Saturday 17 April

I km turns race - Open and Womens 10s compete in the same race in separate boats e.g. Women’s boats start 30 seconds before Open crews. The time will start when the Women’s team starts and will stop when the second crew (Men or Women) has crossed the finish line.

• Day 3 – Sunday 18 April (Finish approx. 2.30pm)

500 metres - Mixed 20s

Each day is divided into:

• AM – Premier, Juniors/Cancer Survivors and Supporters (TBC)
• PM – Seniors 40+, Seniors 55+, Juniors/Cancer Survivors and Supporters (TBC)

Number of teams in a category – ‘capped’ at:

• 24 Premier
• 6 Cancer Survivors and Supporters
• 24 Seniors 40+ and Seniors 55+
• 6 Juniors

‘Capping’ means those applying through the Expression of Interest process will be given first priority to participate. It also ensures the total number of paddlers attending the event at any one time is limited to easily comply with current COVID-19 restrictions on attendance at sporting events in Victoria.

NOTE 1:  Additional places may be available following the Expression of Interest process depending on the number of entries received.

NOTE 2:  If there are fewer entries than available in any categories, the program will be adjusted, where possible, to increase the number of races in that or other categories.

Crew composition

• Mixed boats – a maximum of 10 male paddlers. Sweep and drummer of either gender.
• Open boats – sweep and drummer of either gender.
• Womens boats – all female crew including sweep and drummer.
• Cancer Survivors – in the first instance we are seeking Expressions of Interest from clubs able to enter a team which meets the DBV definition of a cancer survivor as any DBV member who has had a diagnosis of cancer.  This is an inclusive policy which enables the participation of breast cancer survivors associated with Dragons Abreast clubs and from within other clubs, as well as female and male survivors of other cancers.  Sweeps and drummers can be cancer survivors or supporters.

NOTE: It is recognised that there will be queries about the potential composition of teams in this category and individual paddler participation dependent upon whether this category is scheduled for the morning or afternoon sessions.

• Written exemptions can be applied for if unable to meet the above criteria and considered with a view to enabling flexibility and encouraging participation in a fair manner.

• Clubs can combine with other clubs to enter the event or build a team with individual members from a number of clubs. If a club recruits paddlers from another dragon boat club they must get permission to do so from that club.
• Clubs can also recruit non-dragon boat members for this event to assist with recruitment to the sport.  These ‘new’ members might include ex-paddlers, kayakers, outriggers and canoeists.  Each club would need to ensure however, that these members are covered under the AusDBF insurance arrangements e.g. in Victoria the use of the Dragon Pass may apply; DBV will assist clubs in the use of the Dragon Pass.
• Athletes must be registered on the RevSPORT website for administrative, safety and COVID control requirements.