The Forza Dragon Boat Club in Bunbury is giving community members the chance to get involved in the sport.
The club held an open day on Sunday, October 8, with participants working together to propell the dragon boat through the Leschenault inlet.
The group learned the basics of dragon boating with emphasis on the three Ts – timing, technique and teamwork.
The club taught participants how to hold a paddle, where to look in the boat, and how to understand demands.
The club will hold another have-a-go day on Sunday, October 15 at 10.30am, next to the Bunbury Rowing Club’s headquarters.
Forza Dragon Boat Club recruiting officer and participant Neville McNeill said the group welcomed anyone who wanted to try it.
“When they go in there they haven’t got a clue and when they come out they have got a bit of an idea on what it involves,” he said.
“Then we give them just a little bit of a sprint just to get the heart up.”
He said the sport helped with team building, strength, power, endurance and discipline.
Forza Dragon Boat Club coach Mark Kusin said it was a good Summer sport.
The club trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5.30pm and Sundays from 10am.
The group also holds regattas once per month during Summer.
Dragon boats are nine metres long and one metre wide, typically manned by 20 individuals working in unison.
The boats were used in ancient China for religious purposes to calm the rain gods.
Dragon boat racing has been a significant part of Chinese culture for over 2000 years.
The sport now has over 55 million participants globally.
Check out Forza Dragon Boat Club’s Facebook page or call 0408 927 646 for more information.
