Ballina’s Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club has returned from the national championships with a strong medal haul.

The club sent a 35-strong team to the Lake Kawana Rowing Centre on the Sunshine Coast, competing in 12 events across three days and collecting one silver and four bronze medals.

The result marks a successful return after seven years away from the Australian Championships, with the squad delivering one of the club’s strongest national performances.

The medals came in the over-60s division across 200m, 500m and 2km events, with several paddlers aged over 70 part of the crews.

Coach Carmel Smith said the performance reflected the club’s depth and long-term commitment.

“It was one of our strongest outings,” she said.

Closed course challenge

The championships attracted thousands of competitors from across the country, with some races featuring up to 20 crews.

Smith said the enclosed course required adjustment from the open-water conditions the team usually faces.

“We’re used to open water, so it was a bit different,” she said.

On the podium receiving 3rd place medals in the over-60s 200m event, Cathy and Stephen Hepworth.

Main photo: The Rainbow region team together on the Sunshine Coast.

Despite the change, the team handled the conditions without incident.

“We didn’t have any capsizes and stayed clear of trouble,” she said.

The club also performed strongly in highly competitive divisions, particularly among paddlers aged over 50.

“That was probably the most competitive age group,” Smith said.

From survivors to statewide strength

The mixed over-20s race comes across the finish line with the Ballina team in third place

The strong result comes as the club continues to build momentum, recently being recognised as the largest dragon boat club in New South Wales with 142 members.

Smith said the club’s origins continue to shape its culture.

“We started as a breast cancer survivors club,” she said.

That foundation has helped create a supportive and inclusive environment that continues to attract new members.

The sport itself has unique roots, originating in China where it was traditionally male-dominated, but evolving differently in Australia.

“It’s very good for the lymphatic system as you’re recovering from breast cancer,” Smith said.

Because of those health links, dragon boating became female-driven in Australia, though that balance is now shifting.

Club president Lu Cooney and husband Bede, with their haul of medals

“We’re seeing more men come into the sport, and we welcome anyone who wants to give it a go,” she said.

The club also runs school and community programs to encourage participation and support the next generation of paddlers.

Attention will now turn to upcoming regattas, including the club’s annual event at Shaw’s Bay in August, which draws teams from across the region and includes a popular community division for first-time paddlers.

Club state representatives, Mark Pitt, Ivy Yap, Lisa Donohoe and Matt Donohoe