Auroras

The Auroras are Australia's national dragon boating team.  Australia competes strongly on the international stage at World Championship events which take place biennially.  We also compete in the Asian Dragon Boat Championships every other year, as well as in the World Cup.  The Auroras are one of Australia's few sporting elite that get to compete in mixed crews right up to the very top level.  There are also national teams right through from juniors to Seniors.

The ‘Auroras’ is a unique label and joins other national team brands as a powerful sporting identity. In 2010 the Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF) unveiled the first national team to be open to paddlers from all states and territories, following a move away from the state-based selection system of previous international campaigns. To mark the occasion, AusDBF asked the Australian paddling community to submit their suggestion for a team name that would become our national crews identity. The paddlers selected for the 2010 Asian Championships cast a secret ballot to select the new name.

The Auroras was adopted for our national team, and has been embraced by the Australian Dragon Boat community. It is a unique label, and joins other national team brands like the Wallabies, Opals, Socceroos, and Matildas as a powerful sporting national identity.

​How can a Paradragon participate?

​Paradragons can be part of a club that mainly has unimpaired paddlers or be part of a club specifically formed as a Paradragon club.  Pretty much any club anywhere in the world will welcome a Paradragon paddler and although there are many fewer Paradragon clubs, their numbers are increasing. If you are interested in finding out more, email AusDBF at info@ausdbf.com.au  or the relevent State Association (connect to from front landing page)

PD1 - every paddler in the crew has a recognised impairment 

PD2 - 50% of paddlers has a recognised impairment

The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) has a racing class known as 'PARADRAGONS'. Further information on how to become involved with the ParaDragons and become a ParaAthlete - Email - paradragons@ausdbf.com.au

Acknowledging Our Auroras

The table below acknowledges the number campaigns members have represented Australia at World Championships, Asian Championships and World Cup between 1995 to 2023. 

Note: Early history may not be 100% accurate, but 3,194 names have been recorded as having represented Australia in the above mentioned events.

IDBF World Championships - Australian Flag Bearers and Australian Team Captains (first appointed 2008)

Asian Championships - Australian Flag Bearers and Team Captains

World Cup - Australian Flag Bearers and Team Captains