News

MEDIA RELEASE

15 September 2026  

Australian clubs shine at the 15th IDBF Club Crew World Championships

More than 400 Australian athletes travelled to Hualien, Chinese Taipei, for the 15th IDBF Club Crew World Championships, held from 29 August to 6 September.

Australia was represented by 18 clubs: ACCA, Black Sea Dragons, Brisbane River Dragons, Derwent Storms, Dragon Masters, Flamin Dragons, Gold Coast Dragons, Great Lakes Pearl Dragons, KIN Dragons, Komodo Paddle Club, Mako Paddle Club, Melbourne Flames, Nowra Waterdragons, Peninsula Dragonflys, Ryde DBC, St Scholastica’s College, Sydney Spirit and Te Waka.

The championships brought together 162 clubs from 20 countries for 386 races across six days. Crews contested standard and small boat racing over multiple distances, with mixed, open and women’s categories spanning Junior, 24U/University, BCP, ACP, Paradragons, Premier and Senior A, B and C classes.

Australian medal success

Australian clubs delivered an outstanding campaign, winning 15 medals: five gold, five silver and five bronze.

Melbourne Flames: Silver — Senior A Women’s Small Boat 200m

Melbourne Flames: Silver — Senior A Women’s Small Boat 500m

Melbourne Flames: Bronze — Senior A Women’s Small Boat 2000m

St Scholastica’s College: Bronze — Junior Women’s Small Boat 200m

St Scholastica’s College: Gold — Junior Women’s Small Boat 500m

St Scholastica’s College: Gold and silver — Junior Women’s Small Boat 2000m

Sydney Spirit: Silver — BCP Small Boat 200m

Sydney Spirit: Bronze — BCP Small Boat 500m

Sydney Spirit: Bronze — BCP Small Boat 2000m

Dragon Masters: Gold — ACP Small Boat 200m

Dragon Masters: Gold — ACP Small Boat 500m

Dragon Masters: Gold — ACP Small Boat 2000m

ACCA: Bronze — Senior A Mixed Small Boat 500m

Gold Coast Dragons: Silver — Senior C Mixed Small Boat 500m

Racing spirit shines through
Although rain fell every day, it did little to diminish the spirit, camaraderie and quality of competition. Athletes praised the Hualien venue and the Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association hosts. Set against a mountain backdrop, the course featured pristine water and wide, deep lanes that supported excellent racing and fast times.

How to follow the Championships

·        Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/@idbf-dragonboat-sport/live

·        IDBF Facebook updates: https://www.facebook.com/idbf.dragonboat.sport/

      https://www.facebook.com/ausdbf/#