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Bathurst Pan Dragons (BPD) is a friendly and inclusive club which is open to any person over 10 years old and any fitness level. The club caters for social and competitive paddlers and regularly competes in regattas within Australia and abroad (COVID-19 permitting). BPD fosters a social atmosphere on and off the water and will on many occasions meet for coffee or a meal after paddling. We welcome any interested individual (male or female) to come and try this great sport (first five paddling sessions at no cost).
Where?
Ben Chifley Dam, Bathurst, NSW, Australia
Meeting point is the boat ramp opposite the cabins
When?
Daylight saving (Summer): Sunday 8.30 am, Tuesday 5.30 pm and Thursday 6.30 AM
Outside daylight saving (Winter): Sunday 9 am and Thursday 6.30 AM
Members use a facebook messenger group to stay in touch and distribute information. Contact the club to be added to the group (members only).
Anyone, feel free to like our BPD facebook page and instagram page to follow what is happening in the club.
What to bring
Wear comfortable clothing like T-shirt, shorts, leggings, spray jacket.
COVERED TOE footwear (water shoes or Keens or old running shoes).
Water bottle, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (a strap can help reduce them getting lost).
We supply
Paddles, lifejackets/PFDs (compulsory for non-swimmers & juniors), experienced coaches and mentoring.
Cost
The first five (5) paddling sessions are at no cost. The participant waiver form must be filled out and brought with you (club has forms available if you are unable to print one yourself).
After this, membership to Bathurst Pan Dragons is $250 adults (18+), $196 young adults (18-24 yrs) & $122 juniors (10-17 yrs), this includes DBNSW insurance. Membership period is per year, commencing with the membership payment. This covers insurance, equipment, access to all training sessions, voting at meetings and the ability to participate in regattas.
What to do now
(1) Print & fill out the participant waiver form and bring it with you to your first paddling session.
(2) Email pandragons.website@gmail.com to let us know when you are coming.
(3) To paddle after the no cost Dragon Pass sessions, you need to join the club - membership form here.
Visiting paddlers from other clubs
If you are a current member with another dragon boat club and are visiting Bathurst, we would be pleased for you to come and paddle at one of our sessions at beautiful Chifley Dam.
Contact us on pandragons.website@gmail.com
What our members say
"I like dragon boating because I have met so many amazing people and formed lifelong friendships. I get to exercise in a really fun way and in beautiful surroundings."
"The reason I love dragon boating is it's a great way to exercise. I love the team spirit, social gatherings and the opportunities to travel to dragon boating events near and far ... such a great sport."
"Dragon boating provides me with a form of mindfulness and mental well-being. I love getting into the rhythm of paddling together with the whole boat and allowing my mind to destress."
"When I moved to Bathurst I met so many new friends through dragon boating. Chifley Dam is so beautiful, I love seeing the swans and wildlife that the dam attracts. It's really grounding and recharging."
"I love that I have been able to travel Australia and the world through the sport of dragon boating."
"The reason I dragon boat is because it's a chance to be on the waterways of Australia and beyond, creating lifelong friendships and the great sense of teamwork and fun."
"I like dragon boating because of the three Fs: Fun, fitness and friendship."
Social versus competitive paddling
Some members prefer to only paddle socially while others represent the club in regattas within Australia and even internationally. Once you have been paddling for a while you may wish to compete in these regattas if deemed suitable by the coaches. Some paddlers have also been successful in being selected for the Western Region Team to represent our region at state level.
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