For James Matthews and his family, dragon boating is more than a sport – it’s a community.
The Sunshine Coast local’s passion for paddling began at the age of 11, when his parents Deb and John introduced him to the sport. Now, 22 years later, James has achieved remarkable success, competing at club, state and international levels.
This weekend the family’s passion and perseverance will be on full display as the Dragon Boat Queensland (DBQ) State Championships hit Lake Kawana.
“It’s rare to share a sport across decades as a family, to train together, compete together,” said Deb, who both coaches and paddles, while John is an accredited sweep.
“Dragon boating gave us more than a sport. It’s given us shared memories, resilience and community.”
The state championships will bring a blend of ancient Chinese culture and modern competitive racing to the Sunshine Coast from Friday, March 13, to Sunday, March 15.
The championships are not just a celebration of athletic prowess but also a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of dragon boat racing, with participants and spectators experiencing the vibrant spirit of the time-honoured tradition.
Dragon boat clubs from as far south as Tweed Heads and as far north as Cairns will converge on the Sunshine Coast to compete for specially created medals with artwork by Yuwaalaraay artist Kyel Dancey, in collaboration with graphic designer Daniel Romeo.
“We wanted something that reflected who we are as a community and where this sport comes from,” DBQ board member Ben Livingstone said of the medals.
“Australia is home to the world’s oldest living culture. Dragon boating comes from one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Bringing those two stories together felt powerful, respectful and right.”
The art includes Indigenous Australian motifs expressed through flowing linework, river pathways and concentric circles that represent Country, movement and the gathering spirit of clubs at regattas. Interwoven with this is the Chinese dragon, the protector and life force of dragon boat racing, honouring the sport’s origins and traditions that have travelled across generations and oceans.
The event will feature competitors from 31 clubs. On Friday 641 athletes will tackle the 1km and 2km races, while on Saturday 915 athletes will face 500m races. On Sunday 938 athletes will race over 200m.
