In 1999, four dragon boat clubs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast joined to form the Queensland Dragon Boat Federation, and in 2015 saw a name change to Dragon Boat Queensland.

This was the first step on the path of this sport becoming the body that it is today over 1400 paddlers state wide and the financial recognition from Queensland Sport and Recreation to develop further develop of the sport.

DBQ previously known as QDBF is the state governing body for dragon boating in Queensland and it was formed to give clubs and paddlers an opportunity to represent their country, but has become much more.

Being part of a collective body means clubs have access to equipment to host regattas, a team of volunteers dedicated to the management and development of the sport and assistance to access available funding and marketing tools.

Membership of the Federation has grown rapidly with 34 clubs and a total of 1500 members for 2015 with more clubs forming.

Queensland has had the opportunity of hosting the Australian Dragon Boat Championships in 2002, 2009 and 2014 at Stock land Park on the Sunshine Coast. Paddlers from around the country will converge on Queensland to battle it out on the water.

Dragon Boat Queensland is going from strength to strength and with support from the Sport and Recreation Development Program, the possibilities are limitless.

Dragon Boat Queensland has been very successful in the DBQ Junior Development Club – QLD Sonics set up by Sylvia Nugent and Paul Jarvis in 2011.

The QLD Sonics have gone from strength to strength, representing in local club regattas, State Titles and Australian Championship.

18 QLD Sonics were very fortunate to represent the Junior Auroras in the World Championships in Hungary 2013.


QUEENSLAND FLAG BEARERS

At the Australian Championships held every year, it is a privilege to be named Queensland Flag Bearer. DBQ and its paddlers would like to congratulate the following members on their achievement:-

2012 Docklands Melbourne Dallas Piwari – Member of Brisbane River Dragons

2013 Penrith Sydney Anthony Skipper – Member of Te Waka Dragons

2014 Sunshine Coast Queensland Gayle Barnett – Member of Cooloola Dragons

2015 Champion Lakes Western Australia Maggie Boyce – Member of Brisbane River Dragons.

2016 A.M. Ramsay Regatta Course, West Lakes South Australia - Doug Davies - Member of Manly Dragon Boat Club.