Chinese Youth League Dragon Boat (CYL Dragon Boat)

This trip reminded us that dragon boat is SO much more than what happens on the water…

It’s about the people who share the journey with you; mothers and son, mother and daughter, husband and wife, old friendships and new ones.

It’s the laughs, the stories, the nerves at the starting line, riding the chaos of HK’s merciless waters, the reunion with old friends, the new friendships made in the marshalling line, and all the little moments in between that make this team what it is.

Wearing the yellow jersey and representing CYL and Australia on the international stage is something we’ll never take for granted.

To race alongside elite crews from around the world was a privilege. Why? because it challenged us, inspired us, and reminded us there is always more to learn.

Thank you Hong Kong for welcoming us with such incredible energy and passion. A huge heartfelt thank you to hkdragonboat, Official IDBF, all organisers, volunteers, supporters, and participating teams who made the 50th anniversary celebration so special.

We came for the racing, but we leave with so much more… stronger bonds, lifetime memories, and a deeper appreciation for this sport we love 🇭🇰🇦🇺💛 Discover Hong Kong

“Mum, I’m on TV!!”

Seeing CYL Dragon Boat Club on Channel 9’s Weekend TODAY this morning was a real PINCH ME moment!

As we prepare to head to Hong Kong for the 50th Anniversary Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Championships (27-28 June) it’s pretty special to have our little corner of the dragon boat world shared on national TV.

This sport means a lot more to us than competitive racing; it’s opportunities to race on the international stage, sharing memories across three generations of family, and building lifelong friendships along the way.

Thank you to Channel 9’s Today Show for sharing our story with Australia.

Special shoutout to Discover Hong Kong and International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) for the opportunity to showcase our team, our story, and our passion for the sport.

Stay tuned to watch us and Aussie teams The Sloths, Down Under Dogs Australia make waves and race against international crews from all over, at Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong this weekend!

Watch and read the full segment here: https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/today-show/videos/aussie-teams-set-to-compete-in-hong-kong-at-international-dragon-boat-races/cmqn21qea00120hn3eyh7nny0

FASTEST MIXED SPRINT CREW IN AUSTRALIA 🥇

What a perfect ending to an INSANE season.

Just RAW emotion. PURE desire. And that reveal says it all.

Built together, raced together, delivered together.

CYL Mixed reclaimed Gold - in true winners’ style.

🥈🥈🥉 2026 AUSCHAMPS — OPENS

Second in the country. Twice.

3 days of racing and it came down to this… holding our place when everything’s telling you to let go.

Every distance, every race, when Sam and Tina demanded it, these boys found more.

🥈 200m - 00:50.12
Fast, clean, composed. Put themselves right up there and stayed there.

🥈 500m - 02:11.43
Long one. Stayed in their lane, sat in the pain cave and fought to the very last stroke.

🥉 1km Turns
Messy, tough, stayed in it and came away with third.

Nothing easy about any of it.
But finishing 2nd in the country (200 & 500) and 3rd in the 1km says enough.

Earned.

LFG boys 💪

🥇🥈 2026 AUSCHAMPS — WOMENS

Last weekend, our women rewrote CYL history.

Their 500m wasn’t just another race - it was the one.
The one that rewrote history.
For the first time in 42 years, our women stood on top of the podium and claimed gold in the small boat.

And it wasn’t luck - it was grit.

🥇 500m - 02:26.08.
The 500m hurt. Everyone felt it. But no one let go. No one backed off.
Because when it mattered most, they chose each other.
5 seconds from the heats. 2 more from the semis.
Just women backing women, pushing past limits together.

🥈 200m - 00:57.04.
Just 0.3 off gold. Close enough to sting, but powerful enough to show this is bigger than one race.

To the women before us - thank you for laying the path.
To the women in the sport - for raising the standard and showing what’s possible.

And to this crew… this is what happens when women believe in each other, back each other, and refuse to settle.

More of this. For 2027, and every girl watching. 💛💙