Taranaki Dragons

The Heartbeat of the IBCPC Festival: Joy, Passion, and a Homecoming in France - International Dragon Boat Federation The IBCPC Participatory Festival is a global celebration of resilience, connection, and life after breast cancer, bringing thousands of paddlers together every four years. The 2026 Festival in Aix‑les‑Bains, France will be the largest ever, uniting teams from around the world in a powerful displ...

We had a wonderful time at our 'Mid winter Christmas' end of season brunch this morning. But, it's a bit odd calling it our 'end of season' brunch, as we decided we're not actually going to stop paddling this winter🤪
It was awesome to see all the different Christmassy people walking in through the doors of Gustos...top effort everyone, but a special mention must go to Alison, with her innovative 'haute couture' design which was certainly a stand out🎅🎄
Thankyou to our co presidents Valda and Caroline for their speech, which summerised our season so well, celebrating the ups of our season, including our new male members, our continued improvements on the water, our amazing safety boat drivers, our sweeps and trainee sweeps and also those who work quietly behind the scenes to help keep our club moving forward. We also took a moment to acknowledge our 2 precious paddlers Yo and Karen who passed away since we celebrated our paddling season last year. Although they may no longer paddle alongside us, they remain with us everytime we go out on the water💙
As part of our celebrations, trophies were presented to 2 very worthy winners.
Firstly, The Barbara Stewart trophy. This was decided by last years recipient Julie and was awarded to someone who does a huge amount for our club, mainly behind the scenes. Colleen, Congratulations on winning this special trophy, you are such a worthy recipient🥰
Our 2nd trophy, 'The Dragons' Choice', is a new trophy this year and was decided by our members. Congratulations Carolien on becoming the inaugural winner of this fine looking dragon,🥰

So, with paddling continuing through the winter, we will hopefully hit the start of the new season on the front foot with pre season fitness and with renewed energy for when our competitive training starts.

If you, or you know anyone that would love to join Taranaki's only Dragonboat club, have fun while getting fit and get to dress up for Christmas in July, come along and join us for some free sessions ....but be warned, you won't want to stop!😉😏

See you on the awa🥰

It was a crisp, sunny, beautiful Sunday morning for our club paddle this morning🌞and the TD crew were on fire🔥
The water was stunning, just like the effort inside the boat!! Top job dragons💙 🐉
We're sure our newbie on board loved it as much as we did👌

One of our very own Wāhine Toa Kim, along with her Taranaki Outrigger Canoe Club Waka Ama team, have qualified to go to the IVF Va'a World Sprint Championships in August over in Singapore🌴🏅🌊👏

So, to help Kim with some of the costs on this self funded trip, we're holding a Bingo night at The Stumble Inn on Monday July 6th at 6.30pm.

Grab your friends, family, teamates, drinking mates, gym buddies, work colleagues, randoms off the street walking their dog if they have nothing else to do and come join us with a pocket full of cash, it's going to be a fabulous evening with raffles and spot prizes and you know its going to be heaps of fun, because the Taranaki Dragons are going to be there in full support mode for our Kim too!! 🐲
Why not make a full night of it and book a table for dinner before the fun starts, the food is top notch but get in quick..these bingo nights are always popular!
Cmon...you know you want to😉🥰

Another beautiful day in the Naki and we couldn't have asked for better weather to farewell our cheeky Chilean, Miguel.💙

Miguel, you have become an important member on our team and we are so sad that you are leaving. We will miss the laughs, the strength you bring to our boat, the mischeviousness and definately the hugs, but we all wish you the best on your new farming adventure in Thames.

We hope the 'moove' goes well and that you 'milk' the rewards that your new position will offer. You will 'udderly' rock it! But, you'd 'butter' come back and see us when you can, as you have become legen'dairy' in these parts😉
Just remember, its not goodbye, but see you later...there is always a seat in our boat for you!
Love from your Taranaki Dragon teamates💙

Join us at the Kiwi Pinks Dragon Boat Team Bingo Night 6.30pm Monday 18th May at Stumble Inn, 198 Mangorei Road.

This is an awesome story...
what an amazing gesture from these UK Dragon boat clubs💙💛 we are part of an incredible community🥰

Ukraine: Dragon boats bound for Odesa to rehabilitate soldiers Dragon boats donated by teams across England are on the way to Odesa to help rehabilitate soldiers.