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The sport of Dragon Boating is unique in the sporting world by virtue of:
- Having 22 in a crew
- The wide range of age groups
- The various categories of competition e.g. Mixed, Open, Junior, Women’s, Grand Masters, etc.
- The various distances of races 200m to 2,000m
- The full range of competitive levels from club to world championships.
Competitive Level and Event Selection Guide
One of the keys to your enjoyment is selecting the competitive level and the event/s at which you would like to participate as the training and activity guidance varies based these choices.
Choosing a competitive level that suits your ambition and lifestyle will enhance your enjoyment and satisfaction.
The levels are a guide and there may be some variation according to the exact approach taken by the individual coach.
Summary of Competitive Levels
School competition
Level 1
Is for those in their teenage years participating in school competitions. The activity programs are specifically designed around the age profile of these participants and recognises that this level is competitive.
Fitness, Health, Healthy Weight and Wellbeing
Level 2
For club paddling and the Club competition level. The activity programs are compatible for those who want to achieve and maintain life fitness, health, healthy weight and overall wellbeing. The activity profiles are as recommended by heart, diabetes and cancer groups to maintain good health.
Level 3
Is for paddling at the State level without a commitment to pursuing a higher level of competitive performance. This is a step up from level 2 and will provide the experience of attending a higher level of competition.
Whether or not you compete at this level, this activity profile is compatible with attaining weight loss and substantial fitness gains.
Being competitive at State, National and International events
Level 4
Is a step up from level 3 and is aimed at being competitive in finals at state championships. The conditioning level required to progress through the qualification series of heats, repechage, semi-finals and finals does require a higher level of conditioning.
Level 5
Potentially a higher competitive level than level 4 as now the teams you are competing against are from over Australia versus being within a State or Territory.
Your recuperation powers which come from your level of fitness are put under greater competitive pressure to progress through the higher level of competition experienced in the qualification series of heats, repechage, semi-finals and finals.
Level 6
Aimed at doing well in International events is of course the most competitive environment of all and requires the most sophisticated of preparations.
Rest assured your Dragon Boat Performance team appreciates this level of competition. We have either competed in or been involved in the preparation of elite athletes at the Olympic, World Championship, World Cup and other premier international events.
Summary of Event Levels
The type of conditioning provided will at times vary based on your selection of your favoured events. Physiologically these events call on different athletic responses for which you can train. In the Dragon Boat Performance System you can rank your competitive distance preferences. The times demonstrated for the different events are the range of times at an elite level.
| Dragon Boat events | |
| 200m events | Approximate competition times 45 to 60 seconds |
| 500m events | Approximate competition times 1m55s to 2m30s |
| 1,000m events | Approximate competition times 3m50s to 5m |
| 2,000m events | Approximate competition times 10m to 12m |
