Sydney Lunar Festival Dragon Boat Races

We’re super excited about the Community Bank’s partnership with Dragon Boat NSW for the upcoming Lunar New Year events.  With the City of Sydney is handing over the baton to Dragon Boat NSW after many years of supporting and promotion of the event.  Dragon Boat NSW and the community’s goal is to lift the event each year and transform the event into a celebtration of community and sport. One that stays in people’s mind as a feature over summer and a main event under the umbrella of the City of Sydney’s Lunar New Year festival……starting with 2023.

Key dates

Jan 27^th Friday 6.30pm to 8pm  Opening Ceremony at Darling Harbour
Jan 28^th Saturday 8am to 5pm    Dragon Boat Races at Darling Harbour
Jan 29^th Sunday 8am to 5pm      Dragon Boat Races at Darling Harbour
Jan 29^th Sunday 5.30pm         Community Bank hospitality at Dixon St Haymarket
Jan 29^th Sunday 6.30pm         Closing Ceremony at Dixon St Haymarket

The Team

We have a talented team behind the event.  Dragon Boat NSW’s new CEO, Tony Henderson, who has an event management background from Surf Life Saving and Cycling Australia, Gavin Mitford has been engaged as Creative Director for the event where pedigree include working with Andrew Lloyd Weber for theatre productions, as Creative Director under Danny Boyle for the London Olympics, and, Clif Bothwell and his team from Free Flow Projects handling Production Management whose work include the amazing for Handa on Sydney Harbour.

How to participate.  

1. Helpers and Volunteers. Gavin and the team have an exciting program both on and off the water from the Opening Ceremony (hundreds of participants and performers), the two race days (150k spectators, a couple of thousand paddlers) will see a new way of experiencing the sport and the Closing Ceremony (first time in Chinatown).  The organisers are looking for help and volunteers to put a smile on everyone’s faces.  About two hundred have put their hands up and a couple of dozen more needed to complete the ensemble .  If you know of anyone or group may be interested in a group performances or in helping the event run.  Please click on event link (Officials and Volunteers) or reach out to Gavin Mitford at gavinmitford@gmail.com

2. Dragon Boat Paddling.  Put a team together.  All you need is 20 people   It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been in a Dragon Boat.  The sport caters for people of all levels of fitness.   Many people’s first introduction to the sport is via this event and via their work sponsored teams.  See link for race registration.  If you’re a Community group or a Not For Profit, the Community Bank may assist with team registration and training fees.  If you have interest or questions, do send me an email.

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