Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club

Different Strokes is a Sydney-based dragon boat club that predominantly caters for the LGBTQI+ community. Our members consist of individuals who identify themselves as members of the community, as well as their friends, family and supporters. Our members range in age from 20 to 65 and are almost equally split between genders. We have grown from a modest 10 members at the start of the 2009/2010 sea

son, to over 80 members average in the last few years. This growth has seen us become one of the largest clubs in NSW and with representatives in both the NSW and Australian Dragon Boat teams. We see the reasons for this being our promotion of equality and a healthy competitive spirit, while keeping the social aspects of the club friendly, involving and fun. Our training program is focused on bringing out the best in everyone, whether that be for competition or for general fitness. The core principles of dragon boating – timing, reach, power – affords an ideal analogy for what our club stands for. Timing within a dragon boat characterises the unity of our community. A boat needs to work together as a team to move forward. That same togetherness from those within our community, as well as those who care about it, is what drives the forward movement towards our goals of recognition and equality. As paddlers, the physical reach, extension and rotation of one’s self are key factors in getting the most out of a stroke. As individuals, we challenge ourselves to reach as far as we can, and when we think we've reached our limit, to reach that little bit more. We extend ourselves beyond the perceived limits of gender, age, and orientation, and break stereotypes by confronting them, gripped-paddle first. It takes using the core muscles in one's body to ensure maximum power is extracted when making a stroke. Similarly, it takes strength of character to stand up for one’s fundamental beliefs, challenge the idea of normalcy, and say that change needs to occur. The Club has also been making its presence felt at competitions. In the 2010/2011 season, we have made our first finals, and proved that we can compete with the best. We competed at the National Championships for the first time. The most important thing about our regattas and competitions has been the warmth of the acceptance from other dragon boat clubs and that we have been able to contribute to the sport while growing our reputation within the gay and le***an community. Indeed, the Club owes its very existence to people from other clubs who helped us on our journey and who encouraged us when so much seemed so daunting; they will be lifelong friends of our Club. We treasure the friendships we have formed, celebrate our successes and laugh at, and learn from, our mishaps. It is that very diversity of experience that brings us together and keeps us coming back for more.