03/04/2026
And that’s a wrap on the 2026 Dragon Boat racing season here in Aotearoa New Zealand!!
Forty athletes from our club journeyed south from Auckland into the heart of the Waikato to compete at the NZ National Dragon Boat Championships, held at the iconic Lake Karapiro racing venue. Keen to follow up on our successes at the Auckland Regional Championships, we arrived on the first day of racing with a mix of nervous anticipation and a humble confidence.
The confidence came from knowing we’d made a number of changes to our training methodology this season and we had trained hard - both on and off the water. The nerves reflected the unknown and the awareness that our friends and rivals from clubs from across the country had also been working hard.
We’re incredibly proud of what Lion achieved this season. Our results at Nationals reflect not just race-day performances, but the commitment, resilience, and teamwork shown throughout the year by our athletes, coaches, and leaders. Our club is also super proud of our Small Boat Women’s crew, Lion Roar, who are a new crew and raced with heart and determination in all of their heats.
We know the standard across dragon boating in Aotearoa continues to rise, and we have the utmost respect for our friends and rivals from clubs around the country who continue to push the sport forward. Racing alongside you all is what makes our sport so rewarding.
A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who supported us this season - to our supporters, followers, and whānau who cheered us on. Your belief, encouragement, and support make everything we achieve possible💜💛❤️