Come N Try · Dragon Pass
Try Dragon Boating Free for 30 Days
The Dragon Pass gives you unlimited sessions for 30 days, fully insured, at no cost. No experience, no fitness level and no equipment needed.
How it works
How does the Dragon Pass work?
The Dragon Pass is AusDBF’s national come-and-try program. Register once, then paddle at any session in any of our three regions for 30 days.
Register for a free Dragon Pass
Sign up online at acdcdragons.com/registration. It costs $0.00 and takes basic contact details. Full insurance cover included.
Paddle as often as you like
Come to any session in any region over 30 days. We supply the paddle, life jacket and boat; you bring a water bottle.
Love it? Join the family
Convert to full membership and keep paddling: training, racing and a very full social calendar await.
Your first session
What happens at your first session?
Arrive at the session start time. At West Lakes the crew is on the water 15 minutes later, which gives the coaches time to fit you with a life jacket and paddle and run through the basic stroke on land.
In the boat, a sweep steers from the back and the coach calls the stroke. Nobody expects you to keep perfect time on day one. Sessions are about an hour on the water.
If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or have an injury, please see your doctor for clearance first and tell the coaches before you start.
What to wear and bring
- Shorts or leggings and a t-shirt or singlet
- A spray jacket or hoody in cooler months
- Footwear you can get wet: crocs, thongs or old sandshoes
- A hat and sunglasses
- A bottle of water
We supply the paddle, life jacket and boat. You will get a little splashed. Hot showers and change rooms are available at West Lakes.
Where to try
When can I come and try?
Any session works with a Dragon Pass. Most beginners start at the Saturday 9.45am Come ’N Try & Development session at West Lakes, built for new paddlers and juniors from age 9.
| Day | Session | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Club training · Aquatic Reserve, West LakesOn the water 6.30–7.30pm | Dragon Fire |
| Tuesday | Club training · Coorong Quays, Hindmarsh Island | Goolwa River Dragons |
| Wednesday | Club training · Aquatic Reserve, West LakesOn the water 6.30–7.30pm | Dragon Fire |
| Wednesday | Club training · Bordertown Recreation Lake or Cockatoo LakeWeather and numbers permitting | Desert Dragons |
| Thursday | Club training · Coorong Quays, Hindmarsh Island | Goolwa River Dragons |
| Saturday | Club training · Aquatic Reserve, West LakesOn the water 8.30–9.30am | Dragon Fire |
| Saturday | Come ’N Try & Development · Aquatic Reserve, West LakesOn the water 10.00–11.00am. New paddlers welcome, juniors from age 9 | Dragon Fire |
| Sunday | Club training · Bordertown Recreation Lake or Cockatoo LakeCoffee and a chat afterwards. Weather and numbers permitting | Desert Dragons |
Training in Goolwa or Bordertown? Give the region a call before your first session: Goolwa River Dragons · Desert Dragons.
Why try dragon boating?
Because it is one of the rare sports that works your mind, body and community all at once, with a kind of energy most people don’t expect. People join for fitness and stay for the friendships.
Do I have to be fit to dragon boat?
No. Many members started having never played any sport. Our Season Program builds fitness gradually and safely in three phases: gentle technique work, then power and strength, then shorter, more intense speed sessions.
Do I have to be strong to dragon boat?
No. Strength builds gradually over the season. Dragon boating is one of the most effective all-over strengthening exercises around, working legs, glutes, abdominals, core, back, shoulders and arms together.
Do I have to be co-ordinated to dragon boat?
No. Many members started with co-ordination challenges (and still have them on land). Staying in time with the crew takes practice, and you are coached in technique all season.
Am I too old to dragon boat? What ages are ACDC members?
ACDC welcomes paddlers from age 9 up, with over 100 members aged 9 to 65+. It is common to see a student racing alongside a 60-year-old, and some of our senior paddlers are among the strongest. Racing has divisions for all ages.
What should I wear?
Comfortable gym clothes: shorts or leggings, a t-shirt or singlet, and a spray jacket or hoody in cooler months. You will get a little splashed. Footwear is essential (crocs, thongs or old sandshoes are fine), and a hat and sunglasses are recommended.
What should I bring to a training session?
Just a bottle of water. We supply the paddle, life jacket and boat. Hot showers and change rooms are available at West Lakes.
See you on the water
Register for your free 30-day Dragon Pass. It takes two minutes.
Get your free Dragon Pass