The day’s main event featured 200-metre sprint races with small crews of 10 paddlers. These races were tightly contested, with two heats leading into an exciting final. The Lion Dragon Boat Club delivered the standout performance, clocking the fastest time of the day at an impressive 58.27 seconds in their grand final race. The nail biting womens grand final saw less than half a second between 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

In addition to the sprints, the regatta included a challenging 1-kilometer turns race. For this event, teams combined to create standard crews of up to 20 paddlers, providing a fantastic opportunity for paddlers to mix and mingle with members from other teams. The race added an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie, showcasing the spirit of community that dragon boating embodies.

The competition featured seven mixed teams and seven women’s teams, including two inspiring breast cancer survivor teams. Among the highlights was the debut of the Steel Stars, a junior squad from the Steel Dragons, who competed admirably in the Minor Mixed Final, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

The Waikato teams brought an extra level of competition and camaraderie to the event, and their participation was met with heartfelt thanks from the Auckland Dragon Boat Association, reflecting the strong bonds within the dragon boating community.

A special thank you goes to the Steel Dragons for their generous prize donations, which added to the day’s celebrations.

Spectators lined the Westhaven Marina boardwalk, enjoying the sight of dragon boats slicing through the water to the rhythmic beat of drums. The regatta provided a captivating experience for those out on their afternoon strolls, turning the marina into a vibrant hub of activity.

For those inspired by the event and interested in trying their hand at dragon boating, the Auckland Dragon Boat Association invites you to follow their Facebook page for details on upcoming open days.