to the paddlers, and one steerer or 'sweep' at the rear of the boat. Teams race along a straight course from 250 to 1000 metres, with an average race time of three to six minutes.

Chinese dragon heads and tails decorate the boats for major regattas, creating quite a spectacle at a large event, such as the recent Chinese New Year Festival at Darling Harbour in February, the NSW Corporate Games in March (with part of the proceeds this year going to Diabetes Australia), or the National Dragon Boating Championships, held this year in Western Australia from April 9 to 12.

While the attraction of dragon boat racing is fun and fitness for most paddlers, it means a great deal more for the members of Dragons Abreast Australia. This national organisation, founded in 1997 by breast cancer survivor Michelle Hanton, has put a 'face' to the breast cancer statistics.

The 34 member groups across Australia have dragon boat team names like 'Tittytittybangbang' on the Sunshine Coast, typifying the sense of humour these cancer survivors bring to their sport. For them, being first across the finish line is not the main aim - they are winners simply by being there and being able to paddle.

"What we're about is living life to the fullest in the time that you've got," says Michelle. "With dragon boat racing you don't have to be particularly fit to start, and you're all in the boat together, so if you're not feeling so good and can't paddle that's fine, you've got other people in the boat. It's not like a walking group where you'd be left behind. That's part of the success and the appeal.

"We don't raise money, but many of our members are public speakers for breast cancer fundraisers. Of all [the breast cancer] organisations, we're at the grassroots level - the women living with it.

"Our youngest would be 24 and the eldest would be 85. We have women who have gone on to wear the green and gold and represent Australia. The world championships were held in Sydney in September 2007 and we had eight survivors in the Grand Masters women's team that won the gold."

The Newcastle Hunter Dragon Boat Club has both a sporting and a Dragons Abreast team, and also facilitates an annual corporate regatta, with some of the proceeds donated to local charities, such as Ronald McDonald House, Lifeline, Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the Westpac Helicopter Service. The club also provides public paddling every Sunday for anyone wanting to roll up and try out.

Dragon boat racing has become increasingly popular in corporate Australia, with teams from large organisations such as IBM, Macquarie Bank and Telstra. According to Melanie Cantwell, Business Manager for Dragon Boats NSW, "The reason it works in the corporate world is it fits in with their work ethos, because dragon boating is built around a team sport, meaning you have to work together to get across the line first."

Ingrid van Uden, Technical Solutions Manager for IBM and a member of the company's team, Dragons On Demand, says the sport creates "an opportunity for employees to... work as a team outside of the organisation, and feel good about themselves.

"It's a huge team sport, [and] as there are no individuals, you need to work as one team to get anywhere and succeed. The fact that it's such a big team sport and that it's very much in line with IBM's commitment to cultural diversity, is why IBM has supported it for a number of years."

Corporate paddlers say dragon boat racing is a great way to share fun and camaraderie with colleagues. The adrenalin-pumped action is also great for stress relief. And for those who paddle knowing part of their race fees will go to a charity, the feel-good factor of raising money and awareness for a good cause is a reward in itself.

More fun and fitness

City to Surf - 10 August 2008
The Sun-Herald City to Surf is an annual Sydney institution, drawing participants from all over Australia.

The event has always generated money indirectly for charity through individual efforts, but last year a new online fundraising initiative raised more than $1.04 million for charity.

If sweating for a cause sounds good to you (and good for you), why not participate in some of the fun runs, walks and bike rides around Australia?

• 24 Hour Mega Swim, various locations and dates Australia-wide
• Relay for Life, various locations and dates Australia-wide
• Mothers Day Classic, Australia-wide, 11 May 2008
• OXFAM Sydney Trailwalker, 29-31 August 2008
• City-Bay Fun Run, Adelaide, 21 September 2008
• Blackmores Sydney Running Festival, 21 September 2008
• Walk to Cure Diabetes, Centennial Park, Sydney, 12 October 2008
• MS Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride, 2 November 2008
• Great Victorian Bike Ride, 29 November-7 December 2008

Corporate sailing days
Sailing is a good way for people to work as a team and communicate with each other. It's not gender specific, nor do you have to be fit or have any sailing experience. You just need to have a willingness to learn and be prepared to have some fun.

Rhythm Konnections corporate drumming
Being part of an African drumming group is performance enhancing and activates playful stress reduction. It also promotes cooperation, activates and stimulates participants' creative thought processes, enhances focus, listening and co-ordination skills, and demonstrates the effect an individual has on the larger whole. If you've ever wanted to beat your drum, now may be the time to do it.

Corporate go karting
Indoor go karting is ideal for corporate entertainment, and team pit stop racing programs help employees work together efficiently.

Corporate paintball skirmish and laser skirmish
A fun and exciting way to enhance team performance and practise your target skills. Outside the comfort zone of the workplace, leaders emerge, bonds are formed and teamwork is a must.

 

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