Rainbow Dragons Abreast (aka DA Byron Bay) was formed in 2004. Our members come from Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Kyogle shires. This area is also known as the Rainbow Region, hence our name.
Rainbow Dragons Abreast (RDA) is a member group of Dragons Abreast Australia, as well as being part of a larger sports club (Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club), offering many opportunities for the keen paddler as well as the novice. We paddle together on Lake Ainsworth in Lennox Head, as well as on the various waterways of Ballina.
RDA warmly welcomes breast cancer survivors of any age, gender, fitness level, athletic ability or cultural background to “come and try” paddling with us on Sundays 7:40am for 8:00am start at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head. Bookings essential to ensure you get the support you need.
Together we enjoy many laughs, camaraderie and support, while building our confidence and developing our dragon boat skills and fitness, demonstrating that there is quality of life despite a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Our members have participated in numerous events including DAA Regattas, AusChamps (Nationals), Masters Games, Chinese New Year regattas and various overseas regattas, including the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission (IBCPC) events for breast cancer survivors in Australia, Florida (USA) & Florence (Italy). We are currently preparing for the next IBCPC event in NZ in 2022.
Not all our members choose to be competitive however, and there are many other events that we take part in, both on and off the water. Each year we participate in the Mullum2Brunz paddle, where we have won the “dress up” award on more than one occasion. We also carry a very special dragon lantern in the Lismore Lantern Parade. And during the Winter Whales Ocean Swim Classic, our RDA members run the water station.
RDA gets involved with a number of awareness and fundraising events throughout the year, such as Relay for Life, Girls Night In, Mother’s Day Classic, Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) day and National Paddle Month.
Come and join us for the most fun you’ve had since your breast cancer diagnosis! The first five sessions are free.
Physical Location
Lake Ainsworth Sport & Rec Centre, Lennox Head 2478, AND
Cawarra Park, Martin Street, Ballina 2478
Training Times
N.B. Times and training locations subject to change
Tuesday morning – 7:45am & 8:45am
Tuesday evening – 5:15pm
Thursday morning – 8:00am
Thursday afternoon – 4:45pm
Saturday morning – 6:45am & 8:15am
Sunday morning – 8:00am
For more information and sign-up, please contact us beforehand; you will need to arrive 20 minutes early to warm up and help us get the boat ready. Sunday RDA session is best for “newbies”.
What to Wear and Bring
Please wear comfortable gym-type clothing (e.g. shorts & a t-shirt)
Suitable footwear for the water (e.g. surf shoes, water shoes, crocs)
Dragon boating is a water sport, and while you will be seated in the boat, you may get splashed quite a bit!
So you may like to bring a change of clothes and towel
Don’t forget your sun protection (hat and sunscreen)
A bottle of water.
We have all the other equipment you may need, including paddles and flotation devices.
