Black Dragons Social Events & Photos



Socialising and celebratory events held throughout the year is a major part of Black Dragons continuing success in building strong friendships, teamwork and providing a great atmosphere around the club. Below are just some of the activities Black Dragons are involved in.




AusDBF Australian Championships, Perth WA, 9 - 12 April 2008















Black Dragons end-of-season dinner, Caos Cafe, Adelaide, 20 July 2007

Around 60 people enjoyed a fantastic and celebratory end-of-season dinner. Five club awards were presented: The Best Female and Male Paddler Awards were presented to Catherine Pounsett and Corey Constable respectively. The Most Improved Female went to Ashley Allchurch, the Most Improved Male to Lee Clarke and the ‘Black Dragon of the Year’ award was presented to John Harris.









Nanning, China and Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Competitions, June 2007

With a traveling party of 40 members (33 competitors and seven support crew), Black Dragons spent 16 days, from 13 to 28 June touring Hong Kong and China, taking in Guilin, Yangshuo, Guangzhuo and Nanning. This included race days in Nanning and Hong Kong, which was followed by a welcome home Civic Reception held at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Nanning, China, 19 and 20 June 2007










Hong Kong, 23 and 24 June 2007







Adelaide Town Hall Civic Reception, 12 July 2007
Hosted by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Michael Harbison, the welcome home Civic Reception was attended by over 50 Black Dragons members, including supporters.






New Years Eve 2006, Kilkenny

A Hawaiian theme provided a colourful and entertaining setting, with around 30 people enjoying a brilliant night and partying hard to see in the New Year.









James Well - Yorke Peninsula, 7 to 8 October 2006

Another perfect weekend at James Well, club members and families partied and enjoyed the opportunity for rest and relaxation with this magic weekend getaway. A big thank you to Port Canal Quality Meats and Port Canal Greengrocer for providing fresh and quality produce, and to Budget meats at Thebarton for supplying the succulent yiros meat.









2006 World Club Crew Titles in Toronto, August 2006

Five Black Dragons members, Noel and Cindy Schmidt, Peter Alchin, John Harris and Chris Payne, and six other DBSA people, joined the Arafura Dragons Paddlers Club from Darwin to compete in the World Dragon Boat Club Crew Titles in Toronto in August 2006. Competing in the Grand Dragons Open Race, Black Dragons members, Chris Payne and John Harris won a bronze medal in the Open 200 metre final. Just missing out on a medal in the Senior Open, Women and Mixed Classes were Noel and Cindy Schmidt and Pete Alchin. Overall it was a very successful trip for the Arafura Club, competing in 21 races with three grand finals (1 medal), a minor final, three semi finals and six repechage finals, placing first to third in 11 of their 21 races.






Murray Marathon 100 kilometre Challenge from Loxton to Morgan, 10 to 12 June 2006

Black Dragons competed exceptionally well over the grueling three day, 100 kilometre Murray River course, giving the record time for Dragon Boating, a good nudge. This is the first time Black Dragons Dragon Boat Club have entered the marathon with only few Dragon Boat teams previously tackling the distance, particularly with only 15 paddlers and a sweep, with all but four paddlers new to the marathon experience. Each day provided early morning starts on a cold and misty river, but the team soon warmed up and hit the rhythm of long distance paddling. The river wound it’s way from township to township, with the first day of paddling being the longest stretch of 37 kilometres from Loxton to Moorook. Day two saw the club paddle from Devlins Pound to Waikerie for 26 kilometres, while the third and final day was 30 kilometres from Hogwash Bend to Morgan. With each day being a race against the clock, times were compared against the record, and after three days of paddling, Black Dragons finished just 10 minutes 14 seconds, or what is the equivalent of 1.89 kilometres, outside of record time (for the full race statistics, see Achievements). The marathon was a very rewarding and challenging experience and a solid team effort. Well done to all who competed and were involved in the experience.















Black Dragons end-of-season dinner, West Lakes, 20 May 2006

Over 50 people attended and enjoyed a fantastic social occasion at the end-of-season dinner. It was the perfect opportunity for members to catch-up and reflect on the past season, with five club awards presented. The Best Female and Male Awards were presented to Catherine Pounsett and Neville Day respectively. The Most Improved Female went to Janine Kucharzewski, the Most Improved Male to Peter Alchin and the ‘Black Dragon of the Year’ award was presented to Bobby Kawalok. Congratulations to the award recipients, and all Black Dragons who competed throughout the season.






Brian and Tina’s Wedding, West Lakes, 12 March 2006

Having met through their mutual interest in Dragon boating, Brian Smith and Tina Friend were married at West Lakes, surrounded by family, friends, work colleagues and members of Black Dragons. Club members paddled them from the wedding, across the lake, to the Chinese Palace Restaurant for the reception. This is believed to be the first such dragon boat wedding of its kind in the State.






Food and Wine Festival, the Parade Norwood, 26 February 2006

Black Dragons joined the huge annual street party in Norwood, by helping Villa Nova Restaurant showcase a variety of tasty food and wine assortments.




Crabbing weekend, James Well - Yorke Peninsula, 18 to 19 February 2006

The picturesque James Well provided the perfect venue for socialising, rest and relaxation, while also providing the opportunity to join the opening of the crabbing season on the Yorke Peninsula.












New Years Eve 2005, West Lakes

An undoubted entertaining success, Black Dragons and friends partied hard all night and into the early hours of the morning.









26th Anniversary of the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Malaysia, June 2005

Held on the Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang hosted 34 local and 16 international teams competing in the International Dragon Boat Festival. Some of the countries represented from throughout the world included Germany, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Australia. Black Dragons Dragon Boat Club competed in six categories, successfully reaching the finals on five occasions with the club placing third in the Mixed 20’s (500 metres), receiving a bronze medal.















New Years Eve 2005, West Lakes

Members and friends of Black Dragons ensured the night was full of fun and great entertainment with an attitude to party.






25th Anniversary of the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Malaysia - June 2004

To help promote the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre to the Malaysian people, 26 members affiliated with different South Australian clubs, formed a team to travel and compete in Penang as the Adelaide City Dragon Boat Racing Club. 54 teams competed in Penang’s milestone event, involving over 31 countries from throughout the world, including Japan, China, United States, Canada and Australia. Out of all of the teams, Adelaide City Dragon Boat Racing Club was ranked and finished a competitive eighth.












Chinese New Year - Black Dragons Fundraising, January 2004

Black Dragons President, Mingzhou Fan (right) meets Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison during the Chinese New Year celebrations at Adelaide Central Markets.

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