PORT Macquarie’s Flamin’ Dragons have secured a place in the Club Crew World Championships in Taiwan.
The Australian Dragon Boat Federation has confirmed that the Senior B Women’s crew has qualified for the September 2026 event.
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer was at the club to hand over a parliamentary report acknowledging its achievements, when the celebratory confetti cannon was fired.
“The influence of the crew extends beyond competition,” he said.
“Also acknowledged were members who volunteer with the NSW SES, and worked during and after the flood.”
The world championships selection adds to what has already been a big year for the club – and it has a swag of medals to prove it.
In February, the Senior B Women won Gold at the Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival held at Darling Harbour.
Head Coach of the Flamin’ Dragons, Jenny Higgins, said they were up against all the top women’s teams.
“I decided not to paddle with them and instead be their drummer to get them to push harder,” she said.
“I said, ‘you’ve got a little bit more and we can do it’.
“[Now] they have fire in their bellies.”
In March, the Senior C Mixed crew won Gold and the Senior B Women’s crew placed fourth, at the State Titles.
And in April, the Senior B Women’s won Bronze for 200m and 500m racing at the Australian Championships held at the Penrith Regatta Centre.
The Senior A Open Crew also won Bronze for 500m racing, and for the 2km turn race.
In response to their world championships selection, Jenny said she was confident the team was up to it.
“Absolutely, there was only .7secs between us and first place,” she told News Of The Area.
“We can knock [that] off over 200m with no problems at all.
“We now have 15-16 months to train on and off the water to achieve the next level of racing.”
Jenny has been a competitor for 16 years, 10 of those with the Port Macquarie club.
“We are a strong cohesive club and one of the biggest in NSW.”
She said they are “especially screaming out for younger men” as part of the club’s succession plan.
Anyone interested can check out their Facebook page for training times or send an email to flamindragons@y7mail.com.
By Pauline CAIN
