By Nicole Body
Why go it alone when you can paddle as one? Barely six months old, the Footscray Falcons Dragon Boat Club is building a place where community, fitness, and friendship spark something big – a boat of strangers becoming a team.
At its heart, dragon boating is about unity: up to twenty paddlers, one rhythm, and a community that grows with every stroke. For the Falcons, each session proves that age, background or fitness level does not matter. What matters is showing up, paddling hard, and leaving the river stronger than you arrived.
For Captain and Coach Heather, creating the club was a challenge, but with Dragon Boat Victoria’s support, it has quickly made its mark on the Maribyrnong River.
“Everyone comes to a sport like this with different goals and motivations,” Heather explains. “The thing that makes you a good leader is being able to recognise what people want from their participation and then to create a culture where everyone’s needs are met.”
New member Nicole has noticed a common theme among paddlers. “Dragon boating is honestly like no other sport, each member has a personal story as to what led them to this sport and what keeps them in it.”
For Kate, fitness was a chore, but she has found that “dragon boating is movement with purpose. You are not just exercising, you are working with a team, out on the water, enjoying the scenery. It is fun, and it is addictive.”
What surprised her most was the combined effort. “I love that with dragon boating, everyone makes a contribution, no matter how new or seasoned they are.”
For Amanda, the appeal is how the energy on the water lifts her mood and carries back into her working day. “It sets me up for a stronger, healthier me. I come away re-energised, knowing my body’s worked hard. But it is also social, so many ages, backgrounds and experiences all coming together as one.”
“Dragon boating has given me laughter, encouragement, friendships and lots of medals.”
As a trans person, Llywie admits there was some hesitation about joining. “Inclusion in sport should be enthusiastic and proactive.”
“I am proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and doing sporty stuff. After a tough session my body feels like jelly but my heart is full. Getting out on the water has been huge for me. It has lifted my mental health more than I can say.”
When Siobhan returned to Maribyrnong after a separation, she was looking for two things: fitness and belonging. “I wanted a team sport that challenged me but also gave me a support system.”
The camaraderie has been just as important as the workouts, she says. “The laughs during warm-ups, the jokes on the water, that reduces stress. It inspires me to keep striving for myself and the team.”
For Joel, the Falcons are proof that men do not have to limit their camaraderie to the pub or their usual friendship circles. Out on the water, support and mateship flow naturally. For men looking for new connections or a different way to stay active, dragon boating offers more than fitness; it gives you a team, a community, and a reason to keep coming back.
Heather is clear about her vision for the club. “We want to grow through developing competitive paddlers and supporting recreational ones. Most of all, we want to stay true to our origins, an inclusive club that gives back to its members.”
“Dragon boating is more than exercise, it is a lifeline.”
If you would like to experience dragon boating for yourself, the Footscray Falcons offer a free one-month Dragon Pass, giving you four weeks of paddling, training and gear supplied.
Check out the Falcons
Search for Footscray Dragon Boat Club on Facebook or Instagram or email footscraydbc@gmail.com
