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S.A. Dragons Abreast Inc. (SADA) was founded in December 2001 by Carlene Butavicius to provide support, hope and inspiration for survivors of breast cancer in South Australia.  The club is a member of DragonBoat SA (DBSA), Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and the International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission (IBCPC).  It is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

The use of dragon boating as a rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors began in Canada by Professor Don Mackenzie in 1996, who believed that upper body exercise aided recovery after surgery and improved lymphatic function. Many of our founding and early members were survivors, and they continue to be the core of our club and an important part of our culture.

Early on in the club's development, it became clear that the appeal of dragon boating was far-reaching, and SADA soon widened membership intake and grew to include a sports category.​
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SADA is one of the most competitive dragon boat clubs in South Australia.  As well as competing at state level, SADA has travelled to regattas throughout Australia and the globe, with some brilliant wins and many medals and trophies along the way. 
 
SADA has an active membership of more than 50 paddlers, including their breast cancer survivors, participating in the Premiers, A B & C categories.  We take part in 10 and 20 crew races, at 200, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 metre distances.  The annual Peter Bristow 'Round-the-Island' race,  of 7km's has been named in honour of Peter Bristow, an early supporter and coach of SADA and friend to all SA dragon boaters and a distinguished member of the SA state team.

The club has consistently been South Australian State Champions in a range of categories since its first success in 1991.  Powerblades have developed both Premier (ages 15-40) and Masters (aged 40+) sports teams. This ensures that there is a participation pathway for club members of all ages so that they are able to participate at the level that fits their needs and circumstances during their sporting life from junior to senior years. Both teams compete in the local competition and National Championships every year.

Founded over 20 years ago on the principles of participation, awareness and inclusiveness, Dragons Abreast Australia is a national charity with groups spread across the country and a membership of over 1200 individuals, the majority of whom are breast cancer survivors.

Once breast cancer surgery is over and treatment has finished, survivors are often left on their own, facing the sometimes daunting task of rebuilding their health, their fitness, and their lives. This is where Dragons Abreast Australia comes in.

Dragons Abreast provides an understanding network for survivors who participate in the sport of dragon boat paddling. It has been medically proven that paddling helps improve health after treatment. Not only are there physical benefits but dragon boat paddling is an activity that draws out the innate qualities of breast cancer survivors – hope, inspiration, excitement and determination to beat a dreaded disease faced by millions of women and men (yes, men get breast cancer too) around the world.

Being able to paddle and socialise in the company of others who have travelled the same path helps to restore the confidence, the spark and the sense of adventure needed to permit a full and active life after treatment.

Our hope is that one day we won’t need an organisation such as ours because there will be a cure for breast cancer. Until then we will continue to paddle and live life to the full, every day.

Join us today and share in the wonderful experience that is Dragons Abreast Australia.

If you enjoy the blue waters of the ocean you will have fun paddling with us. Regular paddles from Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln.

Blue Water Raiders Dragon Boat Club is a group of men and women with a passion for the Team work of dragon boating, and enjoying fun and fitness, on and off the water.

Our first taste of competition victory was in 2005, soon after the inception of our Club, bringing home Gold & Silver from our combined men & women's team at Masters Games in Adelaide.

Our Club now boasts of having a dragon boat based at Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln.

We have competed  successfully in Masters Games at various locations. We have travelled to Broome, entering the Broome “Pearl Festival” Regatta and winning the Broome Cup. Paddled in the Ord River Marathon at Kununurra, a 57km paddle. Paddled 58km of the Murray River, Competed  at venues in Adelaide, Mildura, Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Wallaroo  &  Melbourne.

Some members have gone on to represent State and Country, Nationally and internationally at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Hungary.

Between our usual Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln training times, we try to paddle at different locations in various bays and coastlines around the Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln, we generally have fun on the water with endurance and adventure paddles enjoyed by everyone. We encourage the promotion of sport and fitness for all ages, and becoming involved in the “Be Active” schools program.

The Black Sea Dragons Dragon Boat Club was established in 2019 after an amalgamation of two separate dragon boat clubs: Adelaide Sea Dragons and Black Dragons.

Both clubs share rich histories in South Australia’s Dragon Boating community.

Some of our members have been involved in Adelaide’s Dragon Boat Community since its inception in 1985. A number of our members have also competed at the international level, representing Australia in the National ‘Auroras’ Team.

Black Sea Dragons have a promising future, with strong paddling ethics and an even stronger crew.

Adelaide Phoenix Dragon Boat Club trains in Adelaide, but competes Australia wide and internationally. Established in 2009, the club has experienced a high degree of competitive success in Open (under 40) and Senior A (40-50) age categories. We train and race hard, but our membership is diverse. Regardless of age, fitness level and experience we aim to create a balance between high level competition and accessibility for all to the sport that we love. 

The social aspect of our club is also an important part of who we are. We train and race hard on the water, but continue to build our team off the water. We enjoy sharing a drink, off water training and travelling wherever our various competitions are being held (which has included Hong Kong, Italy and just about every state of Australia!) Our members know that a strong club off water means a stronger club on the water.

In East-Asian culture the Fenghuang (Phoenix) reigns over other birds and is paired with the dragon. Together they represent a balance, from which the strength and virtue flow. Adelaide Phoenix Dragon Boat Club has adopted the expression 'Rise of the Phoenix' as a mantra for the continuing cycle of rebirth and rebuilding. In mythology the phoenix will only stay where there is just rule and is a symbol of great power, prosperity and grace.

Riverside Rowing Club was founded in 1943. Riverside Rowing Club today has a strong Masters Rowing focus (27 years and over) and maintains close ties with Senior Club and School rowing. Whether you wish to compete at an elite level or in masters rowing events or to simply have some fun and increase your fitness at a recreational level, Riverside is the club for you.

Rowing is a non-impact sport that requires a moderate level of fitness, strength and coordination. With numerous ergometers (rowing machines), a gym and a comprehensive fleet of excellent boats, Riverside Rowing Club located in Adelaide South Australia will enable you to develop these attributes.

Riverside has facilities on the River Torrens in Adelaide complete with function room and bar for hire. The club has gym equipment for use by members. Riverside also has a boat storage facility at West Lakes where the majority of regattas conducted by Rowing SA are held.

An enthusiastic group of Club members will assist you to attain the necessary rowing skills.

Somerton Yacht Club developed from the Broadway Yacht Squadron (or Broadway Sailing Club) that operated in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.  At the time, members sailed a variety of boats typically from backyard construction.  

Following World War II, the sailing community’s desire for a more structured club resulted in the establishment of SYC and in the early 1950’s, the existing facility on the Esplanade at Somerton was established. 

To this day, Somerton operates with a community and family focus sailing a variety of classes and is open to sailors of all levels of ability.

Garden Island Yacht Club (GIYC) was founded in 1978 as an affordable club for sailing and boating enthusiasts. Since then, it has developed to include marinas, significant hardstand space, slipways, workshops, and a fine clubhouse. Pretty much everything a sailing and boating enthusiast needs. The club prides itself on its friendly members and welcoming atmosphere, partially due to the club being run by volunteers.   

The club is close to the Barker inlet dolphin sanctuary, and members often interact with these and other marine organisms when enjoying their sport. While GIYC is set in a natural mangrove environment subject to tides, the waters of the Barker Inlet and St Kilda basin, along with the Section Bank, provide sheltered sailing with good winds without large swells and short sharp seas. Many members enjoy sailing the gulfs stopping off at the clubs at North Haven before crossing and returning.

Organised club events include cruising in company and casual racing; these events are a great opportunity to get to know the club, its waters and tricks and techniques to sail your boat more efficiently. Working ‘bees’ are very social and allow members to reduce their fees while contributing to the upkeep of the club.

Friday club nights and formal functions are always enjoyable, with catering from our large commercial-sized kitchen and our cosy bar. The club has an on-site caretaker; gate keys and cameras provide security. Feel free to contact us for a guided tour of our facilities; you might even see a Dolphin or two fishing around our marinas.

Largs Bay was founded in 1926 and has over 90 years tradition as a family oriented sailing club, which encourages and facilitates competitive sailing events and provides sail training for youth and senior members.

Largs Bay conducts racing on the waters of Gulf St Vincent directly in front of the club.  Boats can be rigged and  launched from a clean, white, sandy beach into shallow waters, which are accessible even in stronger winds.  The beach is accessed via a graded driveway on which boats may be towed by hand or using a motor vehicle.  The club provides towing vehicles to assist with transport and launching of larger trailerable boats and coach and safety boats.  There are large car parks to the north and south of the club and plenty of on-street parking near the club. 

The sailing club is on the foreshore at Largs Bay, approximately 200 metres to the north of the Largs Bay jetty on Lady Gowrie Drive at Largs Bay.  Largs Bay is a north western beach-side suburb of Adelaide approximately 20 km from the city centre.  From the city it is any easy drive from the intersection of North and West Terraces (near the Royal Adelaide Hospital) down the Port Road. There is a regular train and bus services from the city to Largs Bay with a station and bus stop within 500 metres of the club.