Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

The "Early Bird"

Aoraki runs an "Early Bird" Dragon Boat Regatta each year, generally on a Saturday in February. Schools and adult teams compete on the same day, trying out the skills and techniques they have been practicing since October. [Note, from 2011-12 season, this event is renamed the "Aoraki Open" in recognition that it is no longer so "early" in the season].

Venue

Racing is generally at Kerr's Reach in Dallington, over 500m distance (although Aoraki are also looking at trialling Pegasus Lake for early-season events).

Previous (and latest) Early Birds

The first Early Bird put on by Aoraki was on Saturday 9-Feb-08. In fact it was a landmark occasion, being Aoraki's very first event, the inaugural Dragon Boat Regatta, held in conjunction with Chinese New Year (7-Feb-2008). More... and results...

In 2009 the event was held a couple of weeks later, allowing Schools to get organised and join the fun. Aoraki had already run an "Ice Breaker" the previous December, so new teams had already had a taste of racing. But on Saturday 21-Feb-09 teams enjoyed a very lucky break in the weather for a fantastic day in the sun! More...

Click here to see our first Early Bird (2008).