First of the Champion Fleet

 The NZDBA with the assistance of the IDBF organised and imported on behalf of the Auckland Dragon Boat Festival Trust 6 IDBF Spec Certified Champion Dragon Boats from China which arrived in New Zealand on 22nd January 2008.

The order was placed in December 2007 and with a 30-day delivery, arriving three weeks before the Tiger Beer Festival, which was held in the Viaduct in Auckland on Saturday 16th February 2008. These are the first of a number of IDBF Spec dragonboats that the NZDBA will be importing on behalf of its members (the paddlers) and its Member Associations to move dragonboating into the 21st Century.

A second order was placed for 4 more Champion dragonboats prior to the Tiger Beer Festival to arrive in New Zealand in time for the National Dragon Boat Championships held at Lake Pupuke, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland on 29th – 30th March 2008 bringing the current fleet up to 10 dragonboats.

Lake Pupuke is the first venue in NZ to be used to hold a 500m course under IDBF Rules for racing and was a challenge for teams to compete and race the extra length. All the competitors were impressed by the stability and streamlined look of the boats which is a far cry from the old style boats which crews fondly remember as a capsizing experience.

In November 2008, Aoraki Dragons imported six new Champion boats. Another container of four Champions arrived in March 2009, giving Aoraki (and Christchurch clubs) a fleet of ten boats (plus several old boats).

The NZDBA are committed to move the sport of dragonboating forward and for teams to be more competitive on the International dragonboating circuit. The NZDBA recognise that a part of that is to use IDBF certified boats. During 2008 the NZDBA will be looking to import more IDBF spec boats to bolster the current fleet.

Other initiatives are under review at this time and the NZDBA will inform its members in due course.