Senior D, ACP and Newbies Categories at Ballarat

A Senior D event at the Ballarat regatta

The Ballarat regatta is taking place during the October 2024 Victorian Seniors Festival, involving events across the State celebrating older Victorians.  The theme this year is focused on encouraging older Victorians to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people, and changing how we think of ageing.

Seniors racing is a regular feature of DBV events catering for the 40+, 50+ and 60+ age groups.  At Ballarat we want to play our part and provide a Senior D 200 metre Demonstration Race for those aged 70+ – a category now gradually becoming a feature of events in the USA, Canada and Europe.  Paddlers who are aged 70+ are invited and encouraged to paddle in this event via: 

• their club entering a crew or combining with another club, or
• for individual paddlers from a club not entering a crew but keen to be involved, preferably expressing interest prior to the regatta by contacting Philippa McLean, (philippa@escaliermclean.com.au or 0413 620182).  Alternatively, just come to marshalling on the day and you will be assigned to a boat.  Update, This category is now nearly at capacity. Contact Philippa immediately to secure one of the last remaining spots.

All Cancer Participants Category (ACP)

In 2023 DBV took a national leadership role in establishing the ACP category to compete in local, national and international events. The category aims to attract male and female paddlers who have had a cancer diagnosis and wish to participate in competitive racing.  At the recent Club Crew World Championships in Italy Dragon Masters blitzed the world and won two gold and one silver medal in these events.  We want DBV clubs to continue to lead the way in this category.

At this stage the category is in its infancy – it provides an opportunity for those already within the sport and in existing clubs but we acknowledge it is difficult for some clubs to enter a crew. 

If you have had a cancer diagnosis/treatment of some sort and are interested in joining others in some 200m racing at the Ballarat regatta, please feel free to contact Philippa McLean, prior to the event (philippa@escaliermclean.com.au or 0413620182).  NOTE:  We are aware that the scheduling of races may clash with your  club events and that, depending on the number of crew entries, the ACP Category may be scheduled alongside the Breast Cancer Participant (BCP) events.

Newbies Category

The newbies Category is an opportunity for recently joined members to get a taste of racing with paddlers of similar experience.
UPDATE: This has now filled up with 6 teams and is at regatta capacity. If you are a Newbie and wanted to paddle, we are creating a waiting list to join one of the crews if there is a drop out, register your interest by emailing regattas@dragonboatvictoria.com.au

The conditions for the category are:

• Paddlers must have been a member for less than 6 months.
• 4 Experienced paddlers are required per boat.
• Level 3 Sweep or above.
• Drummers may be any gender age or experience.