Adelaide Combined Dragon Boat Club One Club. Three Regions. Twenty Paddles, One Heartbeat.
A family of passionate paddlers across South Australia — from metropolitan Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast. All ages from 9 up, all fitness levels, no experience needed.
About ACDC
What is the Adelaide Combined Dragon Boat Club?
Founded in 2016 by passionate dragon boaters, ACDC’s mission is to make dragon boating accessible to everyone. We offer multiple training sessions in each of our locations, from metropolitan Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast, and welcome paddlers of all levels and all ages from 9 years up.
With over 100 members, including families from regional areas, we are a close-knit and inclusive community where camaraderie is as important as competition — and we have a real passion for success. ACDC is very competitive at both State and National level: we train hard and race hard, but we’re equally famous for our social events and the sense of family our club is renowned for.
A member of Dragon Boat SA (DBSA) and the Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF).
- Years paddling
- 10+
- Members
- 100+
- Regions
- 3
- Ages welcome
- 9–65+
Come and try · Dragon Pass
How can I try dragon boating for free?
The Dragon Pass is AusDBF’s free come-and-try program: unlimited sessions over 30 days, fully insured, at no cost. No experience, no fitness level, no equipment required.
Register for a free Dragon Pass
Sign up online at acdcdragons.com/registration. It costs $0.00 and takes basic contact details. Full insurance cover included.
Paddle as often as you like
Come to any session in any region over 30 days. We supply the paddle, life jacket and boat; you bring a water bottle.
Love it? Join the family
Convert to full membership and keep paddling: training, racing and a very full social calendar await.
Just bring a water bottle, footwear and clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet.
Why dragon boating?
Mind, body and community — all at once
No one can carry a dragon boat, and no one can hide. When 20 paddles hit the water in perfect timing, the boat lifts — and it’s addictive.
ACDC paddler It’s legs, core, back and shoulders all firing. Timing, rhythm, precision. A full-body workout disguised as a team sport.
ACDC paddler Race starts. Drum pounding. Water flying. Twenty people locked in, breathing as one. There is nothing else like it.
ACDC paddler
Gallery
One boat, one heartbeat — and a whole lot of splashing
Race days at West Lakes, sunset sessions on Hindmarsh Island, lake days at Bordertown, and everything in between.
Follow @acdcdragonfire for the latest photos and videos.
View full galleryMembership
How much does it cost to paddle with ACDC?
Joining ACDC makes you part of a 100-plus strong family of paddlers — and gives you a full season of coaching, training and racing.
Dragon Start
Free
One-time try session
- One session try-out
- Full insurance included
- All equipment provided
- Any of our three regions
Dragon Pass
Free
30 days · unlimited sessions
- Unlimited for 30 days
- Full insurance included
- All equipment provided
- Any of our three regions
- Most popular
Club Membership
Season
Fees via registration portal
- All club training sessions with coaches
- DBSA & AusDBF registration
- Public liability & accident insurance
- Boats, paddles & life jackets provided
- Race at regattas, States & AusChamps
Team Building
$30
Per person · 2-hour package
- About 90 minutes on the water
- Safety briefing & technique
- All equipment included
- Accredited sweep & coach
- 10 to 20 paddlers per boat
Registration is completed through our online portal. As a DBSA member club, ACDC follows the governance frameworks of DBSA and AusDBF, with its own Constitution and Dress Code Policy. Compare membership options.
Do I have to be fit to dragon boat?
No. Many members started having never played any sport. Our Season Program builds fitness gradually and safely in three phases: gentle technique work, then power and strength, then shorter, more intense speed sessions.
Am I too old to dragon boat? What ages are ACDC members?
ACDC welcomes paddlers from age 9 up, with over 100 members aged 9 to 65+. It is common to see a student racing alongside a 60-year-old, and some of our senior paddlers are among the strongest. Racing has divisions for all ages.
What should I bring to a training session?
Just a bottle of water. We supply the paddle, life jacket and boat. Hot showers and change rooms are available at West Lakes.
Where do you train?
Dragon Fire trains at the Aquatic Reserve, Cnr Bower & Old Port Roads, West Lakes (enter off Bower Road). Goolwa River Dragons train at Coorong Quays, Hindmarsh Island, and Desert Dragons at Bordertown Recreation Lake and Cockatoo Lake. Maps and directions.
How much does membership cost?
Season fees are shown in our online registration portal. Every membership includes DBSA and AusDBF registration, insurance and equipment. Or try it first, free, with a Dragon Pass. Membership options.
I’m interested in fitness, not racing. Can I still join?
Absolutely. Plenty of our paddlers enjoy the fitness and social side without racing. As long as the coaches know your intent, you can attend all training without racing at regattas or the Australian Championships.
Ready to grab a paddle?
Just bring a water bottle and your sense of adventure. We supply the paddle, the life jacket, the boat and the laughter.
Get your free Dragon PassContact
How do I contact ACDC?
Whether you want to try paddling, book a corporate team-building session, or just ask a question.