The energy on the water is building as St Scholastica’s College Dragon Boating teams step up their training in preparation for one of the sport’s premier global events, the 15th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Club Crew World Championships in Taiwan, taking place from 29 August to 6 September 2026.
Training sessions are now in full swing, with crews combining endurance, precision and teamwork as they prepare to represent both their College and Australia on the world stage. The atmosphere is one of focus and determination, driven by a proud legacy of excellence that has positioned St Scholastica’s as a formidable force in international Dragon Boating.
This reputation is well earned. At the 2024 IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy, the College’s crews delivered a remarkable performance, capturing gold and World Championship titles across all three premier race distances: 2km, 500m and 200m. St Scholastica’s College was the only Australian crew to achieve this clean sweep. It was a truly extraordinary accomplishment, one that highlights the program’s strength, depth and consistency.
As the team looks ahead to Taiwan, there is a clear sense of purpose to build on this success while continuing to uphold the standards that have defined the program for years.
Dragon Boating has become one of the most successful and distinctive sports programs at St Scholastica’s College. Since its introduction, it has grown significantly in both participation and performance, offering students a unique opportunity to engage in a high-performance team sport that extends far beyond competition. At its core, the program fosters leadership, resilience, discipline and a strong sense of community.
What began as a small group of interested participants has evolved into a structured and dynamic pathway, now encompassing multiple crews across various year levels. Students can progress through Junior, Youth and Open divisions, developing not only their athletic skills but also their capacity to work cohesively within a team environment, an essential element of Dragon Boating success.
The College’s crews are a familiar presence at major regattas across New South Wales and beyond, competing at renowned venues such as Penrith, Sydney Harbour and Canberra, as well as interstate events. These competitions provide valuable experience and exposure, ensuring athletes are well prepared for the demands of high-level racing.
On the international stage, St Scholastica’s continues to shine. Students from the program have represented the College and their country at World Club Crew Championships in cities including Adelaide, Szeged and Ravenna. These campaigns have resulted in World Championship medal finishes, multiple international final appearances and selection opportunities into elite Australian development squads.
A proud achievement is the number of students selected to compete in Auroras crews, Australia’s national junior Dragon Boating teams. These selections are a testament to the exceptional calibre of coaching, athlete development and performance culture embedded within the College program. They also reflect the strong pathways available for students who aspire to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
However, beyond the medals and titles, the true strength of the Dragon Boating Program is the ability to bring students together. It cultivates camaraderie, school spirit and a shared commitment to excellence, important qualities that extend well beyond the water and into all aspects of student life.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Championships continues, the St Scholastica’s community is excited and proud of its Dragon Boaters for their dedication, discipline and achievements. Their journey reminds us of what can be achieved through teamwork and perseverance.
We wish all crews the very best as they continue their preparations and look forward to cheering them on as they once again take to the world stage with confidence, determination and the unmistakable spirit of Schols.
St Scholastica’s College — affectionately known as “Schols” — has been educating young women for 140 years, instilling values which […]