This is the 9th ACT Dragons Abreast Dragon Boat Challenge to be held on Lake Burley Griffin. The event is held annually to raise awareness about breast cancer in our community and to raise funds for local and national charities supporting women travelling the breast cancer journey. The major recipient is Dragons Abreast Australia, with ACT Palliative Care, The Otis Foundation, BCNA and the local Dragons Abreast club also benefiting. The event provides an excellent team building activity and a great introduction to the wonderful sport of dragon boating. This is a fun event. It is not a requirement to have ever paddled in a dragon boat prior to the safety/paddling instruction/training sessions. At the practice sessions we will teach you the basics. It is very easy to learn basic competency in dragon boating. The race will be 200m - at the new venue of the ROWING COURSE at Weston Park - see map. There will be six teams per heat and then a final. Any group of 20 paddlers (plus 4 alternatives) may make up a team. No more than FOUR competitive paddlers (i.e. from a sports team) per boat. Competitive paddlers must be part of or associated with the organisation. Dragons Abreast ACT and Canberra Dragon Boat Association will supply drummers and Fully Accredited Sweeps for all teams. Mixed teams - must have a minimum of 8 women paddlers (excluding drummer and sweep). women's teams - all women (excluding drummer and sweep). Regatta places will be allocated on a first registered and paid up/first served basis until the race is full. Paddlers who register without nominating a particular team may be able to be accommodated in an existing team – contact  ACTregatta@dragonsabreast.com.au to go on a list. The team captain will be provided with regular updates to relay to team members to keep them informed. This website also has regular updates. If any of your questions are not covered, please contact ACTregatta@dragonsabreast.com.au. Any paddler who cannot swim 50 metres lightly clothed is required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when on the water and must make this notation when registering for the race. Loan PFDs will be available for paddlers who have indicated their need for one. Contact ACTregatta@dragonsabreast.com.au to register your team. Payment can be made by cheque to Dragons Abreast ACT, and sent to PO Box 7191 Yarralumla ACT 2600. Please contact us if you would like to make a direct deposit to our account, or pay with cash. Once you are registered your fee is non-refundable, however you may arrange a substitute paddler if you notify your Team Manager. $800 per team is the entry fee for the Dragons Abreast ACT Corporate Dragon Boat Challenge. This entitles you to registration, insurances, practice sessions, paddle and PFD use  Encourage your workmates, family and friends to support and sponsor you for this event to win the ‘Over and Above’ trophy. Donations to our national organisation can also be made via this website. Dragons Abreast Australia is a registered charity, and all donations over $2 to Dragons Abreast Australia are tax-deductible The team manager should forward full team registration payment of $800 to Dragons Abreast ACT, PO Box 7191 Yarralumla ACT 2600, with details of your team name and contact details for the team  Payments may be by cheques made out to Dragons Abreast ACT, or direct bank transfer to Dragons Abreast ACT, BSB 012 964, Account No 4920 03119. The monies raised by this race will go towards Dragons Abreast ACT's general running costs; selected cancer charities in the ACT region; and our national organisation, Dragons Abreast Australia (a registered charity), allowing more women to have access to the dragon boating experience around the country. All team members are requested to attend their team's training/safety sessions. This ensures that all team members are advised of safety issues relating to participation in the race and to the race venue. Individual paddlers who have paddled in this race in previous years but who are unable to attend the training session agree that they have been apprised of all relevant safety issues. Teams which have trained together prior to the race will invariably paddle more effectively as a team in a race. Every participant will be covered by personal accident insurance offered by Canberra Dragon Boat Association. Parking is available. More information soon. Comfortable clothing which can get wet - eg shorts and Tshirt with non-slip shoes which can get wet. Also wear sunscreen. A plastic bottle of drinking water and some dry clothes and shoes to go home in as sometimes clothes get wet from splashing. The practice sessions normally take one and a half hours, including safety instructions, some land drills, and time on the water. Please note that the training sessions take place at the Yacht Club at Lotus Bay, not at the regatta venue, which is the rowing course at Weston Park. Again, water to drink, plenty of sunscreen plus comfortable clothes which can get wet. Teams may choose to race in a team shirt, cap or uniform for clearer identification. DO NOT BRING any valuables unless you also bring a friend or family to guard them while you are on the water. No responsibility will be taken by the organisers for paddlers' personal possessions. A perpetual shield will be awarded to the team that raises the most money over and above the registration fee.  In previous years teams have held morning teas, happy hours and sold raffle tickets for us.  Dragons Abreast members are happy to come and speak at or just be part of your event.  Be creative and good luck!.