On the Mandurah water, the Mandurah Vikings Dragon Boat Club is proving that the sport is about more than winning, it’s about building confidence, relationships and a sense of belonging.
The club welcomes paddlers of all ages and experience levels, offering locals the chance to get active while becoming part of a close-knit community.
Dragon boating is one of the world’s oldest team sports, with origins dating back more than 2000 years in China.
Today, the sport has found a growing following both internationally and across Australia, where clubs like the Mandurah Vikings are attracting people looking for competition, fitness and connection.
Shane Hansord comes from a family dedicated to the sport.
“With the three generations I am part of, there have been races where my mum through to my boy have all been in the boat together.
“At one point there were four Hansords’ in one boat competing at a state level.”
Dragon boating relies entirely on teamwork.
With up to 20 paddlers moving in unison, every stroke depends on communication, trust and coordination.
That shared effort is what keeps many members returning to training each week, whether they’re preparing for competition or simply enjoying time on the water.
Shane’s son, Corbin, said he enjoys the teamwork.
“We can muck around but at the race line we focus up really well.”
For many, joining a new sporting club can be intimidating, especially if they have little experience or may not be at their full fitness level.
The Mandurah Vikings remove those barriers and insecurities by welcoming newcomers regardless of age or ability.
Experienced paddlers help beginners develop their skills both on and off the water. The supportive atmosphere is one of the club’s defining features.
Vice President and Coach of the Mandurah Vikings, Malcolm Anderson, said he thinks more people would join the sport if they understood what it can do for them.
“We have the most diverse group you could imagine when it comes to age, fitness levels and ability – which is what you want at community level because everybody feels like they could be a part of the sport.”
The club has an affiliation with Invictus, a program that encourages veterans to be involved with different sports, with some being very successful making it to championships.
There are representatives for AUSDBF (Australian Dragon Boat Federation) in the US, with Malcolm being one of two representatives in Western Australia.
The Mandurah Vikings compete at regattas and competitions across Western Australia, and some members try out for the Australian team overseas, but the club says creating an inclusive environment is just as important as winning races.
Corbin says that being part of the team has made him more confident.
“I didn’t do this sport, I don’t think I would have tried representing Australia in any sport.”
While dragon boating is physically demanding, members say the sense of community is what keeps them coming back.
That sense of connection reflects a broader trend across community sport, where local clubs increasingly serve as social spaces alongside competitive environments.
For many adults balancing work, family and other commitments, organised sport offers an opportunity to build relationships outside everyday routines.
The Mandurah Vikings embody that idea every time they launch onto the estuary.
The teamwork required on the water often carries beyond it.
A dragon boat doesn’t move efficiently unless everyone commits to the same rhythm. ‘It’s impossible to paddle alone,’ becomes an unwritten rule that shapes the sport’s culture as much as its racing strategy.
Preparing for races together, travelling together and supporting each other through competition are all part of what keeps the club strong.
Paddler and admin of the club, Linda Anderson, says the club has seen both growth and drops in the time that she has been there.
“There are 10 to 14 clubs in WA, we are one of the biggest and the best, but it does come and go.”
Linda also says the sport very inclusive, and that the Vikings have members ranging from teens to people in their 70s.
“People don’t need any particular fitness level or prior experience,” she says.
“We nurture them along from day one with coaching and support, we can bring support workers in the boat if it is needed – we will make every effort to make it something that someone can achieve.”
In a town known for its waterways, the Mandurah Vikings have transformed those waters into something more than a place to train.
They’ve created a space where strangers become teammates, teammates become friends and every paddle stroke reinforces the idea that success is strongest when it’s shared.
