History of SCDA

The Inspiring Journey of Sunshine Coast Dragons Abreast: A Story of Strength, Community, and Adventure

Sunshine Coast Dragons Abreast (SCDA) has been a beacon of hope, resilience, and camaraderie since its founding in 2005. Over the years, our club has grown, transformed, and thrived, with a proud legacy that we continue to build upon today. 

2005 – Humble Beginnings The SCDA group was formed, embracing the playful race name Tittytittybangbang. Our early days were marked by overwhelming community support. Local Caloundra clubs rallied around us, with Zonta generously donating a second-hand dragon boat and Rotary providing paddles and life jackets. Our first boat, affectionately named Priscilla, “Queen of the Lake,” found her home on Lake Kawana. With growing membership, we embarked on many adventures, attending regattas in Tin Can Bay, the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Kawana. Laughter and joy accompanied us every step of the way.

2007 – A Global Stage In a momentous year, the world came to Lake Kawana. The IBCPC (International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission) Regatta brought teams from around the globe to our shores. We proudly participated, soaking up the excitement, and taking part in a vibrant street parade through Caloundra. The cheers from our local community made it an unforgettable celebration of strength and unity.

2008 – Farewell, Priscilla After years of dedicated service, Priscilla began to show her age. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to retire our beloved boat, marking the end of an era but the beginning of new possibilities.

2010 – International Horizons In collaboration with Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons, we embarked on a life-changing journey to Canada to compete in the IBCPC Festival. This international event, held every four years, opened doors to deeper connections with paddlers worldwide and solidified our place on the global dragon boat stage.

2014 – Florida Adventures and New Beginnings Our international journey continued as we once again joined the Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons, this time traveling to Sarasota, Florida, for the IBCPC Festival. Among 103 teams and over 3,000 participants, we paddled with pride. This year also marked a turning point as we found ourselves in need of a new home. Thankfully, the Maroochy Sea Serpents welcomed us with open arms, and thus, the Pink Sea Serpents were born, ready to rebuild and rise once more.

2015 – A New Dragon With the support of a Community Benefit Fund grant, we were able to purchase a brand-new dragon boat. Our new vessel, Fight Like A Girl, symbolizes the courage, strength, and resilience that runs through our club.

2016 – A National Gathering Lake Kawana once again became the heart of dragon boating as the Dragons Abreast Australia National Championships took place. Members from 34 Australian clubs came together, and we proudly formed a composite team with paddlers from Bundaberg, making lifelong memories on the water.

2018 – A Journey to Florence Our most ambitious adventure yet took us to Florence, Italy, where we competed in the IBCPC Participatory Festival. Joining a multinational composite team, we became one of 124 teams representing 19 countries. Paddling on the beautiful Arno River, surrounded by over 4,000 paddlers and supporters, we were embraced by the spirit of Florence. The street parade, where we crossed the iconic Ponte Vecchio, will forever be etched in our hearts as a magical moment of solidarity.

2021 – A New Chapter Begins Driven by a desire to forge our own path, we officially formed Sunshine Coast Dragons Abreast Inc., proudly becoming known as the SCDA Mavericks. We now train three times a week, not only for fitness and competition but also for the joy of paddling and the friendships that flourish within our club. We compete in both sports and breast cancer divisions, fostering connections with paddlers from across Australia and the world.

2023 – Rekindling Bonds in New Zealand Our most recent adventure took us to Lake Karapiro in New Zealand for the IBCPC Participatory Festival. Competing as Coastal Breast Friends, we joined forces with paddlers from SE Queensland clubs Te Waka, Redlands, and Redcliffe. After the challenges of the previous years, the event was a heartwarming reunion, filled with joy, resilience, and the rekindling of friendships across the globe.

From our humble beginnings to our adventures on the world stage, SCDA Mavericks continues to thrive as a club that values courage, connection, and the power of community. Together, we paddle not just for fitness or competition, but to celebrate life, strength, and the bonds we’ve built both on and off the water.