How to Join NAVMAT

How much does it cost to give it a try?
The first 3 sessions are free. And all your equipment will be provided as you recieve instruction from an experienced coach.

What does NAVMAT offer?
We offer courses for beginners (Basic level), as well as training development for competition (Squad). We can develop you from an unfit beginner to a skilled member of a Dragon Boat racing team. Note that training is world class - many NAVMAT members have been selected for the ACT side, and several ACT teams have represented Australia. You have the opportunity to develop as fast as you are physically able. Or you can choose to paddle only "socially" - stay at the basic level as long as you wish.

	Map of NAVMAT meeting places, A and B - see text

Where is training?
We meet most Saturdays at the pier off Alexandrina Drive - see "A" on the map. If you are not able to attend on Saturdays, we can accomodate you in Tuesday or Thursday Squad sessions, in that case we meet on the lawn next to the Southern Cross Yacht Club car park, Mariner Place - see "B" on the map. For more information on the training times see the Training page or get in touch with the club contact.

Membership?
Once you become a member of the NAVMAT Dragon Boat Racing Club you will have the opportunity to attend all the training sessions, enjoy our club’s social events and participate in the competitions. Becoming a member also means that you are registered in Canberra Dragon Boat Association - the governing body that provides members with sports insurance coverage, organises local regattas, and provides/maintains the Dragon Boats along with the associated equipment.

Formalities

To get your 3 free sessions, we will ask you to fill out a cdba temporary membership form, which covers you for insurance purposes. We will have blanks at the venue, but it will speed things up if you bring a completed form with you.

To become a full member, you need to complete two forms: a cdba membership form (provides boats, training equipment, insurance and local competitions), and a NAVMAT membership form (providing coaching, organising teams, marquee etc at regattas, & racing paddles). The CDBA fee is $300 for the year ending 1 September, and the NAVMAT fee is $50, making $350 in total. There are reduced fees from 1 April and a further reduction from 1 August. Full time secondary and tertiary students receive a discount. Even if you only average one training session a week, that's about $8 a session! And we offer 5 sessions a week, most weeks (2 on Saturdays and Tuesdays). Again, you can download these forms and bring them ready filled in to save time.