Chris Payne – President

Chris has been involved in dragon boating since 2004. As SAPOL’s Sports Coordinator he successfully introduced the sport to the SA Police and Emergency Services (SAPES) Games and later to the Australia and New Zealand Police Games (ANZPG) and the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG). Chris was the Sport Coordinator for the SAPES Games from 2004-2006, ANZPG in 2005 and WPFG in 2007.

Chris has been President of the Black Sea Dragons since 2019 and was previously President of the Black Dragons for over 10 years where he was awarded a Life Membership. Chris is also a Life Member of the Police Sports Federation Inc., and the Australia and New Zealand Police Games Federation.

Joy Harwood – Secretary

Joy first joined the dragon boat community in 2006 when she participated in a WEA course run by the Club. While it had been a few years since she had competed in a team sport, she was immediately hooked on paddling. Since that time, Joy has paddled overseas and also interstate at National Championships each year.

She enjoys the camaraderie of the sport and finds it personally rewarding to serve on the Committee, encourage newcomers to the sport and help our Club to grow.

Joy Fisher – Treasurer

Joy was a participant in a 2005 WEA ‘Come and Try’ session for dragon boating. She was part of a TAFE Corporate Cup team that was looking to try something different. The rest is history.

She has paddled and drummed for more than 15 years and has been Club Treasurer for 7 years. Joy still takes part in competitions both as a paddler and now, more recently, as a racing official.

Karen Schell – Uniform Coordinator

Karen first came across dragon boating in 2018 while enjoying a morning walk around West Lakes. She saw that there was a mix of ages and genders in the boat all working together competing hard but also having a good time – and she was immediately drawn to the sport. That day she decided to find out how she could get involved.

Karen has never regretted her decision to join dragon boating and has since competed in both State and National Championships and was selected to represent South Australia in the State Team.

Glenette Banks – Streaky Bay Representative

Glenette attended a ‘Come and Try’ event for dragon boating in Streaky Bay in around 2009, and has been involved in the sport ever since. A big part of her reason to continue paddling is the intense serenity she feels when on the water and in nature – the Streaky Bay crew are occasionally joined by dolphins swimming along with the boat during training sessions.

Glenette has competed in local Regattas and also State and National Championships, bringing some medals home with her.

Rob Harding – Vice President

Rob was first introduced to dragon boating when he trained to compete at the 2019 World Police and Fire Games held in Chengdu, China. He hasn’t looked back and has since competed at State and National Championships both as a member of the Black Sea Dragons and the SA State Team.

Rob successfully qualified for the 2023 National Auroras team and will compete in the IDBF 16th World Championships being held in Pattaya, Thailand. In 2023, Rob is also representing Australia in the World Police and Fire Games held in Winnipeg, Canada.

Susan Wilson – Female Captain

Susan’s introduction to dragon boating was as a spectator at the 2010 National Championships held at West Lakes – she had never heard of the sport before then.

Two years later she joined a club and has paddled competitively ever since. In 2019 she was selected to represent the National Auroras team.

Susan brings humour and her love of fitness to our training sessions and always ensures we warm up and down to maintain our mobility and avoid injury.

Maureen Russo – Assistant Treasurer

Maureen is a newcomer to dragon boating, starting through a WEA course in 2023.  One of her previous co-workers asked her to come out and she felt an immediate connection.  She competed in a first nationals in 2024 in Perth and loved it. Up for anything that entails physical activity and spreads my time and energy doing lots of different sports and activities.

Pat Stubbin – Assistant Secretary

Have refereed soccer for 25 years and taught children to referee for almost 20 years. Soccer has occupied my life for 25 years in both coaching and refereeing. Took up dragon boat racing 3 years ago after watching my wife participate in the sport. Took a little while to get use to it. Now love it.

Lyn Payne – Coach

Lyn first started dragon boating in 2005 to develop her fitness and assist in overcoming her fear of water. Since then she has accumulated many State Title medals, several Australian Championship medals, a couple medals from World Club Crew Championships and a couple from World Championships with the Auroras.

In 2006, Lyn studied a Certificate IV in Fitness and Personal Training, followed by the Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF) coaching course. She has coached the Club for 6 seasons at various times.

Lyn has a keen interest in health and fitness and loves sharing it and encouraging other members. She finds that dragon boating is an ideal environment for exercise surrounded by a positive support network.

Dragon boating has taken Lyn all around the world including all of the Australian States, Hong Kong, Penang, China, Hungary and Sabah. She also enjoys the numerous social events offered within the Club.