DBNSW is committed to ensuring that the sport of dragon boating provides a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. Safety and the prevention of injury to participants are of paramount importance to DBNSW.
For the purposes of safety, ‘DBNSW Events’ are those that are events organised by DBNSW for the benefit of member clubs (for example, DBNSW Regattas and social events), or for individual paddlers (for example, coaching courses and training events for NSW State Team squad members). For DBNSW Events, DBNSW will have principal responsibility for safety.
‘Non-DBNSW Events’ refers to all other activities undertaken by clubs and members of DBNSW, or by corporate teams that use DBNSW equipment or facilities. Such events include training and locally organised regattas, and other (non-paddling) activities.
Responsibility for safety during Non-DBNSW Events rests with the club or individual(s) organising them.
Regardless of the type of event, the key and overriding principle is that no person should be forced or shamed into participating in an activity that they do not feel is safe.
Secondly, and for all paddling activity, the sweep is the designated ‘master of the vessel’ under NSW maritime legislation and is ultimately responsible for the safety of his or her boat. If the sweep feels that conditions exist that prejudice the safety of anyone in the boat, then it is the sweep’s prerogative (and legal duty) to:
- stop on-water training as soon as is practicable; or
- require the type and intensity of the training to be modified to make it safe.
No one (whether they be DBNSW officials, club coaches or officials, or any other person) may override the decision of the sweep. Indeed, the sweep is legally empowered to issue such instructions.
Safety Documents
Note: due to the on-going review of current safety documents, Clubs may consider there are areas where DBNSW advice is not sufficient. In all circumstances, and regardless of the existence of documentation or guidelines, Clubs should err on the side of safety and proper risk assessments (formal or informal) should always be conducted and prudent precautions taken. The aim always is to reduce the risk to as low as is reasonably practicable.
DBNSW Safety Policy
DBNSW Safety Guides
A series of guidelines designed to assist in the making of decisions relating to safety and injury prevention. These documents will be made available soon.
- DBNSW Safety Guide 01 (DSG-01) General safety
- DBNSW Safety Guide 02 (DSG-02) Lightning
- DBNSW Safety Guide (NSW0023) Hyperthermia (heat-related injury)
- DBNSW Safety Guide (NSW0022) Hypothermia (cold-related injury)
- DBNSW Safety Guide (NSW024) Towing boats (on land and on water)
- DBNSW Safety Guide 06 (DSG-06) Inspection of new training and racing sites
Safety Forms
Proforma documents to assist with the assessment and management of safety, and the reporting of incidents. These documents will be made available soon.
Additional Documents
Existing DBNSW safety documents are under review. They are provided for reference only.
- Injury Report Form
- Erg Machine Use
- Use of Boats at Bank St - Safety Guidelines
- Corporate Training Guidelines
- Corporate Training Policy
All questions relating to this Safety page and to linked documents should be addressed to DBNSW office.
