The dragon boating team Bay Dragons are looking for new members, so if you're keen to try a new sport and meet some great people, then now is the time to give it a go.

Dragon boating is a sport that combines teamwork, technique, timing and power to paddle a boat in unison.

Bay of Plenty Dragon Boat Club president Brooke Hargreaves says dragon boating improves all over body fitness, but it's relatively low impact and helps with mental health as well.

'It's hard to explain the sensation that you get when you're on the water,” says Brooke.

'You might have had a really rough day or a rough week, and you get out on that water for an hour and your whole mental state just changes.”

They are looking for people aged 12 and up of any fitness level to join the fun.

'Dragon boating has all those aspects that people are looking for when they do team sports - fun and comraderie, fitness and socialising on-and-off the water,” says Brooke.

'We have social and competitive aspects to our team, so it's entirely up to the individual whether or not they want to compete.”

For those that are interested in competing, the club has a great record, taking out 11 medals at the 2021 New Zealand Dragon Boating National Championships.

The club sent three teams to the regatta at Lake Hood in Ashburton and the Women's, Mixed and Boobops Breast Cancer Survivors brought back nine golds, one silver and a bronze medal.

The sport runs from September until the end of March and they will meet for training at Covid alert level two. Meetings are on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Sulphur Point in Tauranga.

'The majority of us love getting out on the water on a Saturday morning,” adds Brooke.

'Nine times out of ten, it's really glassy and flat and the sunshine's coming out. It's just really good relief from a hectic week.”

Brook encourages anyone that wants to increase their fitness - and have fun while doing it - to join the team.

For more information or to join, email: baydragons_recruitment@yahoo.co.nz