Kiama’s Cath Munro is heading to Germany to represent Australia at the 17th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.

Cath will compete in the Senior C division at the event, which takes place in Brandenburg an der Havel from July 14-20.

Her journey to the world stage began in a surprising way - through a raffle ticket.

“A friend of mine was selling raffle tickets for the SUDU Dragon Boat Club,” she said.

“I told her I’d always wanted to try dragon boating. I’d done other paddling events like the Murray Marathon in kayaks, but not dragon boating. I went along to try it - and just loved it.”

This will be Cath’s second time representing Australia. She competed in Thailand in 2023 with the Senior B team, bringing home three bronze medals and a silver.

“It’s incredibly competitive, so to come away with medals was amazing. We’re hoping to match or better that this year,” she said.

(Left,top and right) Photos from Cath's last time at the World Champonships and (Left,bottom photo promoting the 2025 World Championships). Photos provided by Cath Munro.

Dragon boating is one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, and Cath says Australia is holding its own on the international stage.

“We tend to do well in water sports,” she said. “Germany, Canada and the US are probably our biggest rivals.”

For Cath, representing Australia later in life is something she finds both humbling and deeply meaningful.

“Wearing the green and gold is really special,” she said. “Standing on the podium and receiving a medal for your country - it’s one of the most profound experiences I’ve had. 

“There's a lot of personal growth in the process. Rowing is as much mental as it is physical.”

Cath also values how accessible dragon boating is, especially for people recovering from injury or illness.

A shot of Cath's team in Thailand. Photos provided by Cath Munro.

“It’s a fantastic sport for people who may no longer be able to run or have lower body injuries. You can be a competitive or a social paddler - it’s healthy, it’s on the water, and it’s fun,” she said.

“You’ve got 20 people in a boat, racing in what’s essentially a sprint. It brings back that team sport feeling from when you were a kid. And many women get into it after breast cancer, as it helps with recovery.

"It’s also helped me - my RSI in my wrist disappeared after I started paddling.”

Preparation for the world stage has been intense. With teammates from across the country - including Townsville, Victoria, and WA - training requires travel and dedication.

“We have three compulsory camps and regular regional hub sessions,” Cath explained. “Right now we’re training five times a week with the competition so close.”

Back home in Kiama, she’s supported by Alan Swan Athletics as well as a local team from Kiama.

“I’ve worked with Alan Swan and his team for three years now. I also work with Pete Parkinson and David Todd at Kiama Leisure Centre. They help me unpack the training program I get from the Australian Dragon Boat Federation. I’m there every week, and I also do yoga twice a week for recovery.”

Cath and her team will race in all four international distances: 200m, 500m, 1,000m, and 2,000m across six days of competition.