The St. Augustine Yacht Club is proud to have a Dragon Boat team, the Salt Run Flyers. We started our team in 2015 thanks to a generous donation by Mr. John Meehan, and increased our fleet in 2019 with an equally generous donation by Dr. Catherine Paris.
We are also proud to announce our co-founder; Ms. Geri Rohrbaugh was selected to represent the United States in China at the International World Dragon Boat races. She came home with four bronze and one silver medal.
Dragon boating is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Our boats, the John M., and Catherine P., are ten person models that hold twelve people. Each boat accommodates 10 paddlers, a drummer and a sweep (helmsman). There are also 20 person boats. The crew sits facing forward and propels the boat by paddling in unison.
The sport can be traced back over 2,000 years to ancient China where the boats were used in ceremonial races. Today our team races in regional competitions and festivals.
The Salt Run Flyers practice two times per week in the afternoon. We have space for ten paddlers in each boat, plus a sweep, and a drummer. Practices start at the club as we launch the boat from the nearby boat ramp.
If you are interested in learning more about the sport and the team, please contact Jamie Rohrbaugh (904-607-5670) or Steve Bond (973-567-0616) for more information and to set up attendance at a practice. After you call, print out the registration form and waiver from the links below and bring them to practice. Team membership is open to any yacht club member over the age of 18 and we have a special associate membership for dragon boaters who want to be on the team but do not wish to join the yacht club.
We supply the paddles and training. You supply a desire to learn and a good attitude - while getting some exercise. So come out and join the fun and get a good workout on the water.