STANLEY dragon boater Kyran Ellis paddled as a Beechworth Dragon Boat Club team member at his first regatta in Melbourne two weeks ago when the club came up trumps with bronze medals.

The club known as the Golden Serpents had been one of 19 from around Victoria that competed in the Lunar New Year Regatta Festival held at Victoria Harbour, Docklands.

Proud of the club that had been created in 2021 when training kicked off for the first time in September last year, Mr Ellis said it had been a great opportunity to see how the team came together following their hard work since then.

"We were really competitive and drew a lot of attention to how well we did for the club's first regatta," he said.

"It's a testament to the founders who started and built the club up that has translated into great results at competition level.

"We were fortunate that I was in a mixed boat crew for one of the races where I paddled with my daughter Heidi and son Dorian, and being in the boat together was great fun where we had a good competition result too.

"Our teams were right up there on the day which was really exciting and motivating," he said.

Mr Ellis said the sport was an inclusive for all ages where paddlers worked together as a team.

Taken up as a family sport, his partner Michelle Ellis also a paddler, said she had not known what to expect.

"People were so welcoming when we arrived," she said.

"We had been well prepared by our coaches so we stayed calm and focused but in race mode.

"The regatta had been meaningful too as it had been part of the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations and it was great to see to dragon boats that are part of China's history among celebrations as well as lion dances."

Club committee member and head coach Kellie Jones said many scheduled regattas had been cancelled throughout the season.

"Most of the team had never competed before and we really wanted our paddlers to get the feel for racing against other teams and experience the thrill of competition," she said.

"The Lunar New Year regatta was a perfect one to start with as it's a great atmosphere with the Chinese Lion dance at lunch break, Kayo Sports streaming the racing live and lots of teams participating.

"We went for the experience, but were thrilled to make two grand finals, and bring home three bronze medals across various categories."

The club took out bronze medals for Senior A 20s 200 metre, as well as a Senior A Opens (Men's) 10s 200 metre and Premiers Opens (Men's) 20s 200m with a combined crew of paddlers who joined in from Brave Hearts, Mount Beauty and Yarrawonga.

For more information about the sport and Beechworth Dragon Club visit www.revolutionise.com.au/beechworthdbc/home/.