Paddle at The 2023 Dragon Boat Festival
PADDLERS’ INFO
Paddle Victoria!
Paddles up! Come race at the Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival presented by Fairway Market, and enjoy one of Canada’s most scenic venues in the heart of Victoria.
We bring together teams from across the region for a weekend celebrating the spirit of dragon boat. Victoria’s Inner Harbour plays host to our event, and its scenic backdrop surrounds you as your team glides through the water to the finish line! Experience it yourself this year, and race with us!
Race Info
Register a Team
2023 registrations are now open! Enter before April 15, 2023, our early bird deadline, to take advantage of a 10% discount!
2022 Photo Gallery
Race Info
Past Races
Learn to Paddle
Paddlers’ Activities
Have your team and yourself immersed in the full dragon boating experience! Take part in some or all of our activities, specially geared to build team culture, sportsmanship, and long-lasting connections! Below are snippets of our past events. Stay tuned for further details on what you can expect at the 2023 Festival.
VIB Spirit Award
On the water prowess is one thing, but does your team show team spirit? Show your team spirit – sportsmanship, enthusiasm, fund-raising, community engagement, and positive attitude to the secret judges. You never know who is voting so race hard, have fun and show your spirit – it’s what makes this festival fun!
Watch for details of this contest later this year.
Denny's Festival Breakfast
Don’t miss one of the Festival’s beloved traditions! Fill up for a day of races at Denny’s Festival Breakfast, served on Saturday and Sunday Morning. Enjoy eggs, proteins, pancakes, yogurt, fruit, and coffee by the main stage.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2023 Denny’s Festival Breakfast.
Paddlers’ Pledge Program
Do good in the world. The Paddlers’ Pledge Program brings our community together in support of the BC Cancer Foundation. Take the pledge and raise funds to help fund cancer research and care right here on Vancouver Island. Register yourself or your whole team, and you could win fantastic prizes like free registration in next year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. For more information, view the Paddlers’ Pledge page.
Breast Cancer Flower Ceremony and Honour Arch
Join us as we honour those that have battled, and continue to battle breast cancer at the Breast Cancer Survivor race, followed by the Flower Ceremony.
Breast cancer paddling started in Vancouver in 1996 thanks to work done by Dr. Don MacKenzie. From there, it’s spread across the world. We’re proud to bring this tradition to Victoria at the Festival.
Show your support by being part of our Honour Arch. All paddlers are invited to bring their teams and paddles to the dock exit and create a paddle arch for the survivors to process through at the end of the ceremony.
Medal Ceremony
The top three finishers in each medal division earn medals. Medals will be awarded near the Main Stage! Stay tuned for details on this program.
Paddlers’ Feedback
How are we doing? Your feedback helps us serve you better. Let us know how we’re doing so that the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival can remain one of your favorite Festivals.
Drop by the Information Tent any time and fill out our comments and feedback form!
Join a team
Experienced paddlers?
There are plenty of teams in Victoria actively recruiting new members, and new teams forming every year. Contact us for more information about opportunities for experienced paddlers in Victoria.
Is your team currently recruiting? Email us and we’ll post your openings here.
Corporate Teams
Why Paddle
How to start a team
Please contact us for more information on how you can start your own team.