Race in the Inner Harbour!
PADDLER INFO
Paddles up in the Inner Harbour!
Registration is now closed for 2024. Thank you to all of the teams for joining us. Race grids will be posted on this site on Tuesday August 6. Racer Village tent assignments are now live as well below.
Race in the Inner Harbour with a refreshed and more exciting race course on August 10, and enjoy one of Canada’s most scenic venues in the heart of Victoria. Starting in 2024, to create a more exciting race for teams and visitors, and in anticipation of major and permanent Inner Harbour marine construction, the Festival is excited to announce a permanent adjustment for the race program to a sprint race format, running on Saturday August 10.
The Festival’s teams- competitive and recreational- from around Vancouver Island, the Mainland, the Interior, Washington, Oregon, and beyond. Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the scenic backdrop to your team’s time with us. If you’re racing with us for the first time and need information, reach out to us at info@victoriadragonboatfestival.com, and we’d be happy to provide support accordingly!
RACE WITH US!
Registration for 2025 opens in late 2024. Thank you for your interest!
Race with us in 2024 on our refreshed, and exciting ~250M race course on Saturday August 10! Register now and join in on the fun!
2024 Race Program
- Distance: New for 2024, we will be debuting our new ~250M race course to make the day more exciting for teams and visitors, and in anticipation of major works in the Inner Harbour.
- Divisions: Mixed, Women
- Number of races: 4 races per team
- Specialty Cups: Visiting Team Cup, Senior Cup, Breast Cancer Cup
- Equipment: All races are held with IDBF 1222 standard BuK boats seating 20 paddlers, a drummer, and steers.
- Flower Ceremony: TBA
- Please note: Due to the Inner Harbour’s unique nature, breaks are required in the morning and afternoon to allow for the arrival and departure of commuter ferries and airstrip movements. These breaks are built into the race schedule; thank you for your understanding.
2025 REGISTRATION FEES
Mixed or Women’s Division: TBA
- TBA
- Mixed: minimum 8 female/maximum 10 male paddlers
- Women: all racers except steersperson must be female
Specialty Cup Races: TBA
- TBA
Refunds requested until May 31 are subject to a 25% holdback. No refunds provided after May 31. Transfers subject to space availability and review, and may be subject to an additional processing fee. All prices are plus applicable taxes. Email info@victoriadragonboatfestival.com for assistance.
WAIVERS AND ROSTERS
Waivers/rosters are completed digitally on register.dragonboatbc.ca. Email info@dragonboatbc.ca for assistance with your waivers/rosters.
Paddlers’ Pledge Program
Do good in our community. 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. Click here for more information and to donate now.
Medal Presentations
The top three finishers in each division earn medals. Please visit the Race Registrar’s tent approximately 30 minutes after your race to pick up your medals.
And, regardless of if you won a medal or not, visit our photo wall with your team to capture a moment from the Festival with our photographers!
Join a team or start your own- start your paddling journey here!
Did you know that Victoria is one of the few places in Canada that you can paddle all year round? Dragon boat is growing in Victoria, and there are dozens of teams training on our waterways. Join a team with VI Paddling or Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club this year.
Email us at info@victoriadragonboatfestival.com for assistance on joining a team, or starting your own team!
Join a Team
- There are many teams in Victoria actively recruiting new members, plus new teams forming every year. From teams that are looking to race at a high competitive level, to community teams looking to race for fun, there’s a team out there for you to start with!
Start a Team
- Dragon boat offers a unique opportunity to bring together friends, employees, stakeholders, or communities through a fun team-building activity that includes everyone. With special emphasis on collaboration, communication, commitment and co-ordination, the lessons learned on the water have impact far beyond the finish line.
Visiting Team Accommodation
Get a good night’s rest before you hit the water; we’ve got a range of hotels nearby so you can enjoy everything Victoria has to offer while you’re in town with us!
Past Races
Looking for information on past race results and competitors? Visit our Festival archives to learn more about our paddling experience.