Race Day Schedule (times are approximate)
7:30 am - Captains/tillers meeting at the stage in front of MOHAI (all paddlers welcome!)
8:00 am - Opening ceremony and eye dotting ceremony
8:30 am - First race
10:40am - Pride Cup Jumble / Paradragons
12:30pm - All Cancer Survivors, Cancer Survivor Ceremony
12:55pm - Finals begin
4:15pm - Last race of the day
Paddler Amenities (for registered racing teams)
One complementary 10x10 foot tent will be provided for each 20-person registered team
Personal team tents are allowed and must have 25 lb weights on each leg, please indicate this on your registration form so we can allocate space on the tent map
There is no table in the complementary tent
A water station will be provided, please bring your own water bottles to refill
Loaner paddles and PFDs will be available at the Marshalling Tent
Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each division
Food and merchandise vendors and information booths will be on-site
The festival will have Asian cultural performers throughout the day
Raffle tickets and event merchandise (jerseys, t-shirts, paddle stickers, etc.) will be available for purchase on race da
Race Course
The 5-lane race course will be marked with buoys at the 500m start, 250m start, and finish line. Boats will be loaded and unloaded at the north wall of Lake Union Park (orange box below). Chase boats will be on the course for safety and to communicate with other recreational boaters.
Race Divisions
Standard 20-person Mixed
4 races guaranteed: 2 seeding heats (1x250m and 1x500m), 1 semi-final (1x500m), and 1 final (1x500m)
Maximum 10 men, racing in 20-person Standard BuK boats
Steersperson and drummer can be of either gender
Minimum of 16 paddlers required
Standard 20-person Women’s
4 races guaranteed: 2 seeding heats (1x250m and 1x500m), 1 semi-final (1x500m), and 1 final (1x500m)
All paddlers and drummer must be women, racing in 20-person Standard BuK boats
Steersperson can be of either gender
Minimum of 16 paddlers required
Standard 20-person Community Mixed
3 races guaranteed: 2 seeding heats (2x250m) and 1 final (1x250m)
2 pre-festival practices are included with the registration
Maximum 10 men, racing in 20-person Standard BuK boats
We can train, or provide a drummer; an experienced steersperson will be provided
Minimum of 16 paddlers required
Specialty 20-person Masters Mixed 40+
1 race guaranteed: 1 final (1x500m)
All paddlers must be 40 years or older
Maximum 10 men, racing in 20-person Standard BuK boats
Steersperson and drummer can be of either gender
Minimum of 16 paddlers required
Specialty 10-person Open (new for 2026!)
3 races guaranteed: 2 seeding heats (1x250m and 1x500m), and 1 final (1x500m)
10 padders racing in 20-person Standard BuK boats
Paddlers, drummers, and steersperson can be of any gender
Minimum of 8 paddlers required
Specialty 20-person All Cancer Survivors
1 race guaranteed: 1 final (1x500m)
All paddlers must be cancer survivors of any gender
Minimum of 16 paddlers required
Specialty 20-person Paradragons (new for 2026!)
1 race guaranteed: 1 final (1x500m)
>50% paddlers must have some form of physical, psychological, neurological, sensory, developmental, or intellectual impairment, of any gender.
A minimum of 16 paddlers is required.
Learn more about paradragons here: https://www.dragonboat.sport/paradragons/
Cancellation Policy:
If a team cancels ON OR AFTER May 1, no refunds will be issued
If a team cancels BEFORE May 1, they will be refunded minus a cancelation fee equivalent to 25% of the amount paid
Festival Cancellation Policy:
If an insufficient number of teams register for the festival, the Seattle Flying Dragons may cancel the event with a minimum of 30 days notice. In this case, each registered team will receive a full refund of their race registration fees only.
In the unlikely event of canceling due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Seattle Flying Dragons, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war, weather, or natural disaster, Seattle Flying Dragons cannot be held responsible for any cost, damage, or expense which may be incurred by registrants as a consequence of the festival being canceled.