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A team race with long canoe-like boats with 20 paddlers + drummer & steersperson. Each heat is a sprint against multiple teams racing side by side and is typically completed in less than 2 minutes. It's fun with an adrenaline rush!

In the interest of preserving the novice spirit of the race, each team can only have 1 (ONE) experienced paddler on the team roster. Experienced is defined as having at least 1 year paddling experience in any type of water sports paddling. This definition applies to kayakers, SUPs, canoe, outrigger, and dragon boat paddlers. A team formed by former/previous/ex- outrigger paddlers is not considered novice and would not be suitable to register for this race.

The minimum age is 13. You need 20 people to form a team (not including the drummer and steers person).  Of the team members, there must a minimum of 16 people to race, maximum of 10 males, and minimum of 8 females in a race. Drummers (upon request) and steers persons (Bay Area Dragons certified only) will be provided.

Yes. Please email race@bayareadragons.org if you would like to try out dragon boating.

Gather a group of colleagues from your company or community organization. Ask your organization to fund as a team building event or collect from individuals. Or get a group of friends together for a fun activity. The race organizer, Bay Area Dragons, is a 501(c)(3) foundation and your entry fee is tax deductible (Tax ID 94-3308173).

We are not accepting individual registrations. Contact us if you would like to participate and we will make our best effort to pair you up with a team.

Practice sign-up and info will be sent out to registered/paid teams when it becomes available. You will be able to reserve 2 practice sessions during the weekends prior to the race at the practice site in Foster City, California. 

Race day starts at 8am and races run from 9am to approximately 4pm, with awards ceremony at approximately 4:30pm. At least half the participating teams will go home with bling! You will get a designated area to camp and it's suggested to bring your own canopy tents, chairs, snacks, and drinks. We plan to have food trucks during lunch and there is a Safeway and a few restaurants across the street.  All racing equipment is provided. Wear layered clothes and you will most likely get slightly wet (splashes) during the race. Detailed race day information will be provided prior to race day.

Yes, but your payment must be confirmed to receive a donation receipt. Please submit a single payment vs. individual payments from your teammates. A payment from your company is accepted. The team entry fee is considered tax-deductible. Please contact treasurer@bayareadragons.org for any questions.

The race began as ‘Paddle For Life’, a charity race organized by the Bay Area Dragons (BAD), a local team based in Foster City.  Its goal was to introduce the sport of Dragon Boat to beginners and newcomers while giving back to local charities for cancer. Paddle for Life ran successfully for 10 years until 2010, when it was subsequently moved to other states.  

In 2014, BAD decided to revive the race in Foster City to build a novice circuit for the beginner and corporate teams of the local community.  The Bay Area Dragon Boat Novice Race is a fun opportunity to encourage team building, get active, and meet people in communities across the Bay Area!

Full refund only if more than 45 days before race day.

If less than 45 days then 50% of refund if a waitlisted team takes their spot, if not then no refund.

A waitlisted team needs advance notice to get their paddlers to commit to practices so we can’t expect waitlisted teams to sign up with only 1 month notice.