The weekend of June 20th/21st at Shadow Lake in Waterford, Ontario (by the Antique Market on Alice Street).

We are aware Father’s Day is on Race Day. While this may pose an issue for some we encourage you to spend the day in Waterford - it will be a memorable way for families to celebrate the day together (and there are some surprises planned for dads!)

Saturday, June 20th - Practices will be held 12:00-5:00 – included with registration fee is a mandatory 1-hour practice session for all community/novice teams with an experienced steersperson who will also provide coaching instruction. A pre-scheduled time will be booked in advance, between team captain and registration co-ordinator

Sunday, June 21st is race day, all day! (tent. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) Spectators are welcome! Bring a lawn chair and spend the day enjoying all the action.

~ please bring cash – parking is by donation / 50/50 tickets will be available / event buttons will be available for a donation / food vendors may only accept cash

~ The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise is not responsible for any lost or stolen items

~ Though no reminder should be necessary, any actions negatively impacting other team members, steers people, and/or other teams will result in not being permitted on a boat/participating in a race. Safety on the water is paramount to everyone.

~ SMILE! Everyone takes photos! The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise does not take responsibility for any photos taken from any source.

Anyone from tweens to seniors can race provided you’re in good health

20 paddlers per boat + a drummer required per team

• A steersperson/coach will be provided to novice / community team

• Participants 16 and under will require written parental consent

• Teams must have a minimum of 10 females.

• There are no races for all-male teams at this event (see Mixed Teams)

• This is a fun event for novice and experienced paddlers alike, no experience is necessary. NOTE: attending a practice on Sat. June 20th is mandatory for community/ novice teams. More time to have fun out on the water!

• This is a terrific venue for team-building as well as offering organized teams a more laid-back atmosphere to hone those skills!

All races are 250m in length / 3 teams per race. All races will be expertly timed and recorded.

Each team is guaranteed 3 races throughout the day.

Teams must have a minimum of 10 females.

Teens are welcome to participate, with written parental consent, age 16 and younger. Youths will need to bring their own life jacket.

There are no all-male categories at this event.

Alkame Dragon Boat Services from Pickering alkame.ca/services will be supplying the boats, life jackets (adult size only), and paddles. Alkame is extremely experienced in all aspects of dragon boating and will be conducting all the races and tracking the race times as well providing experienced steerspeople to novice/community teams.

$1,000.00 per team if paid in full by MARCH 31, 2026

$1,100.00 per team after MARCH 31, 2026. Payment deadline is MAY 15, 2026.

Your place on the race schedule cannot be confirmed until payment is received in full.

Go to REGISTRATION tab for full details.

• 3 races throughout the day

• Boat, life jackets and paddles for each race

• Experienced steersperson/coach provided for novice/community teams

• Entire day of racing/fun/music/food /relaxing venue in beautiful Norfolk County

Team captains must register and pay for the team – no individual payments accepted. Go to REGISTRATION tab for full details

• Register your team and submit payment

• Ensure each member has signed Alkame’s waiver form (available on Registration tab)

• Schedule the 1-hour practice on Saturday, June 20th (mandatory for all novice/ community teams)

• The team captain is the point of contact with event coordinators (via email, with updates/info) and in turn, forwarding all information to the team

• The team captain (or designate) is responsible for securing a spot in the park to set up your tent (one 10×10 max) and team area

• The team captain (or designate) is responsible for reporting to the registration tent on race day

• The team captain (or designate) is responsible for attending the captains’ meeting with Alkame staff on race day (plan for 8:00 a.m.)

• The team captain (or designate) is responsible for keeping track of race results to ensure your team is ready in the marshalling area when called for your next race(s)

* Times noted are subject to change *

7:30am – set up

The event organizers unfortunately cannot reserve spots for any team for set-up

Due to venue space please only one 10’x10′ tent/sun canopy per team

Bring your own lawn chairs, fold-up tables, small shade umbrellas, etc.

PARKING is available on site – *** by donation. There is also parking on nearby side streets. Please be respectful of people’s lawns/ driveways and designated business parking in the neighbourhood

8:00 a.m. – Registration tent opens *tentative - all time are approximate and subject to change

8:30 a.m. – Races begin! Check the schedule for your team’s race times

Mid-Late afternoon – Final races

Medals are awarded immediately following each final division race, to the 1st place team of that division.

Plan for an entire day of paddling and fun!

• If the day is hot and sunny, wear cool and comfortable clothing – shorts, t-shirt, tank, short-sleeved top

• Teams are encouraged to have distinctive t-shirts!

• If it’s rainy bring some protective gear, towels to dry off in-between races, as well as a change of clothing

• Sensible/appropriate footwear for safe walking on the docks and entering/exiting the boat - no flip-flops or slip-on sandals

• Sunglasses, ball hat, sunscreen are also recommended

• Leave valuables - inc. jewellery, sunglasses, or hats on shore - or at home! - to avoid loss or theft

The event will proceed, rain or shine.

There is no rain date.

Prepare/dress accordingly – dragon boating is, after all, a water sport! Races will only be delayed if there is thunder/lightning but every effort will be made to otherwise continue with the day as planned.

Please note no refunds will be issued should racing have to be permanently suspended due to an all-day thunderstorm.

NO liquor on site; the event has no permit. Wishbone is across the street. Please rehydrate responsibly.

NOTE: For the safety of your steersperson and others on the water you (or possibly your entire team) will be eliminated from racing if there is any sign of ‘overindulgence’.

NO barbeques or similar cooking equipment. There will be food trucks on site and other local eateries that will be grateful for your business.

bring cash in the event debit/credit is not available

Absolutely! We are thrilled to have many local businesses sponsor teams – great for the participants and great advertising for you!

The event is also very grateful to our corporate sponsors. Please contact us if you/your business would like to be an event sponsor.