DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
River City
Dragon Boat Festival
Our classic “Big Boat” Dragon Boat festival is open to all types of teams, from corporate to community, or ones made of family and friends.
The River City Dragon Boat Festival started in 1996 and has since grown to a 50-team event every year! Come out and participate or even see what the festival is all about!
This years event will take place on May 31, 2026, starting at 9AM.
Every team will be provided with a coach/steers person, as well as PFD’s and paddles for their practices and races.
Every team will have two practices leading up to the event (Tuesday/Thursdays from May 12-May 28th)
The Captain is responsible for booking the individual teams practice and ensuring that all members sign their Activity Consent Form prior to the event.
Register early to avoid disappointment! Please register here!
Practice schedule (for Team Captain’s only).
EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 10th, 2026
Regular - $1100 / Early Bird - $1000 per boat
*Please contact us at mckcwpg@gmail.com if you have any questions.
VENDORS***
Please complete our Vendor Registration Form to book your spot that the Festival!
Manitoba Grade School
Dragon Boat Festival
In 1990, the Manitoba School Dragon Boat Challenge started as a war canoe event for teams to test their speed and skill against over schools in the province. Grades 7-12 teams race 500m in a battle to the finish to be named the fastest boat on the water. At the end of the day, there is also always an exciting 8-boat final race!
As the largest school dragon boat event in the country, this festival is open to all schools across the province, with 50 teams coming, some as far as Cross Lake, to compete! Races are held at the Manitoba Canoe & Kayak Center. Family and friends are welcome to cheer on these outstanding teams.
This years event will take place on May 30th, 2026, starting at 9AM.
Every team will be provided with a coach/steers person, as well as PFD’s and paddles for their practices and races.
Every team will have two practices leading up to the event (Mondays/Wednesdays from May 11-May 27th)
The classroom teacher is responsible for booking the individual teams practice and ensuring that all students sign their Activity Consent Form prior to the event.
Spots fill up quick, please register here!
Practice booking (Teachers only).
EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 10th, 2026
Regular - $550 / Early Bird - $500
*Please contact us at mckcwpg@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Vendors***
*Please complete our Vendor Registration Form if you're interested in joining our event!
September Dragon Boat Festival
Round and round and round we go! This Festival is different from our others, instead of our normal 4 to 8 boat straight-line race this festival is in pursuit format in 10 person boats. Races start are held at the Manitoba Canoe & Kayak Center, and, as always, come out to watch teams pursue each other around the course.
The September Festival is unique for its pursuit format. Teams start across from each other and race in opposite directions chasing each other, in a circle, back to where they started. It's an incredible race for spectators and paddlers alike!
This years event will take place on September 13th, 2026, starting at 9AM.
Every team will be provided with a coach/steers person, as well as PFD’s and paddles for their practices and races.
Every team will have two practices leading up to the event (any day of the week from August 24th-September 10th)
The Team Captain is responsible for booking the individual teams practice and ensuring that all students sign their Activity Consent Form prior to the event.
Please register here if you're interested!
Practice schedule (for Team Captain’s only)
EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY 19TH, 2026
Regular - $600 / Early Bird - $550
*Please contact us at mckcwpg@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Community
As a not-for-profit, Provincial Sport Organization, we take our Mission, Vision and Values to heart! We work hard to develop the skills of athletes at all levels. We are unmatched by anyone or any organization in Manitoba to promote paddling as a way to enhance the lives of those who participate.
Safety
MPA makes safety our number one priority. We have an excellent reputation and superior safety record. We ensure that individuals, as well as teams, complete their races in the safest manner possible. That can only be possible because of the training, knowledge, experience, and dedication of our staff and volunteers!
Coaching
All teams entering our Dragon Boat events are coached by experienced paddlers who have competed nationally as well as internationally. We pride ourselves in the fact that our coaches know what it takes to work with the teams to reach their potential.
The Never Alone Cancer Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people affected by cancer.
The Never Alone Cancer Foundation has partnered with the Manitoba Paddling Association to keep dragon boating a big part of Manitoba summers (and winters)!
These festivals are so important to us because they will enable us to support cancer patients and their families in Manitoba. This can include groceries for a single mom too sick to work during treatment. A Brave Barbie for a little girl who’s lost her hair from chemo. For another person, it’s transportation to their medical appointments or the cost of medications. Sometimes it’s just a visit and a small gift to someone who is frightened, so they know they are never alone on their cancer journey.
Donations and pledges gathered through the festivals support our mission to provide emotional, financial and informational support to patients, families and caregivers affected by cancer and all money raised stays in Manitoba.
What is Dragon Boat?
Dragon boating is a team paddling sport with a rich history that dates back more than 2,000 years. It is a fun sport for all ages and abilities that encourages leadership, team building, and an active, healthy lifestyle while contributing to your community through charitable initiatives and it is a great way to introduce large groups to water sports in a safe and inclusive way on Winnipeg’s scenic Red River.
At the Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Centre there is opportunity to paddle dragon boat regardless of your age, skill level, or experience , as we have programs and events for beginners, recreational paddlers, and even competitive and National team level paddlers.
The Dragon Boat Team consists of:
Paddlers (10-20): Propel the boat using paddles while seated on benches in the boat.
Drummer (1): Keeps the rhythm of the paddle strokes by playing a drum or counting out loud while sitting at the bow.
Steersperson (1): Steers the boat from the stern using an oar-rudder.
Paddling Technique: Paddlers pull water along each side the boat, similar to canoes and kayaks. Paddling in unison as a team, is key to moving the boat forward with speed.
Never paddled before?
Don’t worry! Our festivals include two practice sessions (with an experienced coach) and all necessary equipment with your registration. All you have to do is get your team together, register and we'll help with the rest!