Join us for the 2023 Dragon Boat Festival as we celebrate 20 Years of serving cancer patients, survivors, and their community supporters!!

Join us on Saturday, May 6 2023!

DONATE to a paddler or check out Team Progress here:  LEADERBOARD

Thank you for your interest and support of Dragon Boat Charleston and our annual event that helps support our mission – the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival. In celebration of our 20th Anniversary year, we are more excited than ever to GET IN THE BOAT!  Cancer touches almost everyone, sadly. The Festival is about hope, health, and a coming together of people from all walks of life who want to celebrate life and #fightcancer.

Proceeds from the Festival pay for the expenses of DBC cancer survivor paddling programs, nutrition and yoga workshops, endurance paddles, social and emotional events and get togethers, an 8-week PATH outreach session for cancer survivors, Novice Programs, and race registrations to local and national races -- the ultimate challenge for many of our survivors and supporters. We also paddle year-round 4-5 times per week and host fellowships to meet the social and emotional needs of people. DBC is able to offer these programs because of all the amazing people who support the festival.

No experience necessary, we will provide your training!

• Each team should consist of 20 paddlers and 1 drummer. DBC will provide your steersperson, life jackets and paddles. All team members must be at least 14 years of age (anyone under the age of 18 must have waiver signed by Parent/Guardian). Each team is allowed ONE boat.
• This is an Amateur event! A team may have only 2 club paddlers. A club paddler is defined as someone who, 1) practices/ed regularly with a club team, 2) has participated in races, 3) participated in any type of paddling clinic/camp. These rules do not pertain to cancer survivor teams.
• A 10x10 tent will be provided for your team. No tables are provided.
• Two practice sessions will be provided the two weeks before the festival, beginning April 24. The practice sessions will be scheduled after the Team Captain’s Meeting and as soon as your team pays its registration fee.
• The Charleston Dragon Boat Festival races 4 divisions: Mixed (must have at least 8 women), Women's, Men's (maximum of 18 paddlers) and Cancer Survivors (must have 12 survivors on the team).
• Festival organizers have the right to reduce the number of paddlers for any team based on water conditions and safety concerns.
• We encourage all teams to decorate their tent and get decked out in original team t-shirts. Awards will go to best tent décor and best team shirts.

Participant and Spectator Parking:  There are several lots that are near Brittlebank Park for people to find parking. In addition, we have a RIDE SHARE area and encourage people to use Ride Share when possible!!!

Have Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

To form your team, or JOIN a team, visit the Registration Page: REGISTRATION PAGE

DONATE to a paddler or check out Team Progress here:  LEADERBOARD

A schedule of the day and a Festival Map will be included here as we get closer to the event.