1What is the date of the festival?

May 6, 2023. Approximately 8am to 4pm

2Where is the festival?

Brittlebank Park, off of Lockwood Dr., Charleston SC 29403

3Are there any COVID requirements?

Currently, there are no COVID requirements for participants, volunteers or spectators. However, anyone who does not feel well is asked to please not attend. We want to keep our cancer fighters healthy!

4How much does it cost to participate?

Each team pays a registration fee of $980. Additionally, each paddler commits to raising $50 through his/her network of friends and family. Paddlers who raise $100+ are eligible to receive a participation medal. The victorious teams and individual who raises the most money win glory, accolades, and free registration the following year. You also get to drink from a really cool trophy!

5What does registration include?

$980 registration pays for 2 practices (April 24 to May 4), a 10x10 tent at the festival, lifejackets, paddles and steersperson. It does not include tables.

Teams that raise more than $5,000 by April 7, 2023 receive a 20x20 tent

6How does a team pay registration?

A team can pay their registration one of three ways: 1) pay the $980 fee online via credit card, 2) pay with a check within two weeks of registering (address below), 3) Each paddler can pay their portion of the registration via credit card on the website ($49.00 per paddler). There are buttons on the bottom of the Festival Home Page to Form a Team, Join a Team, and to Donate to Teams or Individuals!

Captains!!! Please communicate with your team about registration. It gets confusing when you or your company pays your team registration up front, your paddlers don’t know that, and then they proceed to pay their individual registration online.

7To whom should checks be made out to?

Dragon Boat Charleston or DBC

8What is DBC's Tax ID Number?

32-0253953

9What is the DBC mailing address?

1643 Savannah Hwy. #261,
Charleston, SC 29407

10Will donors receive acknowledgement of their gift?

All online donors will receive an automatic thank you note with tax information via email. If the donor sends a check, he/she will receive a postcard thank you acknowledgement (for gifts over $25). If you receive a cash donation, you can email staff to have one sent.

11What is the deadline for cash/check donations?

When you receive check donations, send them to DBC, 1643 Savannah Hwy. #261, Charleston, SC 29407 by April 15th. All checks and cash received after April 16th should be turned in the day of the festival. **Encourage donors to mail checks early and/or donate online!!

12Can teams bring grills, picnics, etc?

Yes, teams can bring grills, food, drinks, etc. to the race venue. No coolers larger than 48-quart size. There are yummy food vendors at the festival. Grills must be placed in the nearest “grilling area” to your tent.

13Is there a cost to spectate?

No, the festival is free of charge for spectators. Please note: while we all love our furry family members, this is not the festival for them. We know, your pet is well-behaved and special -- but please leave them at home. Maybe give them a special treat when you return!

14How are teams made up?

Mixed teams must have at least 8 women. Teams should have 20 paddlers and 1 drummer, but it is recommended to have alternates. (Men's teams have a max of 18 in the boat) All Team Captains must sign a team waiver (available during practice week) that includes everyone on your final roster.

The Charleston Dragon Boat Festival is a community competition for amateur paddlers to raise money for cancer survivor programs. To keep things fair, each team is allowed only 2 traveling paddlers. Traveling paddlers are defined as, 1) individuals who regularly practice/d with a club team, 2) individuals who have participated in races, 3) anyone who has attended a paddling clinic/camp. This rule does not apply to cancer survivor teams where a minimum of 12 paddlers must be cancer survivors.

15How do practices work?

After the Team Captain’s Meeting, and once your team has registered and paid the $980 fee, you will be sent a sign-up link. You will choose two practices from the available list (during the weeks of April 24-April 27 and May 1-May 4). All paddlers are required to attend at least one practice.

If a member of your team cannot attend any of your team practices, he/she can just show up (no need to call ahead) and jump in another team’s practice.

16Drumming Clinics

All teams must have their own drummer. We will offer 2 drumming clinics at 5:30pm on 4/26 and 5/3. (Wednesdays)

17Drop off and Set up

We ask that you drop off as much as possible the afternoon of Friday, May 5. There will be overnight security. It makes the morning of the festival much easier.

18Tents

All teams will receive a 10x10 tent. Only 5k sponsor teams and high fundraising teams have the option for a 20x20 tent that includes a table. Otherwise, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLES/CHAIRS. **teams that raise $5000 before April 7 also will receive a 20x20 tent!!

19Awards

Awards are given to top fundraising team (Community and Corporate) and top individual fundraiser. Awards are also given out for best tent décor, best team t-shirt and overall team spirit. Have fun with it!

20Weather

Festival and festival practices are rain or shine. In the case of high winds and/or lightening, all water activity will be cancelled. A “weather hotline” will be set up in time for practice weeks.

21What does the money raised go toward?

All of the funds raised by the festival go toward the cancer survivor programs of Dragon Boat Charleston. These funds allow survivors to participate FREE OF CHARGE in year-round paddling, in festivals around the country, and in our fitness and nutrition programs like yoga, swimming, indoor rowing, and monthly socials to celebrate survivorship.

22City of Charleston Police Department

CPD joins with us in ensuring the safety of all. You will not be permitted into Brittlebank with HUGE coolers full of alcohol. No paddling while intoxicated or risk forfeiture. Captains will be responsible for ensuring the sobriety of their paddlers.

23Racing

It is a 250-meter course. You can paddle “light” with as little as 16 people, but it is not recommended. All paddlers must be over the age of 14. Mixed teams must have 8 women. All paddlers must be sober. You will not know exactly what time you are racing. The schedule for the first heat won’t be emailed out until Friday, May 5. **Each team will participate in Heats 1 and 2. The top 3 teams in each division will participate in Heat 3.

What Our Paddlers Are Saying About DBC

"I had no idea when I started paddling with DBC that it would become an essential part of my life. What started as having fun on the water in 2003 blossomed into a network of friends and a support group that kept me sane as I underwent surgery and chemo in 2005 and again in 2007. It’s an escape from the horrors of cancer, where I am accepted whether I am strong or weak."
Lynda, Cancer Survivor
"DBC provides a community that accepts everyone where they are physically, as well as emotionally, and allows them to fully participate in a true sport as a team member. Paddling provides a positive challenge for physical and emotional growth, combined with the beauty of the outdoors and just plain fun. It’s good medicine."
Belinda, Cancer Survivor
"Having cancer revealed my physical vulnerability, produced great fear, and threatened my mortality. DBC enhances my physical strength and makes me fearless. The peacefulness of the water, the drum beating in time with my heart, and the communion between paddlers who have all faced a fearful foe, makes me feel immortal."
Gene, Cancer Survivor
"Water is an integral part of the Lowcountry. Getting outside to exercise is important for physical health and mental well-being. A person who has had surgery, been stuck in the infusion room or under a radiation machine (cut, poisoned and burned) doesn’t feel like doing anything. It sucks the strength from a person. You feel that you will never feel human again. You feel ruined. Dragon boating is an opportunity to get outdoors and become one with your body again. You start to feel like maybe you can overcome the cancer toll. You note your surroundings and realize what a great lifestyle the Lowcountry has. The exercise helps build your stamina and brightens your outlook on the future."
Lois
Cancer Survivor