About the Festival
Historically, the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is a Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar in memory of the Chinese scholar Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a Chinese Poet who lived around 340 - 278 BC. Some 2000 years later Dragon Boat festivals have been sweeping the globe. Here in our small city of Laconia the Dragon Boat Festival has been sponsored by Gilda's Club and Lakes Region Cancer Support Team and now has found its home with the Laconia Rotary Club. As has been tradition with our Dragon Boat Festival, proceeds for this event will be donated to The Cure Starts Now in support of their work in brain cancer research dedicated to, not just fighting one cancer, but the elimination of ALL cancers.
There will be a prize for the person or team that raises the most money in addition to the registration fee.
For more information contact us at dragonboatfestival@laconiarotary.onmicrosoft.com
When: September 20, 2025, starting at 8:00 AM
Where: The NASWA Resort, 1086 Weirs Blvd, Laconia, NH 03246
What is a Dragon Boat?? Glad you asked! A Dragon Boat is a 40 foot long, narrow canoe-like boat. The crew consists of 16 paddlers sitting two abreast, a drummer who sits a the head of the boat and beats out a paddling rhythm for the crew, and a steer-person at the rear of the boat. The steer-person will be a staff member from the 22 Dragon's race coordination team.
Regardless of how young, old, big or little: once a paddler is in stroke, they are contributing to their team and get a perfect activity for friends and family.
Can I participate if I’ve never paddled a Dragon Boat Before?
Absolutely NO experience is needed to participate, and we provide the boats, paddles, life jackets, a time to practice and the race course. Participation is easy - create and register your team, designate a Captain.
What is the minimum age to participate?
12 years of age. People less than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
How many people do we need for a team and can we change who is paddling on our team for a race?
A team consists of 16 paddlers, 1 drummer, and a steersperson. (If your team does not have an experienced steersperson, we will provide one.) We recommend having a team roster of between 18-20 individuals, just in case there are any last minute changes in your team.
If an individual is listed on the team roster submitted, you can change who is paddling in any given race. You may not add individuals to your roster once it has been submitted when your team checks in on race day.
Who is running the race competition?
22Dragons, a company from Montreal, Canada provides the boats, all the necessary paddling, and safety equipment and will run the practices and the races. They are one of Canada’s largest dragon boat racing clubs, and with 22Dragons USA Inc, North America’s leading dragon boat racing event service providers.
How long is the racecourse?
The racecourse will be approximately 200 meters (about two football fields) in length. It will take about one to two minutes to complete a race.
Will we have a chance to practice paddling and working as a team with a dragon boat?
Yes! If your team does not paddle a dragon boat regularly, your team can participate in a racing “how-to” seminar and up to one hour of practice during the week of the festival with a 22Dragons Coach. After your team registers, your Captain will be informed of your practice date and time (which will be on the Festival week on Thursday or Friday in the afternoon or early evening). You should try to have all your team members attend.
Who steers the boat?
Good question – Teams do not need to worry about steering. Unless you have a very experienced steersperson a 22Dragons Staff Member will be on each racing boat to do the steering. Your team will handle the paddling and drumming!
How many times do we race?
Each team will race a minimum of three (3) times.
How long is the racing day?
Racing will take place from 8 am to approximately 1or 2 pm. There will be a late-morning break.
Will there be food and beverages available?
Food and drinks can be purchased from the NASWA Resort. Teams are welcome to bring pop-up tents, blankets, and chairs to make themselves comfortable! Please refrain from bringing food or drinks as the spectator area will have food and beverages available.
Is there parking?
Yes. Team members can park at NASWA. Other people can park at the Weirs Community Center, 25 Lucerne Ave, Laconia, NH. Bar Hoppa will provide shuttle service from WCS to the NASWA or you can walk there in about 10 minutes.
Where is a good place to stay overnight?
The NASWA Resort is offering team members 15% off for 2-night stay with code DRAGON. Call for reservations 888-55-NASWA and tell them you are with the Dragon Boat Festival.
SPONSOR LEVELS
$2,500+ Corporate Sponsorship
Benefits
- Recognition on all Dragon Boat Festival marketing materials before, during and after the festival (must commit prior to 8/1/2025)
- Logo on official event t-shirts (must commit prior to 8/1/2025)
To join as a Corporate Sponsor, contact dragonboatfestival@laconiarotary.onmicrosoft.com
$1,250 Event Sponsor
Benefits
- Recognition on all day-of-event materials (if committed prior to 8/1/2025)
To join as an Event Sponsor, contact dragonboatfestival@laconiarotary.onmicrosoft.com
Team Registration
Required: Team Roster for each team and a signed waiver for each team member. See links to those documents below.
Early Bird Registration Fees (2/1/25-7/1/25):
Team names will be on the t-shirts.
Corporate Team - $2,000/team Click here to register and tell us the name of your team.
These boats can be for employees and their family members of the sponsoring corporation or team members recruited from outside the corporation. If your team raises more than you need for registration, send the rest of the money as a donation.
Sport Team - $1,500/team Click here to register and tell us the name of your team.
This division is reserved for teams that practice together regularly outside of this event. If needed, practice slots may be available for traveling teams on the Friday evening before the festival. If your team raises more than you need for registration, send the rest of the money as a donation.
Community Team - $1,500/team Click here to register and tell us the name of your team.
This division is reserved for local teams with little to no practice or race experience.
This participation opportunity is for groups like friends, neighbors, co-workers, clubs, sports teams, local businesses, non-profits, etc., who want to form a team and race! If your team raises more than you need for registration, send the rest of the money as a donation.
Regular Registration Fees (Starting 7/2/25. Team names might not be on the shirts.):
Corporate Team - $2,300/team
Dragon Boat Club Team - $1.800/team
Community Team - $1.800/team
.png)
