Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival MAY 10TH, 2025
Looking for an event in Florida’s Gulf Coast? Join us in Sarasota, welcoming both competitive and recreational teams.
Don't have a team? We have the Experience Dragon Boat Program. Click here for more information.
In what will promise to be a fiercely competitive Sport Division and widely attended Community Division, the event offers racing for established and entry-level teams alike looking to gain competitive experience by competing in a world-class sports facility. Nathan Benderson Park features a 400-acre lake built to FISA specifications. In 2017, the multi-use sports venue hosted the World Rowing Championships, so teams can expect the best racing conditions come race day!
Race distances include 200m, 500m, and the ever-thrilling 2k pursuit for Sport Division teams, while Community Division teams will race 3x500m.
Festival grounds offer something for everyone. Spectators can take in the action and follow the excitement of racing while learning about the sport of dragon boat. Another point of interest is the Health and Wellness Village, where participants and spectators can receive products and services to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Families are invited to bring their children to come to spend time at the races and enjoy the outdoors.
calling all solo paddlers or small groups
Are you looking to get on the water, but don't have a team? GWN is pleased to offer a program for solo paddlers or small groups.
Experience Dragon Boat Train and Race: A five-week program, with one practice per week and finishing up at the Major League Dragon Boat Festival in your community. This is a perfect opportunity to try the sport. We supply you with all the equipment needed - paddles and lifejackets – all you have to do is show up in clothes that can get wet!
Experience Dragon Boat Race Ready: A program designed for people looking for minimal commitment and just want to race. The program offers a 1-hour practice and then participation in the event.
Learn more about either program by clicking here.
EVENT Details
Hover over each tab for more details
PRICING
Category |
# of Races |
Before Jan 1st |
Before March 1st |
After March 1st |
Sport Division Mixed/Women's/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons/Senior B (50+) /Senior C (60+)* |
5 |
$1,145 |
$1,245 |
$1,445 |
Community Division Mixed/Women's/Open |
3 |
$995 |
$1,095 |
$1,295 |
Additional Practice Session |
$100 |
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Prices are in USD and do not include applicable tax (7% Sales tax). Registration Process for tax-exempt teams: Register your team, choose the "check" option on the payment page. Please email your valid tax-exemption certificate to info@gwnevents.com along with the invoice number and method of payment (check or credit card). GWN will send you an invoice without taxes, if paying by credit card, an authorization form will be sent. |
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*At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. |
For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
Community Division vs Sport Division
A community team is considered to be a team that competes in less than 3 festivals in a season. Contact GWN if your team should be granted an exception.
Registration Add-Ons
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20 team site (footprint, not tent rental) within the Athletes' Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available. For more information, please refer to the "Athletes' Village" tab below. Teams may also order practice sessions, please refer to the "Practice" tab below.
LOCATION
Address: The event will take place at Nathan Benderson Park at 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL 34235.
Site Map: Stay tuned for 2024 Event Site Map.
Park Rules: We're committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:
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BBQs and other cooking equipment are not permitted on-site.
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Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the venue.
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Dogs are permitted on-site but must be on a leash (at least 6ft) at all times.
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Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites. In addition to handing out waste bags during team check-in, there will be wastebaskets located throughout the Athletes' Village to maintain the venue's cleanliness. Let's all work together to keep the site clean and green.
SCHEDULE
For the 2024 Race Schedule, please click here.
For Points System and Ranking, please click here.
For 2K Rules of Racing, click here.
At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
Race Marshalling
Marshalling for races will begin promptly half an hour before the first race of the day. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.
Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters on race day. Registration will be open from approximately 6:30AM to 9:30AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.
For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Thursday, April 18th. After this, only paper copies will be accepted.
Team Captain's Meeting
There will be a Team Captain's meeting on Saturday morning in front of the Marshalling Area to discuss race day rules and address any questions, 1 hour prior to racing.
AWARDS
Sport Division: The top 3 teams by points overall in the Sport Division will receive medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze).
Community Division: Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each Grand Final and the top team in each Consolation Final.
Consolation Finals: First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.
Grand Finals: Third and second place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First place teams will receive a trophy and medals.
Awards Ceremonies
Community Division: Ceremonies will take place after each Consolation Race and Grand Final Race. Staff will gather the gold medal-winning team as they come off the water. They will be escorted directly to the Awards Stage. Bronze and silver medal-winning teams will receive their medals in the dock area.
Sport Division: Ceremonies will take place after all races are completed and points are tabulated to determine the winners.
For information on how points are rewarded, download the Festival Points and Awards sheet.
ENTERTAINMENT
Health & Wellness Village:
TBAMarketplace:
TBAArtisan Village:
TBAFood Trucks:
TBA
VENDORS
Marketplace:
- Bambooty Bodygear
- Bath Fitter
- Dragon Saddles
- GWN Pro Shop
Artisan Village:
- All Dried UP
- Dynasty Guacamole
- Handmade Wooden Sports Treasures
- L'Aure
- Lit Dog Treats
- Pepo's Shoes
Food Trucks:
- Siesta Pops
- Tiki Island
PARKING
Nathan Benderson Park's gates will open at 6AM. Ample on-site parking is available. The cost is $10 per car.
VOLUNTEER
Looking to have some fun on the docks? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers.
As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and fast-paced action that is dragon boat racing. You'll also get to experience the energy and excitement of the festival event atmosphere and be a part of a vibrant community of dragon boat enthusiasts. Volunteers will be needed to help with various tasks in ensuring the safety and smooth operations of the event through the various outlined tasks:
- Boat Marshalls: Will be on the dock assisting paddlers with getting in and out of the boats. This position should be filled by people who are comfortable around the water.
- Results Runners: Will be posting the results from the Timing Officials at the Registration Headquarters. This position requires neat handwriting.
- Team Marshalls: Will assist the Marshalling Manager in ensuring that all teams are ready to load into boats at the correct time to maintain smooth running of the races.
- Crowd Control: Will ensure one-way flow traffic from the Marshalling Area after boats are unloaded.
If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, a really cool shirt, and community service hours (if applicable), so please complete this Volunteer Form to join our team! To get more info or ask any questions, feel free to send us an email at volunteers@gwnevents.com.
Additional Information
The official host hotels of the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival are Courtyard Sarasota University Park/Lakewood Ranch Area and Hampton Inn & Suites Lakewood Ranch.
Courtyard Sarasota University Park/Lakewood Ranch Area
8305 Tourist Center Drive
University Park, FL 34201
Phone: 941-360-2626
Features: Free parking, 2 miles from the venue.
Group Name: Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival
Group Rate: TBA
Room Block Deadline: TBA
Reservations: Book online or call 1-800-321-2211 and quote Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival.
Hampton Inn & Suites Lakewood Ranch
8565 Cooper Creek Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34201
Phone: 941-355-8619
Features: Free breakfast, free parking, 2 miles from the venue.
Group Name: Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival
Group Rate: $169
Room Block Deadline: April 8th, 2025
Reservations: Book online or call 1-941-355-8619 and quote Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival.
RENTAL CARS
Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for Major League Dragon Boat participants.
Reservations
To book your vehicle, please click here and enter discount code CDP2188961 or call 1-800-654-2240 and quote the code.
At the time of reservation, you will receive 20% off the retail rate using the discount code above.
AIR TRAVEL
GWN is proud to offer Major League Dragon Boat participants discounts on flights with United Airlines.
United Airlines
Participants can save 5% - 10% off airfares if traveling within US 50 States and between US 50 States and Canada.
To book your travel, visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and enter meeting code ZPH4656886 in the Promotions field.
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20' footprint (not rental) in the Athletes' Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available to rent.
Team Sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams must contact GWN to book their site after they have registered for the festival and paid fees in full.
Teams wishing to rent a tent can do so using the "Get More" option in the Crew Management Tool.
Product |
Price |
10' x 10' Tent |
$285.00 |
10' x 20' Tent |
$425.00 |
20' x 20' Tent |
$550.00 |
Chair Rental |
$5.00 |
Table Rental |
$25.00 |
Prices are in USD and do not include applicable tax (7% sales tax).
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Download a copy of the 2024 Venue Map.
2. Review the site availability grid below.
3. Select a site based on availability.
4. Email your selection to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
ATHLETES' VILLAGE SITE AVAILABILITY
Section 1 - 8: Rented Tents
This section is reserved for teams that have rented a tent through GWN. Each space is 20 x 20 and can accommodate a 10'x10', 10'x20' or 20'x20' tent.
1: Reserved |
2: Reserved |
3: Reserved: Dueling Dragons 1 |
4: Reserved: Dueling Dragons 2 | 5: | 6: |
7: | 8: |
Section 9-44: Reserved Space
This section is for all teams not renting tents through GWN. Each space is 20x20.
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9: |
10: |
11: Draggin Dragons |
12: Vogue Dragons |
13: The Eastport Sun Dragons |
14: | 15: |
16: |
17: |
18: |
19. |
20. | 21. | 22. |
23: |
24: |
25: |
26: |
27. Reserved: Paradragons | 28. Reserved: Paradragons |
29. | 30. |
31: |
32: |
33: |
34: |
35. | 36. |
37: |
38: |
39: |
40: |
41: | 42: | 43: |
44: |
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Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Sarasota, FL 34235
Community teams will receive 1 practice session included in their team fee. Both Community and Sport teams may purchase additional practices for $100 plus tax each, through the online registration system by clicking on the "Get More" button.
Each practice will be 50 minutes. Please arrive at the venue 30 minutes before your scheduled practice time. Practices will not be extended if a team is late.
Practice can only be confirmed once event fees are received in full.
Each paddler must complete an online waiver before attending a practice. A GWN representative will be on-site to check teams in, provide assistance, and collect waivers.
For more information on what to bring, etc. visit our FAQ Page.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Ensure team fees are paid.
2. Check practice availability in the calendar below.
3. Email your preferred date/time to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
4. Let GWN know if you require a coach/steers.
Please allow 48hrs for confirmation of practice times.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
TBA | |
TBA |
1. 2. |
TBA |
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To review the final participant checklist, click here.