Vessi 500 Championship – May 31, 2025

Get set for one of BC’s biggest dragon boat races down at False Creek with 125 teams! 2025 registration now closed; email info@dragonboatbc.ca for assistance!

Key Event Info

• Roster Caps: 26 paddlers/team*, Junior Division exception: 30 paddlers (*for 2025, up to 30 racers may be listed, but only 26 medals will be awarded)
• Rules: Standard Dragon Boat BC racing rules
• NOTE: If you are using this event as a CCWC Race Off Qualifier, please ensure your roster meets DBC rule requirements. This event is eligible to be used as a CCWC Race Off Qualifier.

See full Terms and Conditions on register.dragonboatbc.ca. Refund requests accepted until March 31, and provided: to original method of payment or cheque minus 25% administration fee, or full credit valid until September 30 of the following year. No refunds/credits given after March 31. Transfers to a different team, or divisional or name changes are only allowed until each race registration deadline subject to capacity. Prices are in Canadian dollars, and subject to applicable taxes. In the event of full event cancellation due to smoke, heat, or public health emergencies, race fees will be: fully refunded or carried forward for future use on a Dragon Boat BC gift card.

Map, Navigation, and Key Information

Click above for the 2025 site map!

Team Tents, Marshalling, and Medals

• Please limit your team tents to a maximum of two 10X10 pop up tents, and limit overflow.
• Please keep team tents out of marshalling and pre-marshalling areas.
• Team Tents are allowed in the following areas: Milton Wong Plaza South (area with bird statues); Wooden Boardwalks beside Milton Wong Plaza North, south of Canoe Bridge, and West of Canoe Bridge until Hinge Park; and Hinge Park North as indicated in map below.
• Marshalling and pre-marshalling in effect. Please budget time accordingly.
• Medals: Gold, silver, bronze awarded 20 minutes after each final from Race Registrar tent.

On Site Amenities

• Race Registrar: in Plaza in front of Creekside Community Centre
• Washrooms: located near Canoe Bridge AND inside Creekside Community Centre
• Water: fountain inside Creekside Community Centre and in Milton Wong Plaza North beside Tap and Barrel
• First Aid: First Aid attendant near Race Registrar at top of dock ramp. AED and first aid kits on docks and inside Creekside Community Centre
• Food Trucks: Milton Wong Plaza between North and South Plaza by Athletes Way
• Music and Family Activities: Visit the Vessi 500 Championship to enjoy a day out to celebrate local! See below for more details on our event’s live music and cultural entertainment, plus family arts and craft activities- all free to enjoy!
• Vendors: Milton Wong Plaza North
• Results Board: East of Canoe Bridge along Seawall
• Team Photo Wall: Along Seawall by exit of dock ramps. Visit the team photo wall after your last race, regardless of if you win a medal to capture the day’s memories!

Event Road Detours and Adjustments

Click above for the 2025 event road adjustment and bike detour map!

The seawall closure has unfortunately impacted all of our events, and as a result, all events are being moved back into Milton Wong Plaza as our main event hosting area is impacted. A rough map of the event and closures is provided below. The closures and detours will be supported by VPD officers on site through the day.

• No Parking Zones: Athletes Way from Ontario to Salt; West side Ontario between Athletes Way and Walter Hardwick; East side Manitoba between Athletes Way and Walter Hardwick; West side of Columbia between Athletes Way and Walter Hardwick.
• Street Closures: One way going westbound only between Ontario and Manitoba (no right turns on Manitoba). Full closure of Athletes Way between Salt and Manitoba.
• Bike Lane Reroute: bike lane reroute from seawall to Athletes Way
• Racer Drop Off: Athletes Way on south side in front of Community Centre, and East side of Hinge Park North along Columbia (strict 2 minute drop off only)
• Parking: Under Creekside Community Centre, Urban Fare, and London Drugs.

For any day-of issues, please email info@dragonboatbc.ca or call 604 688 2382 extension 1 to reach our staff, or call the City of Vancouver at 311 for support.

Vessi 500 Championship: Entertainment and Family Activities

In line with our overall work to celebrate local, we’re excited to launch more activities this year for everyone to enjoy at the Vessi 500 Championship between races! Visit Milton Wong Plaza North for family activities, live local music, and exciting cultural presentations like lion dances. All programming is free, and runs from 11:00 AM-4:30 PM. Dragon Boat BC’s cultural programs are presented with the support of the BC Arts Council and Government of British Columbia.

Partners and Exhibitors

Vessi | Title Partner	Vancouver’s own Vessi is back as our Title Partner for the Vessi 500 Championship! Vessi designs waterproof shoes that look and feel anything but, so you can experience the magic of water. Visit their tent to try on a pair of Vessi sneakers, customize your sneakers with exclusive shoe charms, refill your water bottles, and cheer on racers!
Safeway | Major Partner	Safeway joins the team as the Major Partner of the Vessi 500 Championship for the first time! Visit their tent for games, snacks, and tips on healthy living!
Oddball Workshop | Supporting Partner	Oddball Workshop (Official Team Outfitter) is one of Canada’s premier suppliers of sublimated garments. Specializing in Canadian made custom paddle sport apparel for teams and clubs of all levels, Oddball provides quick turnaround times. Their in-house design and production teams ensure creative designs, top quality paddler-focused technical fabrics, and attention to detail. Visit their tent on-site to pick up exclusive Vessi 500 Championship merchandise and other paddling gear!

Marketplace Exhibitors

• A New Studio
• BAK’D Cookies
• Boketto
• Casa de Nata
• Costco
• Diablo Sunrise
• Dirty Bird Jewellery
• Double Wishes Lifestyle
• Evergreen Layers
• Fresh Prep
• Gary’s Kettle Corn
• ggümm Studio
• Hakumori
• Indomie Canada
• Infusion Premium Foods
• Mindfull Mode
• Norwex
• Sika Nova Company
• Silver FX Inc
• Slothee Coffee
• The Nut Merchant
• Twins Donuts

Food Trucks

• Indish
• Japadog
• Lee’s Donuts
• NaMi Vietnamese
• Mukasi Coffee
• The Frying Pan

To be a sponsor, food truck, or vendor on site, please email info@dragonboatbc.ca for assistance.

Visiting Teams

Coming from out of town or abroad? We look forward to welcoming you to the area, and helping you make the most of your time while you’re here. If you require information on local attractions, hotels, visas, or other services, please email info@dragonboatbc.ca. We are pleased to provide offers at our preferred local hotels soon. Please email info@dragonboatbc.ca in the interim if you require assistance.

Results and Grids

2025 Vessi 500 Championship Mixed Division Grid V2 – May 28, 2025
2025 Vessi 500 Championship Women’s Division, Open Cup and Senior Cup Grid V2 – May 28, 2025

New for 2025 – We are now providing online/live results – QR Codes will also be available on site

Women’s Division  live results

Mixed Division Live results

2024 Vessi 500 Championship Mixed Division Results – June 1
2024 Vessi 500 Championship Women’s Division, Open Cup and Senior Cup Results – June 1
2023 Vessi 500 Championship Women’s Division Results – Saturday June 3
2023 Vessi 500 Championship Cup and Mixed Division Results – Saturday June 3
2022 Vessi 500 Championship Women’s Division Results – Saturday June 4
2022 Vessi 500 Championship Mixed Division Results – Saturday June 4
2019 Vessi 500 Championship – Saturday June 8 Results
2019 Vessi 500 Championship – Sunday June 9 Mixed Results
2019 Vessi 500 Championship – Sunday June 9 Women Results
2018 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Saturday June 9 Results
2018 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Sunday June 10 Results
2017 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Saturday June 10 Results
2017 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Sunday June 11 Results
2016 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Saturday June 4 AM Results
2016 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Saturday June 4 PM Results
2016 Dragon Zone 500 Regatta – Sunday June 5 AM Results

For more information, please email info@dragonboatbc.ca.

Vessi 500 Championship Public Partners

Thank you to the Province of British Columbia, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and Sport Hosting Vancouver for their generous support of the Vessi 500 Championship.

The Vessi 500 Championship takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands and waters of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.