Volunteer With Us!

2025 event volunteer sign up is now open. 

Become a Volunteer – Make the Dragon Boat Festivals and Races a Success!

Our dragon boat festivals and races are just around the corner, and we need you to help make it a success! Volunteers are the heart of these events – without your support, we couldn’t make it happen.

No prior experience needed-just bring your enthusiasm and community spirit!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

About Dragon Boat BC

Community, culture, and competition. All in one boat.

The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (dba Dragon Boat BC) is the non-profit producer of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival. This year, the Festival will feature a reimagined program celebrating our community, its cultures, and the spirit of competition.

The Society also produces a series of races, cultural programming, and community initiatives centred around the traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat. Through our All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes paddling experiences accessible regardless of any barriers to participation.

Current Opportunities

Event Volunteering Opportunities

This year, Dragon Boat BC is looking for volunteers for the following events.

Lower Mainland/Vancouver Festivals and Races

  • Burnwater Youth Regatta/Burnwater Spring Sprint – May 3, 2025- Olympic Village
  • Vessi 500 Championship – May 31, 2025 – Olympic Village
  • Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival – June 20-22, 2025 – Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek
  • FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival – August 23, 2025 – Imperial Landing Park
  • Oddball Fall Classic – September 27, 2025 – Olympic Village

BC Festivals and Races

  • Harrison Dragon Boat Festival – July 26, 2025 – Harrison Lake (Village of Harrison Hot Springs)
  • Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival presented by Fairway Market – August 9, 2025 – Inner Harbour and Ship’s Point (Victoria)

Please email us at volunteer@dragonboatbc.ca for more information. Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Dragon Boat BC!

Let’s paddle together to an unforgettable event! Community, culture and competition. All in one boat.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

Volunteer Registration Information

  • All volunteers, regardless of whether you have registered before, must register for the new year. Returning volunteers must register again each year; re-acceptance is not automatic.
  • Once you have registered, select only the event(s) and position(s) you will attend. You don’t need to select all the events at once. You can return to the registration site as often as you like.
  • Please DO NOT select multiple positions where the shift times overlap one another unless it is for the same position where you intend to spend two shifts.
  • Once you have submitted your event(s) registration, you will receive an email confirming the details of your registration. Please print this out as a reminder of your commitment. In almost all cases, this is also your confirmation of your volunteer schedule unless you hear otherwise. About 3-4 weeks before the event, you will receive specific details regarding your volunteer shift. Sometimes the times may change slightly due to the race schedule being adjusted.

Why Volunteer?

  • Be part of an exciting cultural event
  • Meet new people and become part of a dynamic team
  • Give back and strengthen our community
  • Get a sense of fulfillment and purpose

Volunteer Benefits

As volunteer, you’ll enjoy the following perks as a thank you for helping us deliver community, culture, and competition across BC:

  • Volunteer T-Shirt;
  • Food and beverage provided during volunteer shifts;
  • Letter for volunteer hours provided on request.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteer roles vary depending on the specific requirements of each event. For example, every
event requires Dock Volunteers but most events do not require Guest Services.

Race Operations: Dock Volunteer, Race Administration Support

Race Operation Volunteers are essential to ensuring the smooth running of all races during the event. Your role will keep the competition organized and on schedule. The majority of volunteers
will be working on the docks to ensure the safety of the paddlers but there may be a few who could be assigned to help with Crew Marshalling or running results to result boards for the Race Registrar.

Guest Services &Hospitality: VIP Lounge, Information

Guest Services and Hospitality Volunteers provides support to the general public and racers throughout the site by providing information, direction, etc. VIP Lounge Volunteers ensures the
comfort of guests, sponsors and dignitaries through a number of responsibilities.

Beer Garden: Alcoholic Beverage Server

Beer Garden Volunteers must be 19 years of age and have a Special Server’s permit that allows them to serve alcoholic beverages. The cost of the permit will be reimbursed upon attending the shift.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Volunteer FAQ

What is the minimum age to volunteer?

The minimum age is 15 years old with the approval of a parent or guardian. Anyone under 18 years
old need parental approval.

When will I hear back about my application?

You will receive an auto-generated email confirming your application almost immediately. Specific
details about your volunteer work will be sent approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the event.

How long are the shifts?

Each shift is between 4-6 hours depending on the event.

When will I receive my volunteer letter if I require one for school/work?

In most cases, you can get a physical letter at the end of your shift. If not, it will be emailed to you within a week.

Is there training for volunteers?

Training will take place just before your shift. None of the volunteer positions are difficult to learn so rather than having people attend on a separate day, training time is built into the beginning of
your shift.

I can’t access the registration site.

Try using another internet browser. That usually fixes the problem.

What happens if I can no longer make my shift or need to make changes?

Please email us at volunteer@dragonboatbc.ca and let us know.

Can I register my group to volunteer?

Absolutely! You just need to register each person as there are personal waivers that needs to be
signed.

© 2025 Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society