Our Mission

The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society fosters learning and exploration of Canada’s diverse multi-cultural heritage. This is accomplished through the presentation of performing, visual & culinary arts and dragon boat racing.

History

Dragon boating appeared in Vancouver as a demonstration sport at – Expo 86. Vancouverites liked it and interest started to grow.

In 1989 former BC Lieutenant Governor Dr. David C. Lam and prominent businessman Milton K. Wong lead the creation of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival.

The Festival was created to show off Vancouver’s growing cultural diversity and to promote racial harmony among Canadians – new and old. Vancouverites were invited to the festival to experience spectacular food, entertainment, arts and children’s programming reflecting Vancouver’s cultural diversity. At the same time, interest in paddling was taking off and more and more teams formed and registered each year.

Twenty one years later the Festival still fulfills its mandate to promote cultural harmony among Canadians. It has developed into one of Vancouver’s most anticipated summer family events.

Recognized as North America’s biggest and best, Vancouver’s Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival 21st Anniversary was a true celebration of multiculturalism, attracting over 90,000 people and more than 180 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the globe.

Festival has root in Fertility Rites

An Ancient Legend

Dragon Boat racing has its roots in ancient myths and legends. It began more than 2,000 years ago in the valleys of southern China as a fertility rite held during the Summer Solstice to ensure plentiful crops and to avert misfortune. Early dragon boat races were mock battles to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon.

Over the centuries a second story was integrated. The fourth century B.C. was known as the Warring States period. It was a time of treachery and shifting alliances. A patriot and poet named Qu Yuan – much loved by the people – was banished by the King and in despair for the fate of the Kingdom he loved, leapt into a river clutching a heavy rock. The people raced out in their fish boats and tried in vain to save their beloved Qu Yuan. They beat drums and splashed with their oars to keep the fish and water dragons from his body.

Dragon Boat racing today preserves many rituals from its beginnings centuries ago including:

Holding the festival near the summer solstice
Honoring the dragon as a kind beast
Competition – including racing and splashing among rival boats
Using multi-coloured boats decorated with ferocious-looking dragon heads, scaly bodies and elaborate tails
Holding a ritual called “awakening of the dragons” in which Taoist priests perform a ceremony to bless the dragons, cleanse the racecourse and speed the paddlers.


Tweet Home The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival Race Information Registration for Festivals and Regattas Dragon Zone/Register to Practice Learn to Paddle/Join A Team Corporate Programs Boat Rentals Sponsorship Volunteer Special Events Who We Are Contact Information Board of Directors Key Staff History Sustainability Media		Our Mission The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society fosters learning and exploration of Canada’s diverse multi-cultural heritage. This is accomplished through the presentation of performing, visual & culinary arts and dragon boat racing. History Dragon boating appeared in Vancouver as a demonstration sport at – Expo 86. Vancouverites liked it and interest started to grow. In 1989 former BC Lieutenant Governor Dr. David C. Lam and prominent businessman Milton K. Wong lead the creation of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival. The Festival was created to show off Vancouver’s growing cultural diversity and to promote racial harmony among Canadians – new and old. Vancouverites were invited to the festival to experience spectacular food, entertainment, arts and children’s programming reflecting Vancouver’s cultural diversity. At the same time, interest in paddling was taking off and more and more teams formed and registered each year. Twenty one years later the Festival still fulfills its mandate to promote cultural harmony among Canadians. It has developed into one of Vancouver’s most anticipated summer family events. Recognized as North America’s biggest and best, Vancouver’s Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival 21st Anniversary was a true celebration of multiculturalism, attracting over 90,000 people and more than 180 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the globe. Festival has root in Fertility Rites An Ancient Legend Dragon Boat racing has its roots in ancient myths and legends. It began more than 2,000 years ago in the valleys of southern China as a fertility rite held during the Summer Solstice to ensure plentiful crops and to avert misfortune. Early dragon boat races were mock battles to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon. Over the centuries a second story was integrated. The fourth century B.C. was known as the Warring States period. It was a time of treachery and shifting alliances. A patriot and poet named Qu Yuan – much loved by the people – was banished by the King and in despair for the fate of the Kingdom he loved, leapt into a river clutching a heavy rock. The people raced out in their fish boats and tried in vain to save their beloved Qu Yuan. They beat drums and splashed with their oars to keep the fish and water dragons from his body. Dragon Boat racing today preserves many rituals from its beginnings centuries ago including: Holding the festival near the summer solstice Honoring the dragon as a kind beast Competition – including racing and splashing among rival boats Using multi-coloured boats decorated with ferocious-looking dragon heads, scaly bodies and elaborate tails Holding a ritual called “awakening of the dragons” in which Taoist priests perform a ceremony to bless the dragons, cleanse the racecourse and speed the paddlers.