Canadian International Dragon Boat
Festival Society 加拿大國際龍舟節協會

Vessi 500 Championship – May 29, 2027

Get set for one of Canada’s biggest dragon boat races down at False Creek. Registration for 2027 opens soon at register.dragonboatbc.ca: take 10% off registration until December 31!

Key Event Info

Event Date	Saturday May 29, est 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
Team Registration/Name Change Deadline	Friday May 14, 5:00 PM
E-Waiver/Roster Deadline (all waivers/ rosters submitted online at register.dragonboatbc.ca)	Wednesday May 19, 5:00 PM
Mandatory Steers/Administrator Briefing	7:00 AM near Marshalling
Race Address/Land Location	Olympic Village/1 Athletes Way
Roster Caps	26 paddlers/team, Junior Division exception: 30 paddlers (for 2027, up to 30 racers may be listed, but only 26 medals will be awarded for all medalling teams)
Race Rules	Standard Dragon Boat BC racing rules
CCWC Dragon Boat Canada Race Offs	If you are using this event as a CCWC Race Off Qualifier, please ensure your roster meets DBC rule requirements. This event will be a CCWC Race Off Qualifier.

2027 Race Fees	Adult Teams	Senior/BCS/All Access Teams	24U Teams	Junior Teams
Mixed Division (3 X 500 M):	$1,400	$1,150	$1,150	$850
Women's Division (3 X 500 M):	$1,400	$1,150	$1,150	$850

Open Cup (1 X 500 M):	$250	$250	$250	$250
Senior C/D Cup (1 X 500 M):	N/A	$250	N/A	N/A

Please click here for the 2026 Official Competition Rules and Regulations.

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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Map, Navigation, and Key Information – 2027 Information TBA

Click above for the 2026 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 the map.
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 in plaza outside Creekside Community Centre
Water: fountain 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 us, and 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 and online at the live results/advancements link
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!

Road Closures and Detours
Road/bike lane closures and detours will be supported by VPD and other traffic personnel on site through the day to host the event.

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 Urban Fare and London Drugs. We also encourage racers to use the surface parking lot accessed off of Switchmen Street.

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, enjoy performances and other family activities 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-5:30 PM. Dragon Boat BC’s cultural programs are presented with the support of the BC Arts Council and Government of British Columbia. 2027 schedule coming late Spring 2027.

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!

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!

Partner and Marketplace Booths, Community Exhibitors, and Food/Beverage Vendors – 2027 Information TBA

Shop local, enjoy a bite, and celebrate the day! To be part of the event, please email activations@dragonboatbc.ca for assistance.

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/Beverage Vendors

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

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.

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown - Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver: Starting at $279

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown – Stadium District/Downtown Vancouver
$279/night up to double occupancy in 1 king or 2 queen room ($25 surcharge for 3rd and 4th guest).
Availability from May 25 to 29, last day to book May 1.
2027 link coming soon.

Take in all of Vancouver with a downtown hotel stay at Sandman Hotel Vancouver Downtown offering comfortable rooms & suites with premium amenities. The Sandman is a 5 minute walk from the regatta site.

Downtown Vancouver is just outside the doors waiting for you to check it all out. For those times when you just want to relax and stay in, there’s no shortage of incredible amenities to enjoy, including access to free high-speed Wi-fi throughout. Lounge by the indoor pool anytime of the year, keep up with goals by getting your reps and steps in at our modern fitness centre and flex your business muscles in our 24/7 business centre.

Results and Grids

Vessi 500 Championship Public Partners

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

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

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

Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society 加拿大國際龍舟節協會