kingston DRAGON BOAT FEsTIVAL 2027
THE DATE
Sunday 18th July 2027
THE PLACE
Canbury Gardens - Kingston
KT2 5AU
YOUR CREW
16 paddlers + 1 drummer
ENTRY PRICING
£tbc
Per team including VAT
A GREAT DAY. A LOCAL CAUSE.
Make waves for what matters.
Dragon Boat Events works with Friends of Canbury Gardens and The Boaters Inn to bring this community festival to Kingston. Choose a charity or local good cause and gather your crew for a shared challenge.
Aim to raise £1,000 for your cause, with no penalty if you raise less. If you need help choosing a cause, Friends of Canbury Gardens works with Kingston Charitable Foundation to support local causes: friendsofcanburygardens@gmail.com.
200m
Short course. Big cheers.
It’s a sprint, not a marathon. We choose this distance to make the event accessible to everyone.
3 heats
Your single fastest time.
The aim is to give each team at least three races. Your fastest time determines whether you qualify for the final.
3 categories
Find your race.
Enter an Open, Mixed or Female crew.
ENTRY AND FUNDRAISING
ONE crew. a shared goal.
EARLY BIRD ENTRY
£TBC
per team including VAT
Available until date tbc
STANDARD ENTRY
£TBC
per team including VAT
This entry price is from date tbc
FUNDRAISING
£1000
team fundraising aim. We’d love you to raise money for a local cause. There’s no penalty if you don’t reach the fundraising aim.
BUILD YOUR CREW
16 paddlers. One Drummer. One Team.
A full boat has 17 participants, with an experienced DBE helm steering. We recommend a minimum of 10 paddlers, with a drummer required for every race. Reserves can rotate between races.
✓ Participants aged 12 and over (AALA accredited)
✓ No previous dragon boat experience needed
✓ You can enter more than one team
✓ Each team needs enough paddlers without sharing
✓ Contact us in advance about access or support needs
WHAT’S PROVIDED
You bring the crew. we bring the kit.
Boats, equipment, experienced helms and safety briefings are provided. Our experienced team provides coaching throughout the day. Gazebo hire is available.
✓ Dragon boats, paddles and buoyancy aids
✓ Experienced helm and on-water instruction
✓ Safety briefings
✓ Timed racing: aim of three heats, plus a final for qualifying crews
✓ A 3×3m gazebo is included in your entry fee
PLAN YOUR DAY
A base by the water.
Find the green beside the car park and make a base for your crew.
GETTING THERE
Canbury gardens
Lower Ham Road, Kingston upon Thames.
KT2 5AU
Some street parking is available on adjacent roads. We encourage public transport, walking and car sharing where possible.
Please leave the venue tidy
Keep your team area comfortable during the day and leave it clean, with rubbish in the local bins, when you go.
Your team’s home for the day.
Each team entry includes a 3 × 3m gazebo. Your pre-event map shows the allocated pitch; ask at the DBE control tent if you need directions.
Local traders line the main pathway, with a funfair, food and drink stalls and plenty of racing to watch.
You receive separate landfill and recycling bags. Put litter in the appropriate bag; landfill is collected at the end of the event and a team member is asked to take recycling home.
YOUR TEAM GAZEBO - INCLUDED
Arrive to a ready-made base.
Every team entry includes a 3 × 3m gazebo. A pitch map is sent before the event; ask DBE control if you need help finding your place.
FAQs
Your crew’s questions, answered.
-
None! We provide all the training you need on the day. Your team receives a safety briefing before racing.
-
A full boat has 16 paddlers and one drummer: 17 participants, plus the DBE helm. We recommend at least 10 paddlers, with a drummer required. Larger squads can rotate subs between races; each team should have enough paddlers without relying on sharing between teams.
-
We recommend participants are at least 12 years old as we require all participants to be able to safely sit in the Dragon Boat unaided and respond to commands. We are an AALA licenced provider.
There is no age limit, size or fitness requirements. It is the sport for everyone.
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Absolutely. All we require is that participants are able to safely sit in the Dragon Boat unaided and respond to commands.
Contact us in advance about access or support needs so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
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Swimming ability is not required all we ask is that you are comfortable in water in the unlikely event of a capsize. Everyone wears a buoyancy aid, with an experienced helm aboard and a safety boat alongside.
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We recommend light weight sports type clothes that you are happy to get wet as you are likely to get splashed. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. There are no lockers. Leave belongings with a responsible person on land at your team base.