ICF Dragon Boat Commission activities

Paris 2024 presentation 

Dragon Boat demonstration races were successfully held on the Canoe Sprint course at the Varies-sur Marne Nautical Stadium from August 8 to 10. The eight-paddler crews were formed by club members and invited guests including the breast cancer survivors, called the Pink Ladies. Two races were organised in the three days between the Canoe Sprint semi-final and final competitions which attracted the interest of all audiences. The three eight-paddler Dragon Boats used after the demonstration were presented to the International Canoe Federation, French Canoe Federation and Chinese Canoe Association for the promotion of the discipline.

Competition rules seminar 

A seminar was conducted by Ulrike Schreck and Martin Marinov in Ruse, Bulgaria from June 5 to 8 during a national Dragon Boat competition run by the Bulgarian Canoe Federation.

Super Cup showcase 

Like Paris 2024, Dragon Boat demonstration races will take place during the ICF Super Cup which will be staged from October 11 to 13 in Hangzhou.

World Games build-up 

The preparation stage of the Dragon Boat and Canoe Marathon venue at Xinglong Lake, Wetland Park in Chengdu is almost complete. A test event for both disciplines would be organized from October 21 to 22 before a second technical meeting is scheduled on October 23 and 24. This will be another key step in the build-up to The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.

World Cup bulletin 

From October 23 to 27, the ICF Dragon Boat World Cup will be staged in Zugui, Yichang, China. The second bulletin of the World Cup is being circulated to the National Federations that submitted their preliminary entries. Upon receiving the nominal entries after the deadline on September 20, we shall prepare the race plan.

President’s arrival 

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has agreed to attend the Opening Ceremony of the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in Puerto Princesa.  

Due to be staged from October 30 to November 3, 2024, the World Championships will be a qualifier for The World Games 2025 in Chengdu. International World Games Association President and former ICF President Jose Perurena will also come to Puerto Princesa for the World Championships. The Philippines Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation has informed us that more than 30 National Federations have submitted entries.

By Waihung Luk, Chair of the ICF Dragon Boat Commission