Rules - Gateway Dragon Boat Festival - Signature Healthcare Foundation

Schedules & Rules

Race Rules

There will be multiple divisions based on type of organization, including, but not limited to:

Community, Construction, General Business, Healthcare, Media, Not-For-Profit, Services, Technology, & University/Education

The division an organization wishes to compete in is to be declared by each organization during registration.

Races start at 8:30a.m. on Saturday. The schedule for the first round of races will be distributed in advance. (Each team’s first race could be anytime between 8:30a.m. – 10:00a.m.) *Times may vary, please check back here often for up to date information.

Each team will race two “qualifying” rounds in each race. Following the first round of races, the teams will be sorted based on times paddled in the first round.

In the second round, the teams will race slowest to fastest.

Then, following the second round, the average time of each team in the first two races will be used to determine the order of teams for the third and final round, which will be run slowest qualifier to fastest. The final race of the day will be the fastest qualifiers vying for podium medals and the coveted traveling trophy.

Awards will be presented to the top teams in each division. A Team Spirit Award will be presented, as well as Fastest Run of the Day, plus a Best Dressed Drummer award. Awards will be presented at approximately 3pm.

Team Rules

The 20 team paddlers (not called rowers) and the drummer (required) must be at least 14 years of age. At least 8 women must be on each team. To accommodate alternate paddlers/or drummers, each team roster may include up to 25 people.

The following will be provided to each team:

Boat
Steersperson
Paddles
PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices)

Team banners, team shirts, etc., are encouraged. The “Spirit Award” will take into consideration team attire, tent decoration and overall team spirit.

Participants/paddlers on a dragon boat team must wear a wristband distributed to each team. Wristbands will be distributed on race day based on completed waivers.