FESTIVAL FAQ’s

17, 18 & 19 MAY, 2024

Every athlete can join a maximum of 3 races + the BCP race. Races will be run by age category and following this competiton format. 200m Races are only for Small Boats, whilst 500m are for Standard boats.

DB12 > MINIMUM OF 5 WOMAN PADDING. Drummer & helm can be of either gender.

DB22 > MINIMUM OF 10 WOMEN PADDLING. Drummer & helm can be of either gender.

PREMIER > THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE BOAT SHOULD BE AGED UNDER 40 BY MAY 2024.

SENIOR > THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE BOAT SHOULD BE AGED 40-60 BY MAY 2024.

MASTER> THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE BOAT SHOULD BE AGED 60 OR OVER BY MAY 2024.

Your Team Manager has to register the crew here > barcelonadragonboatfestival.com/register

> You will be asked for general information of your Team and to pay a 400€/crew deposit.

> You will be asked to create a User with password and you will be able to add/change all the> information you need regarding categories and athletes.

You can cancel your registration. The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE if your Crew cancels after 10th April, 2024.

The registration fee per participant will be different depending on when your team makes the online registration and DEPOSIT. There will be 3 different time slots. If after registering, you don’t book the accommodation with us, the higher registration fee per participant will be charged.

In order to make the organization of the Festival easier, both for the Organizing Committee and for the teams, all accommodation bookings will be offered by the Organizing Team. You will also be asked to fill an accommodation form with the options your crew would like and therefore we can send you a proposal for your team.

You can find this information in the general brochure (hotels, fees, type of rooms, etc). You can also check more on their websites or you can ask whatever you need. Fees are based on Bed&Breakfast option.

If you wish to book something different and you don’t book the accommodation with us, the higher registration fee per participant will be charged.

Life Jackets/Buoyancy aids will not be compulsory at our event, however if one participant is not fit to swim it is compulsory. Having said that, many paddlers choose to wear them and therefore we will be providing them to borrow. Inflatable PFDs if you bring them will be no problem.

We will be providing paddles for those who do not own or choose not to travel with personal paddles but there will not be enough for everyone. You are more than welcome and we encourage you to bring your own. Adjustable carbon paddles are permitted. However, the height of the paddle follows IDBF specification (1050mm-1300mm).

There will be a system for the helmsmen to hold on to and keep the boat in place. Paddles are allowed to keep their paddles in the water as well to assist in keeping the boat in place, once the starter has alerted all boats to get ready then movement of the paddles in the water is not permitted

Maximum of 6 Lanes, but it will depend on the final number of inscriptions with regards to the number of lanes in the Heats.

All boats will be our Champions boats (1222,912) that the Organization will prepare for the festival. There will be two sets of boats for rotation system in order to get through all the races.

Seat pads are allowed and shall be made of a soft material with an approximate thickness of of 15mm that can be compressed easily with thumb and finger.

There will be 2 rounds and a final. The fattest times from the Rounds will enter into the finals, there will only be 1 Final per category. Therefore every team will compete in a minimum of 2 races and possibly a final.

We do follow the IDBF rules of racing as closely as possible, however it is not an official IDBF event and therefore not all rules apply. We intend to be professional and well-organized to have fair competitive races but at the same time, we promote fun and a family atmosphere.

If you don’t have a helm, you can ask for one from the Organizing Team. However, we need to know it in advance and it will cost 50€/day.

Training slots for Friday are only available in the afternoon (15h to 19h) and you have to book them in advance. If you wish to train any other day you can ask us and we will give you a special fee for it.

You will be asked to fill a form with the names of your athletes a couple of months before the competition. In case we need to add/quit paddlers/items for the races, you will be able to do it and we will adjust the total amount later on without any problem.

Travel insurance is mandatory if you need a Schengen Visa for Spain. If you don’t need a visa, travel assistance insurance is optional but strongly recommended. We highly recommend that you purchase insurance before you travel not only for travel costs but as medical costs can be high for foreigners, especially as you will need to pay for any prescriptions.

Yes, there is, but this is limited to competition days and will be restricted firstly to the festival transportation buses and then private cars.

If you ask us, we can offer you a bus shuttle for your group. Price will be based on a bus up to 25-35 or 55 pax. You can also ask for other bus shuttles if you need to.

During Friday’s afternoon training sessions (from 15h to 19h), only the TEAM MANAGER will have to come to the information point at Race Venue) for Accreditations. There you will be asked to confirm all athletes’ lists and we will give you tickets for what you need (races, Gala dinner, bus shuttles, etc…).

On Friday evening, after training sessions, there will be the PRESENTATION OF THE TEAMS with some entertainment. More information will come later on. After that, we ask Team Managers/Coaches to stay for a short but mandatory Captains meeting, with information on races, program, security, etc… It will serve to explain in detail the way in which the races will take place, so the steers and team leaders are warmly encouraged to attend this meeting to ensure the smooth execution of the races.

During Saturday and Sunday, we will have an athletes zone with tents where you will be able to sit, relax and watch the races. Each team will have a number of tables/banks depending on the number of athletes.

There will be food trucks with different types of food (More details to be confirmed).

This year, we will enjoy the Dragon Boat Ceremony and Closing Party on Sunday evening when all races finish instead of doing it on Saturday. Therefore, we will celebrate the amazing atmosphere that Dragon Boat brings all TOGETHER. (More details to be confirmed > Exact time, place program, fee, dress code, etc).

We are specialists with organizing pre and post touring of our area. There will be a number of programme proposals on the website to give you some inspiration, however, a tailor-made trip can also be arranged. Come and discover our wonderful area!