We are recruiting new paddlers for 2026, our 8th season on the water!
Do you know someone who has experienced cancer, or are you yourself a survivor? Then you are specially invited to find out more and join us. If that doesn’t describe you, we want to help you keep it that way, by focusing on the things that we know create states of wellness: being in nature, in community, around the water, and staying active.
Try our Learn to Paddle Program this season!
New to dragon boating? Ready to give it a try? Over four sessions, you’ll learn the basics and build a strong foundation for whatever comes next!
- Thursday May 21 6:45-8:15 pm (7-8 on water)
- Saturday May 23 10:45 am – 12:15 pm (11-12 on water)
- Thursday May 28 6:45-8:15 pm (7-8 on water)
- Saturday May 30 10:45 am – 12:15 pm (11-12 on water)
Contact us for sign up details, cost, and more information.
Meet our teams!
Minnesota Dragon Boat Club offers four teams for you to choose from, based on your experience and desires.
Team Blue – Recruiting for 2026!
Our novice/recreational team, many paddlers start here and some never leave! This group focuses on building enthusiasm for the sport with a focus on paddling fundamentals and continuous improvement for paddlers of all abilities. Members are asked to attend at least one practice per week.
- Practices: Thursday 5:15-7:15PM & Saturdays 9:00-10:45AM.
- Festivals:
- Bemidji 17th Annual Dragon Boat Festival (August 5-8)
- Sprint Cup (Aug 7)
- Race Day (Aug 8)
- Superior Dragon Boat Festival (August 21-22) – Racing on Aug 8
- Bemidji 17th Annual Dragon Boat Festival (August 5-8)
Team Green – FULL for 2026!
New this season, Team Green is for the paddler that wants a little more intensity and challenge in their athletic experience, but may still be a developing paddler, or has more experience and wants a little more flexibility in their lives.
- Practices: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:15-8:00PM . Additional times may be added leading up to festivals.
- Expectations:
- Attend at least one of the weekly practices
- Complete and track workouts outside of paddling (cardio, strength training, etc…) individually
- Goals: Continue to build on fundamentals with focus on techniques, and building endurance
- Festivals:
- Bemidji 17th Annual Dragon Boat Festival (August 5-8)
- Sprint Cup (Aug 7)
- Race Day (Aug 8)
- Superior Dragon Boat Festival (August 21-22) – Racing on Aug 8
- Bemidji 17th Annual Dragon Boat Festival (August 5-8)
Team Gold – FULL for 2026!
Our competitive crew, this is for the dedicated dragon boater who is ready to commit to the sport for the season.
- Practices: Tuesdays 5:15-7:00PM & Saturdays 7:30-9:30AM. Additional times may be added leading up to festivals.
- Expectations:
- Attend BOTH weekly practices
- Track individual workouts (cardio, strength training, etc…) and share with teammates/coaches
- Practice attendance and workout documentation determine festival eligibility and participation
- Goals: Focus on technique, building endurance, and developing a cohesive team high level competition.
- Festivals:
- Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival (July 25)
- Superior Dragon Boat Festival (August 21-22)
North Star Warriors – Recruiting for 2026!
Our all cancer paddler team, the North Star Warriors had their inaugural season in 2025. Cancer survivors from all teams may paddle on our all-cancer paddler (ACP) boat for a festival that has an appropriate racing division. Dedicated ACP team practices are scheduled 1–2 weeks prior to the festival.
- Festivals:
- Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash, Fort Dodge, Iowa (June 12-13)
- August or September festival, TBD
What you can expect / FAQs
- How much does it cost? Registration for 2026 is $120. Membership fees are non-refundable.
- How big is the club? We had about 100 active members paddling with Team Gold, Team Blue, and the North Star Warriors in 2025
- How long is the season? We expect to be on the water from late May to late September.
- Where do you practice? We moor our boats on Lake Phalen in St. Paul, and meet for practices at the Phalen Park Beach.
- Do I need to buy a paddle or life jacket or other equipment? The club provides paddles and PFDs. Some members eventually choose to buy their own. Additionally, most folks buy their own team shirts for races and events but we do have some for loan. Water shoes of some sort are recommended. Otherwise, most people wear regular exercise clothes they already have for practices.
- What are these festivals listed above? This is where our teams race! Sometimes called regattas, these events bring teams together from all over the region, nation, and even the world. Participating in festivals is optional, but for many, that’s what makes all the practice worthwhile. Most festivals are community-focused events and are very family friendly.
- What other expenses are there? Festival expenses are the main added costs, including registration, travel, food, and accommodations (usually 1-2 nights per festival). Again, festivals are optional, but many members do attend 1, 2 or more in a season.
- Have other questions? Contact us for more information.
Past Festivals and Events
2025
We sent teams to festivals in Ft. Dodge, IA (June 20-21), Bemidji, MN (Aug. 2-4), Superior, WI (Aug. 23-24), and Overland Park, KS (Sept. 26-27).
2024
Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival (Bemidji, MN)
Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash (Ft. Dodge, IA)
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival (Superior, WI)
N.E.W. Dragon Boat Festival (Oshkosh, WI)
Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival (Overland Park, KS)
2023
GWN Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival, Chicago, IL July 29, 2023 (MNDBC competitive team)
Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, Bemidji, MN August 4-5 (MNDBC competitive and recreational teams)
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival, Superior, WI, August 25-26 (MNDBC competitive and recreational teams)
N.E.W. Dragon Boat Festival, Oshkosh, WI September 16 (MNDBC competitive and recreational teams)
2022
WaterFest, Phalen Regional Park, St. Paul, MN June 4, 2022
Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, Bemidji, MN August 3-6
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival, Superior, WI, August 26-27
2021
Competition in 2021 for individual members
- Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, Bemidji, MN, August 6-7
- Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash, Fort Dodge, IA, August 13-14
- Dubuque Dragon Boat Festival, Dubuque, IA, September 11-12
Exhibitor at the Minnesota Cancer Survivorship Conference, April 17, 2021
2020
No competitions/outreach due to COVID-19 epidemic
2019 (Our first season!)
- Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival, Superior, WI, August 23-24
- Official race results
- Team Blue: finished 13th overall with times of 1:59.79 and 1:56.16
- Team Green: finished 11th overall with times of 1:54.77 and 1:54.30
Club community service in 2019 and 2020:
- Outreach opportunity at the South Washington County Relay for Life, June 7, 2019
- Volunteer community service at the Dragon Festival, July 13 & 14, 2019
- Volunteer community service at the St. Paul Triathlon, August 17, 2019
- Clothes and necessities drive for Life House, Duluth, August 24, 2019
- Volunteer community service at the Fall Classic Duathlon, September 28, 2019
- Volunteer community service at the Great Pumpkin Chase, October 26, 2019
- Food and necessities drive for Little Earth Residents Association, May 30 and 31, 2020
- Clothing drive for Minneapolis residents, Ivy Arts Building, June 7, 2020
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