Full dragon boat, coasting in toward shore.
There’s a spot for you!

While we are full for the 2024 season, we welcome your interest! The Minnesota Dragon Boat Club is open to everyone.

Do you know someone who has experienced cancer, or are you yourself a survivor? Then you are specially invited to 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.

2024 Membership is now closed.

What you can expect / FAQs

  • How much does it cost? Registration for 2024 was $120. Membership fees are non-refundable.
  • How big is the club? We anticipate capping 2024 membership at 120 paddlers (another reason to register early).
  • When does it start? We expect to be on the water from late May to late September. Between now and May, there will be opportunities to gather for various activities ranging from strength training(on zoom), hikes, taco tuesday outings, and other events as we look forward to getting back on the water. As soon as you join you will be added to our mobile app, with access to off-season events.
  • Where do you practice? We moor our boats on Lake Phalen in St. Paul, and meet for practices at the Phalen Park Beach.
  • When do you practice? Exact times are still being determined, but expect Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings for starters. Come as you are able. Experienced paddlers interested in our competitive team will have additional practice and expectations around attendance.
  • Do I need to buy a paddle or life jacket? What other expenses are there? The club provides paddles and PFDs. Some members eventually choose to buy their own. Attendance at festivals has additional costs for registration, travel, food, and accommodations (usually 1-2 nights per festival). Festivals are optional, but many members do attend 1, 2 or more in a season.
  • When are the Festivals? I want to get those on my calendar now! We will be sending teams to festivals in Bemidji, MN (Aug. 2-4), and Superior, WI (Aug. 23-24) for sure. Other festival attendance remains to be determined, based on club member interest and availability. Potential other festivals include:
    • Chicago, IL (usually last weekend in July)
    • Fort Dodge, IA (usually 2d weekend in August)
    • Milwaukee, WI (tentatively Aug. 10th)
    • Minocqua, WI (Aug. 16-17)
    • Oshkosh, WI (tentatively third weekend in Sept.)
  • Have other questions? Contact us for more information.

Festivals and Events in 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)

Festivals and Events in 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

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

Outreach in 2021

Exhibitor at the Minnesota Cancer Survivorship Conference, April 17, 2021

Competition in 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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