FAQ’s

FAQ’s

General Inquiries

Where will it be?
Do I need to be an experienced paddler to participate?
How many people do we need to form a dragon boat team?
How much is the entry fee?
Who can we contact for more information?
How can I register?

Team Practice Inquiries
How many practices does each team get?
What time do I need to arrive for my practice session?
Where are the practices held ?
How do we book a practice session?
What should I wear and bring?
What safety precautions are in place?
Can we get extra practice sessions?

Race Day Information
What should I bring?
Will there be food and refreshments available on-site?
When do we race?
How long is the racing distance?
Is there an area for teams to “hang out”? Can we bring a tent?
What if the weather is poor?

Pledging Information
Who does the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival benefit?
How much has the Festival raised in the past?
Who is eligible for a tax receipt?
Where do I get my pledge forms from?
When and where do I hand in my collected pledges?

General Inquiries

Where will it be?

On Ramsey Lake in Bell Park

Do I need to be an experienced paddler to participate?

No, you do not need to be an experienced paddler to participate. In fact, most of our participants had never picked up a paddle before their first team practice. Due to the size and design; dragon boats are very stable, making them highly suitable for beginners.

How many people do we need to form a team?

Each team is comprised of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson and must have a minimum of 8 female paddlers in the boat. The team roster may list 28 team members.

How much is the entry fee?

$1,000.00 for local teams in the Sudbury region or $700.00 for youth teams and teams outside of the City of Greater Sudbury. Youth teams are defined as students 19 years of age and under and 14 years and older as of January 1, 2005. Out-of-town teams are defined as being from outside the boundaries of Greater Sudbury, French River, Sturgeon Falls, and Espanola.

Entry fee includes the following:

One instructional training session in the pool.

One dock training session at the Sudbury Canoe Club.

Two boat training sessions at the Sudbury Canoe Club in June.

Two boat training sessions at the Sudbury Canoe Club in July.

One steersperson training session for novice steerspersons.

Additional practices can be arranged at a cost of $30.00 per ¾ hour session.

Who can we contact for more information?

If you have any questions, please contact our office at [email protected].

How can I register?

Download the forms from our website by clicking here to go to the Team Information section. Complete the forms and mail or drop them off to our office, including entry fee.

Team Practice Inquiries

How many practices does each team get?

1. One instructional training session in the pool.
2. One dock training session at the Sudbury Canoe Club.
3. Two boat training sessions at the Sudbury Canoe Club in June.
4. Two boat training sessions at the Sudbury Canoe Club in July.
5. One steersperson training session for novice steerspersons.

        Additional practices can be arranged at a cost of $30.00 per ¾ hour session.

What time do I need to arrive for my practice session?

You should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to loading the boat. Please note that this time is already incorporated into the sessions (refer to schedules).

Where are the practices held?

The pool sessions are held at the Laurentian University pool, all other sessions are held at the Sudbury Canoe Club, 506 Elizabeth Street (behind St. Joseph’s Hospital, at the North entrance to Bell Park).

How do we book a practice session?

Your team Manager will book your practices through our website.

What should I wear and bring?

Pool Sessions – you will be sitting on the side of the pool, so you might want to consider wearing shorts or a swimsuit. Change rooms are available at Laurentian University.

All Other Sessions – you should wear clothing that does not constrict your movement. Sweat pants, sweat shirts, t-shirts, and shorts are examples of suitable clothing. You are likely to get wet, so bring a towel or change of clothes are recommended.

What safety precautions are in place?

All participants must wear a personal flotation device (provided by the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival). A safety boat with a raft will be patrolling the practice waters.

Can we get extra practice sessions?

Additional practices will be available at an additional cost.

Race Day Information

What should I bring?

As a participant you should bring clothes for various conditions (warm weather, cold weather, and rain). You should have clothing that does not restrict your movement for racing. You may also want to bring a change of clothes, as you will get wet.

Will there be food and refreshments available on-site?

There will be food vendors on-site during the Festival.

When do we race?

The race schedule will be issued to all Team Managers during their meeting the week prior to the Festival. This schedule will also be posted on our website at that time.

How long is the racing distance?

The race course is 500m.

Is there an area for teams to “hang out”? Can we bring a tent?

The competitors area (aks “Tent City”) is located near the Paris Street entrance to Bell Park. Teams may set up their own tents (no larger than 10′ x 10′) in the area. Teams may set up on the Friday afternoon or the morning of the races. Please note that the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. It is recommended that you have someone in you area to watch your items while your team is racing, etc.

What if the weather is poor?

The races and practice sessions will take place rain or shine.

Pledging Information

Who does the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival benefit?

All proceeds from the pledging program go directly to the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society Capital Campaign to assist with the construction and renovation of their new wing at Pioneer Manor.

How much has the Festival raised in the past?

The Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival and its participants have raised over $730,000 for local charities in the past five years.

Who is eligible for a tax receipt?

Anyone who pledges $10.00 or more is eligible for a tax receipt (the tax receipt request box must be checked on the pledge form). Name and full address must be legible.

Where do I get my pledge forms from?

Your team’s Pledge Coordinator will have copies of pledge forms for you after May 5. Additional forms will be available on our website.

When and where do I hand in my collected pledges?

Hand in your pledges to your team’s Pledge Coordinator. In order to be eligible for prizes, your team’s Pledge Coordinator must submit all pledges to the Pledging Tent (located near the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre), by no later than 7:00 PM, Friday, July 15 th . Packages received after 7:00 PM are not eligible for prizes. Representatives of the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society Capital Campaign will be available in the Pledging Tent on Saturday, July16 to received late packages or additional donations from the public. Packages submitted after the Festival must be sent directly to the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society Capital Campaign office at 146 Elm Street, NOT the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival office.