2026 Comox Dragon Boat Festival

Season Closer in the Heart of the Comox Valley

The Comox Dragon Boat Festival returns this year as Vancouver Island’s end-of-season celebration, bringing paddlers together one last time to race, reconnect, and close out the dragon boat season on a high note at Marina Park in beautiful Comox, British Columbia.

Hosted by VI Paddling in partnership with the Town of Comox, this festival has become a favourite season finale, welcoming crews from across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for a fun, fast, and relaxed day on the water. With its stunning coastal setting and laid-back west coast vibe, Comox is the perfect place to celebrate a season well paddled.

What to Expect

As the final event of the season, the Comox Dragon Boat Festival features short-course 200 m racing, offering exciting competition for both seasoned crews and community teams alike. Expect a smooth, well-organized event, supportive crowds, and the camaraderie that makes dragon boating such a special sport. Located right on the waterfront, Marina Park offers a spacious, spectator-friendly venue

In addition to traditional 20-paddler dragon boat racing, the festival continues to offer 10-paddler racing, a popular and accessible format introduced by VI Paddling, ideal for smaller crews, developing teams, or those looking to finish the season on a fun, inclusive note.

Festival Atmosphere

Celebrate the end of the season with classic west coast energy, including:

• Food vendors and local favourites
• A beer garden for end-of-season celebrations
• Music and entertainment along the waterfront
• Plenty of opportunities to reconnect with paddling friends and celebrate together

Whether you’re racing your final heats, volunteering, or cheering from shore, the Comox Dragon Boat Festival is about reflection, connection, and celebration.

Closing the Season Together

As Vancouver Island’s leaders in dragon boating, VI Paddling is proud to host events that bring the paddling community together from spring through fall. The Comox Dragon Boat Festival is the final chapter of the season—combining competition, community, and coastal hospitality in a way that leaves paddlers already looking forward to next year.

Join us in Comox to finish the season strong and raise a glass to a great year on the water.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Comox Marina (Marina Park)

Race Format:

• 200 m races in standard and small dragon boats

Boat Composition:

• Standard Boat: crews of 20 paddlers. Max roster 24 paddlers, plus drummer and stern
• Small Boat: crews of 10 paddlers. Max roster 12 paddlers, plus drummer and stern

Divisions:

• Women’s: All female paddlers
• Mixed: Minimum of 10 female paddlers per boat

Note: While not mandatory, crews are encouraged to use female sterns for women’s boats in accordance with Dragon Boat Canada guidelines.

Registration:

• Early Bird Registration: Closes June 1, 2026 Use discount code EARLY BIRD –COMOX at checkout.
• General Registration: Closes August 15, 2026

Note: When registering your team, you’ll be prompted to complete a short registration form to confirm your team name and race division.

2026 Comox DB Festival Saturday September 19th, 2026

Standard Boat:
Adult: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/catalog-view.html?k_business=709681&id_sale=1&k_id=3889285

BCS or Youth: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/catalog-view.html?k_business=709681&id_sale=1&k_id=3889315

Small Boat:
Adult: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/catalog-view.html?k_business=709681&id_sale=1&k_id=3889306

BCS or Youth: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/catalog-view.html?k_business=709681&id_sale=1&k_id=3998356

We look forward to welcoming teams back to Comox for a fun, fast, and festive way to close out the season!

Previous Events – Final Results

2025 Comox Dragon Boat Festival FINAL RESULTS

2023 Comox Dragon Boat Festival FINAL RESULTS

2024 Comox Dragon Boat Festival FINAL RESULTS