GWN Dragon Boat - News

Richmond, Virgina added to MLDB Series!

2010-03-08T10:23:50-04:00

Together with Sports Backers, GWN is thrilled to announce the Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival. Happening on July 31, 2010 on the James River, the RIDBF will introduce the historic city of Richmond, Virginia to dragon boat racing. Registration is now open for the festival--for more information about this event, please visit our RIDBF page here.

Richmond is the newest addition to the MLDB Series and joins other stops in New Orleans, Toronto, and Orlando.

Click here, to read the full press release

6 Weeks Left Until New Orleans

2010-03-05T15:37:42-04:00

In only 6 weeks time, the first-ever dragon boat event in the New Orleans area will take place! Staged in the historic community of Madisonville, Louisiana on the Tchefuncte River, the event is attracting interest from locals and teams abroad.

The Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival is the 1st stop of Major League Dragon Boat--a series of festivals created by GWN.

To find out how to register a team for this historic event, contact Carolyn Lee or click here.

Find your new dragon boat team for the season

2010-02-12T10:54:55-04:00

Are you looking to join a new dragon boat team this year? GWN's Find A Paddler postings are a great way to connect with teams looking for new crew members. Requesting a posting is as simple as sending us your name, email, and where you're from. Be sure to include your dragon boat experience, events you'd like to attend, and skill level too.

To view current postings, please visit our Paddler Postings page.

Win a free entry to the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival

2010-02-10T15:12:38-04:00

One lucky team will win a free entry into the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. In order for your team to qualify for the random draw, your team must be registered for the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge by February 28th. Teams registering now also qualify for the Early Bird rate--that's a savings of $200! Register for the Challenge today.

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a three-day event where teams can enjoy a premier racing experience and a multitude of onsite activities and live entertainment in the beer garden.

Register to Win the Absolute Best Seats in the House

2010-02-10T11:57:39-04:00

Watch the races in style and luxury in your very own team lounge. This 20 x 20 tent is fully equipped with modern luxuries such as leather couches, lounge chairs, tables, fridge, and more.

Sponsored by Absolute Tent & Event Services, the Absolute Best Seats in the House is the perfect escape from a full day of racing. Teams eligible to win this unique experience must register for the GWN Challenge by March 31, 2010. Click here to register your team today!

New Event Added to 2010 MLDB Circuit

2010-01-29T13:56:11-04:00

An official announcement will be made in the next few weeks, and while you'll have to wait until then to learn the location of this new festival, we can disclose that it'll be the second US stop on the MLDB 2010 calendar!

For more MLDB information, click here.

Pre-Event Party in the works for Orlando

2010-01-28T16:19:28-04:00

The Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort on October 16, 2010. In the works for its third year is a pre-event Paddler Party--hang out with crew members and other paddlers the night before the big race. More details to come!

The event will also feature a newly improved Awards Ceremony and new host resorts. To find out what else will be new for the end-of-season celebration, click here.

Florida Training Camp Selling Fast

2010-01-25T14:00:52-04:00

Tired of the winter blues? Reserve your spot at the Florida Training Camp and start to prepare for a week of fun in the sun. Week 1 is selling fast and Week 2 is 85% sold-out. Don't miss your chance to get a leg up on your competitors and enjoy a week on the water in April. Register today!

Coaching Sessions Added to Melbourne Camp

2010-01-25T14:00:08-04:00

Back by popular demand, coaching courses will now be available to Melbourne camp participants. Offered by Dragon Boat Canada, instruction will follow the recently-developed coaching manual developed by Dragon Boat Canada. Participants will receive a manual and certification from Dragon Boat Canada for the course.

Click here for more info.

International Dragon Boat Festival hires GWN

2010-01-22T11:09:49-04:00

It was announced Thursday January 21, 2010 that the International Dragon Boat Festival is the proud recipient of a $35,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. This boost has enabled the festival to contract Great White North as the race producer and equipment provider for the 2010 Peterborough event attracting breast cancer survivor teams from around the world!

“We can rest easy and know we are in good hands and put on an absolutely super event for our visitors from across the world,” says Carol Mutton.

To read the full article, click here.

New for the 16th Annual GWN Dragon Boat Challenge

2010-01-21T16:37:15-04:00

The 16th Annual GWN Dragon Boat Challenge now offers your team ways to pimp out your team tent! Make your team tent the envy of the Athletes Village--rent ammenties such as fridges, leather sofas, and cots.

To find out what else is new for the 2010 GWN Challenge, click here.

New Exciting Features Added to Sport Regatta

2010-01-18T15:12:23-04:00

The ever popular GWN Sport Regatta returns to Marilyn Bell Park on July 17, 2010 with new features in tow. In addition to a PFD exemption, the 13th annual event will introduce a 2k race on a 250m course!

To find out what else is new for 2010, click here.

MLDB Reward Program: Race More, Save More!

2010-01-15T14:28:39-04:00

The MLDB Reward Program is a program created exclusively for teams registering for more than one GWN event--the more MLDB Events you participate in, the more you'll save on each event registration.

For MLDB savings information, click here.

Registration Open for MLDB Events

2010-01-14T15:25:06-04:00

Registration is now open for each Major League Dragon Boat event! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates by registering early.

End of Season Crew Rankings Posted

2009-11-11T12:51:26-04:00

The final set of crew rankings for 2009 have been posted. With over 700 crews ranked at festivals across North America, the MLDB Ranking System provides insight into the dragon boat scene.

To check out the rankings, click here.

Florida Training Camp Early Bird Registration Open

2009-11-11T12:48:22-04:00

Registration for the Florida Training Camp is now open. The camp is your opportunity to spend a week on the water before your competition starts paddling and learn from some of the most decorated coaches in North America. Save money by taking advantage of the early bird discount until December 15th, 2009.

Orlando Health to present Orlando event video!

2009-10-14T21:40:10-04:00

Convention News TV and Orlando Health have joined forces to produce and present a 5 minute video covering the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival at WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT. The video will be posted on the GWN website Saturday evening.

To check out the video, click here.

Orlando International DBF schedule posted!

2009-10-09T09:25:57-04:00

The 2009 Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival at WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT race schedule is posted

Click here to view.

Orlando After-Party to be held at Motion!

2009-08-26T16:03:23-04:00

The 2009 Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival Awards Ceremony and After Party will be held at Motion Nightclub. Located at Downtown Disney, the doors will open at 6:00PM with the awards starting at 6:30.

The Party is open to all ages and free to attend.

Current Prize Pool for GWN Challenge Announced

2009-08-24T11:46:08-04:00

The GWN Challenge Prize Pool has grown to over $10,000. Check out the lastest distribution here. GWN will work to upadate the current distribution as teams continue to register.

Win a 3-Month YMCA membership at the GWN Challenge

2009-08-12T11:41:01-04:00

Win a 3-Month membership to the YMCA at the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge by being the top individual fundraiser or win memberships for the whole team by being the top team. To download a pledge form now and start raising money, click here.

100m dash to be added to the GWN Challenge!

2009-08-10T16:25:01-04:00

Come check out the top 6 crews of each category: mixed, women, open as they sprint to the finish line on Sunday's race schedule. Cheer for your favourite crew! Better yet, enter your team today to vie for your spot in this crowd-pleasing mad dash to the finish!

MCCT Drag'n Angels on TV

2009-07-31T11:09:16-04:00

MCCT Drag'n Angels are featured on this weeks episode of the "Healthy Gourmet" which airs this Sat, Aug 1 at 7:30 pm and again on Sunday Aug 2 at 6:00 pm. (Channel 72 on Rogers)

Thanks to the Viva channel for promoting healthy eating and giving exposure to the great team sport of Dragon Boating.

Survivor Dragon Boat: IDBF vs. ICF

2009-07-23T12:21:18-04:00

Most of you know the story.

1995: ICF rejects dragon boat. IDBF grows dragon boat. ICF takes a second look. IDBF says “hands off”. ICF says “mind your own business, this is a canoe”. IDBF says “no it’s not and GAISF now says so”. ICF says “we don’t care, we’re still doing it”… 2009…. Blah, blah, blah…

As with most controversy involving sports organizations there is an initial and ongoing tendency to play nice, embrace diplomacy and take the high road. It is sports after all; warring human-kind’s passive substitute for hand to hand combat in the streets.

Neither side of this debate wishes to be cast as the evil doer; the aggressor. The problem with this path is that the debate and all its unproductive side effects will linger on indefinitely.

This entire issue has been and is currently about who can keep up the game the longest.

Which side can secure the necessary alliances political and otherwise – Outwit!

Which side can continue to feed (finance) their respective offensive and defensive posture – Outlast!

Which side can the keep up the pace of a seemingly endless stream of argumentative documents dealing with this issue – Outplay!

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay… yes it’s a game but at the end of it all it is the athletes who decide with their votes. Not with slips of paper in a jar but with your past and continued commitment to participate in IDBF world championship regattas and other affiliated international competitions.

In one month’s time Prague will be host to over 2200 international dragon boat competitors along with hundreds of supporters, officials and fans of dragon boat.
In 2011 Tampa Bay will host not only the 2011 IDBF World Championships/Nations Cup but also the first PanAm Club Crew Championships. It will be a 10 day super bowl of dragon boat delivered to you by a city that knows how to host super bowls.

From my vantage point it seems the votes are already in.
Survivor Dragon Boat: It certainly looks like we have a winner.

Mike Kerkmann

Final Prize Pool Distribution for GWN Sport Regatta Announced

2009-07-15T13:59:20-04:00

The final prize pool for each division at the GWN Sport Regatta has been posted. Teams are set to battle of $2500 in cash and over $5000 in prizes. For information, click here.

Sport Regatta to proceed as planned!

2009-07-07T20:43:02-04:00

At this time, working with the appropriate parties, the GWN Sport Regatta will continue as planned. We look forward to a tremendous day of racing at Marilyn Bell Park.

Much has been made of the re-match between 2 of top 3 teams in the country as they meet for the only time this season. Along with many of the top 10 teams set to race, the action will be exciting.

Sport Regatta set to be most competitive event of season

2009-07-07T20:35:12-04:00

With little over a week before the first stop on the MLDB Series calendar, crews are making final preparations to battle for bragging rights at what will likely be the most competitive field in North America in '09.

Orlando Early Bird End of Tuesday!

2009-06-26T10:07:22-04:00

Don't miss you chance to save and register for the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival before the end of June to save $250.

Big Changes in the June Rankings

2009-06-26T10:06:44-04:00

With hundreds of crews racing this month, many have made big moves in the rankings. As over 600 crews are now listed, it is believed that this is the largest and most comprehensive ranking system. While little has changed for the top 5 many have made big jumps. Most notably, the Wyeth Wyverns have moved up 62 spots from their performance at the Independance Day Regatta in Philly. Appearing for the first time, many west coast crews have moved into the top 20.

Florida teams climb up the rankings ladder

2009-05-13T11:25:01-04:00

Coming off a strong off-season, Florida based teams have raised the bar in southern USA. Results from Miami, Tampa and Florida Keys have helped move top teams up the ranking. With much North-South debate, many are calling for the definitive showdown at Disney in October.

Anthony Travel ready to help teams heading to Disney

2009-05-12T11:55:31-04:00

Anthony Travel has finalized exclusive pricing for the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival. Using Anthony Travel participants of the event can save on hotels, flights, park tickets and rental cars. For more information and assistance making your trip to the event and Walt Disney World Resort magical, click here.

Right to Play to recieve a poriton of proceeds from GWN Sport Regatta

2009-05-07T12:12:52-04:00

GWN Dragon Boat is pleased to announce that $5 will be donated to Right to Play for every participant registered in the GWN Sport Regatta. For more information on Right to Play go to www.righttoplay.com.

Save $150 on your entry fee to the Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival

2009-05-01T14:21:15-04:00

Register before the end of May and save $150 on your crew's entry to the Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival. Register today and save.

Missed the Early Bird Rate, click here to still save $100

2009-05-01T14:19:41-04:00

With a record number of teams taking advantage of the early bird, the 2009 edition of the GWNC is shaping up well. If your team missed the early bird, you can still save $100 with our staggered pricing by registering before the end of May.

Early Bird Ends Soon for GWN Challenge!

2009-04-23T13:25:25-04:00

The early bird discount for entry to the GWN Challenge ends April 30 at midnight. Don't miss your chance to save $200 and register today.

Follow GWN on Twitter

2009-04-13T16:30:25-04:00

Follow GWN Dragon Boat on Twitter. Get the latest news about your favorite events as they develop. www.twitter.com/GWNDragonBoat

Creemore Returns As Official Beer of GWN Challenge

2009-04-13T09:20:15-04:00

GWN is pleased to announce that Creemore Springs has signed on for the second year as the Official Beer of the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge. After receiving rave reviews about their beer at the 2008 event, Creemore couldn't miss the opportunity to provide their refreshing natural spring beer to 2009 participants.

Official Hotel Announced For GWN Dragon Boat Challenge

2009-03-27T13:07:08-04:00

GWN is pleased to be able to offer exclusive rates at two downtown Toronto hotels for the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge. The Super 8 Downtown and the Days Inn are offering dragon boat participants fantastic rates on rooms for the event weekend. To find out more, click here.

One Month left for the GWN Challenge Early Bird, Register Today!

2009-03-23T15:45:43-04:00

Save $200 by registering for the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge by the end of April. Registering has its benefits, as you receive first choice for practice and tent selection.