For every captain
Captain’s guide
The race pack in plain words. It summarises the organiser’s rules — your enrolment form and captains’ briefing are the real thing, and where they differ, they win.
Deadlines before race day
Sunday, October 18
Team list and liability waiver
Forms B1 and B2 from the enrolment form: up to 30 names — captain first, then drummer, then steersperson. Only people on the list may race. Instead of B2, every member can sign Form C.
Wednesday, October 21
Parents’ consent for anyone aged 12 to 17
Form D, at least three working days before the race. Everyone on the boat must be 12 or over — drummers too — and anyone under 18 wears a buoyancy aid.
Wednesday, October 21
Official steersperson, if you need one
The organiser has a few official steerspersons, first come first served, booked through the WhatsApp number in your captains’ briefing. They are paid per race. Your own steersperson must be on your team list.
Forms go to the organiser’s office at the address on the enrolment form.
Race morning
- 7:00 AMThe organiser announces whether racing goes ahead.
- 8:00 AMRegistration opens. Captains register at the South checkpoint by the pier (booths T1–T25) or the North checkpoint (T26–T45), at least 30 minutes before the team’s first race, and collect the team pack and wristbands. Wristbands stay on all day.
- 9:00 AMFirst race. Every crew is at the assembly point 15 minutes before each of its races — late crews count as withdrawn and get no re-race.
Crew rules
Who is on the boat
20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson — the steersperson is required. The same number of people must cross the finish as started.
Mixed crews
Between 8 and 12 women among the paddlers.
Community crews
No gender rule, but at least three quarters of the team must live in Discovery Bay.
Team shirt
Everyone wears it, drummer and steersperson included. Official steerspersons are the exception.
Paddles
Your own paddles need the International Dragon Boat Federation 202a sticker; others are inspected and given a one-day sticker or refused. Wooden paddles can be borrowed at the assembly point while they last.
Boats
You race the boat the organiser assigns. Check it and your paddles before every race — equipment disputes are not heard.
Alcohol
None while racing is on. It is a Marine Department rule and can disqualify the team.
On the water
Get to the start in time
Paddle straight from the beach to the starting pontoon and be there within 5 minutes. The drummer holds the starting rope, the steersperson the handle.
"Are you ready?" — "Attention" — horn
At "Attention" every paddle stops; blades may stay in the water. Go on the horn.
False starts
The first one brings a warning and a restart. On the second attempt nobody is recalled — a crew that jumps it is disqualified from that race and told afterwards.
Stay in your lane
Seated paddling only. Crossing into another lane can disqualify a crew. Lane 1 is nearest the ferry pier, where the wash is worst; the rules warn the bay is windy and choppy in autumn.
Paddle through the buoy
The official finish line sits slightly before the finish buoy. Never ease off early.
Appeals
Only captains can appeal, on the protest form, within 15 minutes of the result being announced. Private videos and photos are not accepted as evidence.
How the points work
Every race scores by finishing place: first gets one more than the number of boats, second one fewer, then down by one to 1 for last; a disqualification or non-finish scores 0.
| Place | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eight boats | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Six boats | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- Mixed: three heats added up. Places 1–8 race the Cup final, 9–16 the Plate, 17–24 the Bowl, 25–32 the Shield. The top crew of each final gets lane 4.
- Open, Ladies and A45: three rounds added up, the final round counted double.
- Community and Gala: one race each, ranked on time.
- Equal points are split by the faster average race time.
If the weather turns
See the live weather check on the home page →
Racing usually goes on
Rain, an amber or red rainstorm warning, typhoon signal 1 or a thunderstorm warning. The organiser may still change things — watch their announcements.
Racing moves
Black rainstorm warning, or typhoon signal 3 and up: the gala moves to Sunday, November 8, 2026. Keep that day free.
What to bring
Team shirts
For all 22 on the boat.
Refillable bottles
There is a Green Award for the greenest team, and refill stations on the beach.
Sun gear and dry clothes
Sunscreen, hats, towels — it is a long day on the sand.
Snacks
Some crews have hours between races; others barely 30 minutes.
Getting there
- Ferry from Central Pier 3 — about 25 minutes
- Bus DB03R from Sunny Bay station — about 20 minutes
- Already in Discovery Bay? Walk down to Tai Pak Beach — beach map