Welcome!
You’ll love this event and race site. Riverfront Park and Cumberland River located at the foot of Broadway in downtown Nashville is the perfect venue for both paddlers and spectators. A large viewing area and “paddlers row” are within walking distance to top restaurants, snack bars, parking, souvenir shops, Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and many other Music City attractions. So bring the whole family and plan on spending the day!
Activities
- The “dotting the eye” of the dragon ceremony will kick off the races on Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
- Throughout the day, music and arts will be a part of the festival. Check the program for times and places.
- The races will run approximately every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winners will be announced and honored during the closing ceremonies in the Main Festival Tent, starting at 5 p.m.
- Food and other vendors will be present at various locations throughout the day.
Racing Team Preparation
- The dragon boat race course is a 250-meter run roughly between the Shelby Street walking bridge and the Woodland Street bridge. Your team will be outfitted with paddles, personal flotation devices, and a Dragon Boat.
- You’ll be racing in a four-boat heat in river water with the current.
- Start and finish lines are marked with buoys. The lanes are not marked but the course is straight.
- Each team will have a designated area near the promenade. Water will be provided and teams may purchase snacks, food and drinks from festival vendors.
- No alcohol is permitted in the team staging area.
- As a safety precaution, paddlers are not allowed to drink beer or consume other alcoholic beverages until their participation in the races is completed.
- There are plenty of portable toilet facilities. We plan on providing enough TP to last through the event, but experienced paddlers know to BYOTP!
- Don’t forget to bring waterproof sunscreen and reapply it every two hours, hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing such as a long sleeve shirt.
- The public will have access to your personal belongings, so please don’t leave valuables unprotected. You are responsible for your team’s belongings so please plan accordingly.
Official Race Rules
- Our officials follow US Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF) race rules. Please refer to the USDBF website for a copy of the rules if you are not familiar with them. http://www.usdbf.com/
- The bottom line is good sportsmanship and safety. Penalties will be given for wake riding, crossing lanes if it impedes or endangers others, and for general misconduct on land or in the water.
- Please wait to enjoy the beer tent until after all of your races. The dock master can disqualify your entire crew based on the smell of alcohol on one person’s breath.
- You can race with a minimum of 16 paddlers.
- Please make arrangement with guest paddlers before you arrive. Their names and signatures must be on your waiver/team roster before the first race of the day.
- Costumes are great as long as they do not compromise your personal safety, the safety of the crew, or others. FYI, this is a family event.
- Lifejackets will be provided for each team member but you are welcome to bring your own regulation vests, if you prefer.
Team Registration Process
1. Complete the waiver roster, which also serves as a team roster, and the team information form. Please ensure all forms are complete. Last minute changes to your roster are allowed prior to the first race on August 14. NOTE: Your registration is not complete until we have received your registration fee and team roster.
- The registration fee of $1,250 per 22-person* team. Early registration discount is $150 if received by May 1, 2010.
*Please note: For safety reasons, all teams will be assigned a professional steersperson at no charge. Steering the dragon boat requires more skill than any other position. He or she will make sure your boat is on point at the starting line, that the boat is properly balanced, and knows how to maintain a safe distance from other boats and obstructions on the water during the race.
2. Team Requirements
- Each person that you designate as a team member in your boat must sign the waiver/team roster.
- Minimum age for paddlers is 18 years old as of August 14, 2010.
- Each team must have at least 8 female paddlers.
3. Payment/Registration Information
- Each team must register with the Compact or online at www.nashvilledragonboat.com prior to August 1, 2010. Any team wishing to register after August 1 must contact the festival organizers for approval.
- 50% of payment is due during time of registration. Remaining balance is due on or before August 1, 2010.
- Cancellation within 60 days of event date will be refunded 75% of registration fee.
Nashville Dragon Boat and River Festival
c/o Cumberland River Compact
P.O. Box 41721
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 837-1151
admin@cumberlandrivercompact.org
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