Inlet Spring Regatta hosts women’s and mixed teams.

PORT MOODY, BC – On Saturday, April 19, Rocky Point Park will come alive with the energy of paddlers as the Inlet Spring Regatta returns for its sixth year. This highly anticipated event draws dragon boat teams from across the region and welcomes competitors from Washington State.

"It's incredible to see how much this event has grown since 2018," said Robbin Whachell, President of the Nothin' Dragon Paddling Society. "We're hosting the regatta on Easter Weekend due to optimal tide conditions, and we're thrilled that more than 40 teams registered and are ready to race. We welcome back our paddling friends from Seattle and invite the Tri-Cities community to experience the thrill of dragon boating up close."

As the first dragon boat race of the Canadian season, the Inlet Spring Regatta sets the tone for an exciting year ahead. Hosted by the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society, this free, family-friendly event offers more than just racing. Spectators can immerse themselves in the action, meet the paddlers, and enjoy live music, interactive photo boards showcasing local birds, a marketplace with vendors and educational booths, a DJ, live entertainment, and the popular Yellow Dog beer garden.

"We’re incredibly grateful for the City of Port Moody’s ongoing support in making this event possible,” said event chairman Brian Kenny. “And a huge thank you to our major sponsor, K+S Potash Canada, whose commitment helps us bring this exciting day to life while strengthening community connections."

Location, location, location! We’ve got it, right here at Rocky Point Park in beautiful Port Moody, BC.

The Regatta features thrilling 200m sprints, with teams racing head-to-head in heats of three to four boats. Each race lasts about a minute, but every second counts as paddlers push their limits in a test of teamwork, precision, and power. Teams will compete in either the mixed or women’s division, with the top three finishers earning a coveted “woodal”—a handcrafted wooden medal featuring a kingfisher, a bird of the Inlet, intricately carved by First Nations artist Glen Rabena.

Each BUK dragon boat seats 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson, with teams often bringing additional paddlers, coaches, and managers. Those needing extra hands can sign up for roving spares, ensuring that every team gets a fair shot at victory. With four guaranteed races per team, the day promises non-stop action and unforgettable moments on and off the water.

Unique to our dragon boat event, the woodal! Kingfisher design by First Nation artist, Glen Rabena.

Paddlers are from Chilliwack, Comox, Coquitlam, Cultus Lake, Fort Langley, Harrison Hot Springs, Kelowna, Langley, Mission, Nanaimo, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria. Learn more about each team HERE.

The Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society wishes to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, City of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, Enhance Sport & Wellness, The Tri-City News, Oddball Apparel, Thrifty Foods, Centrum Solutions, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, Old Mill Boathouse and Shutter Up & Shoot.

For more information go to www.inletspringregatta.com.

Ready or not! Races are fast and furious 200m sprints.

2025 Teams: Abreast at Rocky Point, Al-O-Wetters, Atomic Furies, Century Dragons, Cultus Lake Dragonflyers, DH Crew, DH United, DH Velocity, Draggin' Divas, FCRCC Dragon Ladies, FCRCC Saggin Dragons, False Creek Masters, FLCC C Dragons, FLCC D-Fyance, FLCC Dragonflies, FLCC Fort Fusion, FLCC Furies, FLCC Iron Maidens, FLCC Phoenix, FLCC Race Crew, FLCC River Dragons, FLCC SOAR (Spirit of a Renegade), FLCC Titanium, FLCC Titanium Masters, FLCC FORTified, Grandragons, Harrison Wild, Mavens of Mayhem, North Shore Dragon Busters, One Dragon, Perfect Wave, Rapids, RPDB - Unified Ripped Tides, RPDB Moody Brews, RPDB Moody Dragons, RPDB Moody Growlers, Seattle Flying Dragons, Seattle Flying Women, Seventh Wave, Sudden Impact One Paddle, TCC Dragoneers, Twisted Dragons, and FVPC Seraphins.

About Dragon Boating: Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Participants of all ages compete and enjoy the sport. Over 2,000,000 people around the world participate in dragon boat festivals or regattas. Dragon boats are 12 meters in length and are propelled by 20 paddlers guided by a steersperson and kept in rhythm by a drummer seated at the bow of the boat maintaining a steady and powerful pace for the duration of a 200-metre or 500-metre course.

About the venue: Known as the City of the Arts, Port Moody is located in Metro Vancouver at the east end of Burrard Inlet and is bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south, and Burnaby on the west. The regatta venue, Rocky Point Park, is known for its beautiful amenities with The Boathouse Restaurant, Pajos Fish and Chips. and Rocky Point Ice Cream all within one to five minutes walking distance. The area is well-known for its four local breweries also within short walking distance from the venue.

About the Nothin' Dragon: The Nothin' Dragon senior team is based in Port Moody, B.C., and operate under the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society. The team has approximately 65 members and support the Rapids dragon boat high school team made up of students from Riverside and Gleneagle Secondary. More information at nothindragon.org.

Media Contact:
Brian Kenny
604-817-5961
inletspringregatta@gmail.com

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