Submitted by Vivian Medley
Did you know that Bayfront Park is home to the annual Waterfest Dragon Boat Festival? This spectacular regatta is hosted by Alkame Dragon Boat Services and is happening this year on Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th. For those of you who have attended this free, family-friendly event in the past, you know how sensational it is. If you have not, and want to experience something completely different, mark your calendar and get ‘Ready, Ready’ to watch this very cool, ancient Chinese sport in action! Just follow the sound of the beating drums and the roar of the crowds. You’ll be pleased you did!
Fifty-six teams are registered to compete in this year’s two-day Waterfest Dragon Boat Festival. On Saturday, racing will include thirty-two Mixed (men and women) Division teams. On Sunday, racing will include sixteen Women’s Division teams, six Breast Cancer Paddler Division teams and Two Open (typically all male) Division teams. Crews in each Division will compete in four races: one 200 m (don’t blink or you might miss this blistering sprint!), two 500 m (a longer, more strategic race) and one 2 km (the infamous, final race of each day).
Simultaneously loved and dreaded by paddlers and steerspersons alike, the 2 km is a crowd-pleasing, endurance race that has dragon boats going up and down the 500 m racecourse twice, requiring three turns. The start times for this race are staggered, with one boat starting every 15 seconds, beginning with the teams who clocked the slowest times during their combined 500 m and 200 m races. This delayed start presents faster teams with the challenging opportunity to catch up and potentially pass a boat (or boats!). You can imagine the thrill of that rare moment, when steers people at the back of the boat yell at their crew for more power and the corresponding adrenaline rush that ensues as they try desperately to take the boat ahead. You might hear the banging of paddles from competing boats or witness the dramatic beheading of a dragon boat as boats attempt to pass, especially during the turns. Caution: dragon boat racing is serious business, and crews must adhere to the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society rules and regulations for passing otherwise they may be penalized or, worse yet, disqualified! The top three crew in each Division, based on times in this final 2 km race, will be awarded medals. You better believe competition will be stiff!
Knot A Breast (KAB), Hamilton and area’s breast cancer survivor team has competed in the Waterfest Dragon Boat Festival since its inception in 2007. It is often the inaugural festival for first-year KAB paddlers, lovingly referred to as our newbies. It is their first opportunity to experience the thrill of racing and possibly even medaling. More significant, though, is the moment of self-realization that often follows a newbie’s first race when she realizes just how far she’s come in her cancer recovery. Not only has she just clearly demonstrated that to herself but also to those friends and family who have come to support her. Priceless!
This year, KAB has two crews registered in the Festival: one crew will race in the Breast Cancer Paddler Division and the other will race in the Women’s Division. Competing in this later Division reflects the ever-growing competitive spirit of some KAB teammates and affords them the opportunity to compete as female athletes in their own right. They will be vying to bring home some hardware!
As is tradition at dragon boat festivals around the world with a Breast Cancer Paddler Division, there will be a pause in racing for the Pink Carnation Ceremony. It is a moving, heartfelt memorial and celebration where breast cancer paddlers toss flowers into the water to honour survivors, those fighting the disease and those who have passed. This is a grim reality for survivor teams. During the ceremony, survivor teams will temporarily suspend their rivalry, paddle to the middle of the channel and lock their boats together and float as one. There will be a guest speaker followed by a moving song and then a moment of silence after which paddlers will toss their flowers up and into the bay. This will be an especially poignant moment this year for KAB as they remember the recent passing of a dear friend and teammate. The crews in the survivor boats will then compose themselves, paddle back to shore and resume racing.
The colourful sight of racing dragon boats and the lively and inspiring atmosphere of the 2026 Hamilton Waterfest Dragon Boat festival will be enhanced by the presence of on-site vendors. They will be selling everything from dragon boat accessories to locally made crafts to tasty eats and treats including ice cream and freshly squeezed lemonade. Come support local and be a part of this spectacular North End summer festival! Take note: this event is well attended and parking is extremely limited. If you are fortunate to live in the North End and can walk or cycle to the event, please do. Public transportation is another great option to consider. So, get your cheering voice ‘Ready, Ready’ and come watch dragons play on the waters of Hamilton Bay.
Be sure to follow the 2026 season of Knot A Breast on Instagram and Facebook.
