Sinopec Dragon Boat Charity Race

The Calgary Dragon Boat Society is proud to present the Sinopec Dragon Boat Charity Race, one of the festival’s most meaningful traditions — where the power of sport and community come together to raise funds and generate awareness for an important local cause.

Since 2011, the Calgary Dragon Boat Society has hosted the Charity Race to help raise awareness and funds for a selected non-profit organization making a difference in Calgary. Over the years, this special race has become a highlight of the festival — showcasing what’s possible when people pull together for something bigger than themselves.

Each year, over 100 participants from all walks of life — including representatives from government, business, media, community leaders, festival volunteers, and the charity itself — come together to experience the teamwork and excitement of dragon boating, all while helping generate awareness for the chosen cause.

Five spirited teams will face off in a fun 200-metre sprint for bragging rights — and more importantly, to rally our city in support of Calgary’s youth.

With more than 4,000 people expected throughout the festival weekend, the Sinopec Dragon Boat Charity Race is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite our paddles, voices, and hearts for a greater purpose.

Join us at North Glenmore Park to cheer them on, spread the word, and help generate awareness — because every paddle stroke moves our community forward.

This year, we are honoured to support YCC – Youth Centres of Calgary as our 2025 Charity Race recipient. YCC is dedicated to providing safe, inclusive spaces and life-changing programs that empower Calgary’s youth — and this special race helps shine a spotlight on their vital mission and the young lives they uplift every day.

A Safe Space

A Place That Feels Like Home

YCC operates out of welcoming, warm, home-like settings within walking distance of school or home in vulnerable communities.

Every day after school and during the breaks, kids aged 9-15 run to our centre for healthy snacks, a conversation with a university student role model, access to technology, a chance to play a sport, take a free music lesson, read a book in a quiet reading space, and paint a canvass. After a hot dinner, served by a mom, they do a chore and take a cookie for the walk home (most of them to Calgary Housing).

We are open every weekday during after-school hours when youth are most at risk of getting into or causing trouble.

Police and studies show that with safe spaces like ours, crime goes down, high school graduation goes up, kids don’t get into as much trouble, gang membership goes down, and families are supported.

And it works because of the many, incredibly generous, compassionate people in this city who make Youth Centres of Calgary’s safe spaces a reality for many of Calgary’s youth.

It’s All About the Kids

Today, if you walk into the house any day after school and through the summer, you’ll find a happy and boisterous group of youth, practicum students, and volunteers, in a warm and lively atmosphere. We have worked to create a welcoming and happy family vibe in the house, and it is a place where kids feel they have a home away from home.

Youth Centres of Calgary (YCC) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, supportive, and home-like environments for at-risk youth aged 9 to 15 in underserved Calgary communities. Established by compassionate Calgarians, YCC operates after-school and summer programs in neighborhoods like Ogden and Forest Lawn, aiming to offer stability and opportunities that many vulnerable youth lack.

At these centres, youth have access to healthy meals, mentorship from university student role models, sports coaching, music lessons, art supplies, and technology resources. The programs are designed to nurture resilience, self-confidence, and practical skills, helping to break cycles of poverty and social isolation. By providing these services during critical after-school hours, YCC aims to reduce crime rates, improve academic success, and decrease gang involvement among youth.

YCC’s ultimate goal is to expand its reach by opening more centres in other Calgary communities in need, thereby offering more youth the chance to grow and succeed in a supportive environment.

Together, we can paddle towards a future where every cultural stroke is valued and every race towards equality is won.

Youth Centres of Calgary

WELCOME ON BOARD!!!

A Message From The Director

“At YCC, we have 3 key priorities: 1) meeting the most basic human needs including food security, 2) building a kid’s capacity to break the cycles of poverty and to become healthy, happy, contributing citizens, and 3) building a strong and inclusive community around kids who may not otherwise feel that they belong to one.”

Jane Wachowich

Sinopec Charity Dragon Boat Charity Teams

updated: August 2, 2025

Lane #Team CaptainCharity Boat Name
1Rebecca LiCCCA Business Team
2Charlene & ChrisCDBS Volunteer Squad
3Grace WangCanada China Loong (CCA
4Joe ZhuChinatown Community
5Tom Olsen & Jack YeeGovernment & Media
6Jane WachowichYCC – Youth Centres of Calgary

Sinopec Dragon Boat Charity Race Program

Friday, August 8, 2025 (free admission)

Parking may be available at or near Calgary Canoe Club, and in the North Glenmore Park

updated: August 6, 2025

TimeRacing (docks)Festival & Marketplace
5:00pmCharity Race Participant Practice
– Dry Land training @ Canoe Club
– On water training @ Docks
5:30pmFestival Kickoff & Paddler’s Welcome Party!!!
FREE ADMISSION!!!

Beer Gardens – Family Friendly
by Marda Loop Brewing Co.

Food Trucks on-site

Dragon Marketplace – “Sneak-a-Peek”
until 8:00pm

Sinopec Charity Zone
– Health & Wellness – Canadian Academy of Alternative Asia Medicine
– YCC – Youth Centres of Calgary (Charity Recipient)

Main Stage DJ Music
– Mobile Entertainment Canada
– DJ Aaron
6:00pmRACE TEAM PACKAGE PICKUP @ BEER GARDENS
9:00pmFestival Site ClosesFestival Kickoff & Paddler’s Welcome Party – ENDS

Sinopec Charity Race Schedule
Sunday, August 10, 2025
(PARK AT Mount Royal University, TAKE SHUTTLES)

FREE festival parking at Mount Royal University, FREE SHUTTLES!!! See details…

updated: August 6, 2025

TimeRacing (docks)Festival & Marketplace
7:00amFestival Site OpensFirst Shuttle Bus Run from Mount Royal University

Food Trucks open for Breakfast (limited)
8:45amRacing Starts (see Racegrid 2025)
9:30amVIP & Charity Paddler CHECK-IN and Registration
@ Information Tent
10:00amDragon Marketplace OPENS
– 50 vendors
– 15 Food Trucks

Trico Homes KID”S PLAY Zone

Beer Gardens – Family Friendly
by Marda Loop Brewing Co.

Sinopec Charity Zone
– Health & Wellness – Canadian Academy of Alternative Asia Medicine
– YCC – Youth Centres of Calgary (Charity Recipient)

Main Stage DJ Music
– Mobile Entertainment Canada
– DJ Aaron
10:30amCharity Race Teams Line up
@ Information Tent
11:00amMain Stage Pan=Asian Performances (Global Fest)
11:00am – Filipino Arts and Culture Society of Alberta
12:00pm – Azeri Calgary Star
11:10amCharity Race Teams Line up
@ Marshalling area
11:40amSinopec Dragon Boat Charity Race
for YCC – Youth Centres of Calgary
(see more info…)
12:00pmCharity Race VIP Lunch Reception @ Beer Gardens
– Charity Race Medal Awards Presentation
1:00pmRacing Starts (see Racegrid 2025)Main Stage Pan=Asian Performances (Global Fest)
1:00pm – Brazilian Heritage Dance Group
1:30pm – Northwestern China Community Association of Alberta
2:00pm – The Vadrózsa Hungarian Folkdancers of Calgary
3:00pmFinal Race – Albert Wong Memorial Cup Race
End of Race Day.
3:30pmDragon Boat Race Awards Presentation
– Lion Dance Performance by
World Pak Mei Hup Ging Do Martial Arts
– Race Cup & Metal Presentations
– Closing Remarks
5:00pmDragon Marketplace – CLOSES
7:00pmFestival Site ClosesLast Shuttle Bus Run from Festival Site.

Kindly be aware that the event schedule is subject to unforeseen changes. Rest assured, the provided schedule represents the official timetable of the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival, and the information on this page is the most current and accurate schedule provided by the Calgary Dragon Boat Society.

See entire Festival Schedule…