Volunteer at the Calgary Dragon Boat Festival

updated: June 15, 2026

The Calgary Dragon Boat Society is proud to welcome Cenovus Energy as the official Volunteer Sponsor of the 2026 Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival.

Volunteers are the heart of our festival, and with the generous support of Cenovus Energy, we are excited to recognize and support the incredible people who help bring this community celebration to life.

Get ready to be part of one of Calgary’s most exciting summer events! The 2026 Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival takes place August 7–9 at North Glenmore Park, and we are inviting enthusiastic individuals, teams, companies, and community groups to join us as volunteers.

With over 1,800 paddlers, 4,000+ spectators, cultural vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and races throughout the weekend, the festival is full of energy, excitement, and community spirit. None of it happens without our amazing volunteer crew.

Volunteering at the festival is more than lending a hand. It is about being part of something fun, meaningful, and community-driven. Whether you love sport, enjoy meeting people, want to support culture and community, or simply want to try something new, there is a volunteer role for you.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Calgary Dragon Boat Festival.

Thanks to the support of Cenovus Energy, our Volunteer Sponsor, festival volunteers will be recognized for the important role they play in helping create a safe, welcoming, and exciting event experience for paddlers, guests, families, sponsors, and the community.

As a token of appreciation, volunteers receive:

• A high-quality dry-fit volunteer T-shirt
• A delicious buffet lunch during your shift
• Snacks and water at the volunteer tent
• A chance to meet new people and gain hands-on event experience
• An opportunity to be part of one of Calgary’s largest cultural and sporting festivals
• A fun volunteer paddling experience in a dragon boat, when available

Whether you volunteer for a few hours or the whole weekend, your time makes a real impact.

Please note: Some volunteer positions fill up quickly. If your preferred role is already full, we may assign you to another fun and important role based on festival needs.

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Race-Side Volunteer Opportunities (near water)

If you love being close to the action, our race-related roles put you right on the frontlines of the competition:

Dock Management (Saturday & Sunday):
Be part of the high-energy dock crew, where paddlers launch and return from their races. Volunteers in this role help steady boats, assist paddlers on and off, and ensure safety protocols are followed. It’s a physically active position and gives you the best view of the water!

Timing Tower (Saturday & Sunday):
Work alongside our race officials at the finish line. You’ll help track race results and ensure timing accuracy for each heat. A test run will be held Friday, August 8, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Assistant Finish Referee:
Support the Chief of Finish in verifying final results and maintaining fairness during races. It’s a great opportunity if you enjoy detail and precision.

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Festival & Community Support Roles (on land)

Prefer to be on land helping guests and keeping things running smoothly? These roles are perfect for outgoing, team-oriented volunteers:

Event Information Distribution:
Help us spread the word! About two weeks before the Dragon Boat Race & Festival, we’ll need a small team of volunteers to deliver event notices door-to-door throughout the Lakeview community. It’s a great way to get outdoors, enjoy a walk, and help ensure our neighbors are informed about the upcoming excitement at North Glenmore Park. All materials will be provided — we just need your helping hands (and feet)!

Festival Ground Crew:
Our behind-the-scenes heroes! Help with site setup, signage, cleanliness, and maintaining a positive, organized environment throughout the weekend.

VIP Service Team:
Support our hospitality efforts by greeting and assisting special guests, dignitaries, and sponsors. You’ll help ensure they feel welcomed and cared for during their festival visit.

Information & Volunteer Tent:
Help fellow volunteers get checked in, geared up, and stay energized with snacks and water. You’ll also assist festival goers with basic questions and directions.

Volunteer Photographers:
We need keen eyes to capture the vibrant moments of the weekend — the races, crowds, cultural performances, and behind-the-scenes magic. If you’ve got a good eye and a camera, we want you!

Trico Homes Kid’s Zone (in partnership with Diversecities):
Bring your playful energy to our family zone! Help children and families enjoy safe, creative activities like games, crafts, and cultural experiences.

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Volunteer Orientation

A volunteer orientation session (via Zoom) will be scheduled for Aug 5th prior to the festival. It’s a great chance to meet fellow volunteers, get a full rundown of your role, ask questions, and get pumped for the weekend.

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Ready to Join the Crew?

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community while having a blast — and we’d love to have you on board.

Have questions or want to sign up? Email us at: treasurer@calgarydragonboatsociety.com

Let’s make this year’s Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival the best one yet — together.

Paddles up, and we’ll see you on the shore!

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Registration now closed.

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