Dragon Boat BC

Thank you racers for joining us on Saturday for this year's Vessi 500 Championship. The weather was gorgeous, the racing was exciting, and energy was high. Congratulations to the teams that captured the gold for the day!

🏅Mixed Division: Juice Dragon Boat - 1:52.858
🏅Women Division: Dragon Zone Premier Women - 2:05.432
🏅Open Cup: Dragon Zone Premier Open - 1:51.768
🏅Senior Cup: Nothin' Dragon Rock - 2:24.148

We recognize the first responders, racers, crew, and personnel that supported a serious situation on Saturday. All of us have the paddler, their team, and friends and family in our thoughts. We thank the team of medical professionals that continue to take care of the paddler through this period.

The Vessi 500 Championship thanks all attendees, visitors, racers, and supporters for being part of the event, and especially recognizes its funding partners: Vessi, Oddball Workshop, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, BC Arts Council, and Sport Hosting Van.

On your marks! 🏁☀️ In less than an hour, race 1 for one of the largest races in North America this year kicks off in Olympic Village and False Creek. Welcome to the Vessi 500 Championship, teams! Make sure you come down today to cheer on over 130 teams hitting the water today, and enjoy all the free activities happening on land.

Heats run from 8-10:45 AM, semi finals from 11 AM-2 PM, and finals from 2:30 onwards. All races are 500M running from near Cambie Street Bridge towards the Concord Pacific Presentation Centre. Live results and marshalling is available online at vessi2026.pages.dev!

With the support of Vessi, Oddball Workshop, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, BC Arts Council, and Sport Hosting Van.

SATURDAY MAY 30 TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Please note the following road closures, bike lane adjustments, and temporary no parking zones in place tomorrow for the Vessi 500 Championship. As part of adjustments beginning in 2025 due to the seawall closure, all events in Olympic Village will follow the same footprint moving forward. The closures and detours will be supported by VPD officers on site through the day.

🚖 No Parking Zones: Athletes Way from Ontario Street to Salt Street; West side Ontario Street between Athletes Way and Walter Hardwick Avenue; East side Manitoba between Athletes Way and Walter Hardwick Avenue
🛑 Street Closures: One way going westbound only between Ontario Street and Salt Street, full closure of Athletes Way between Salt Street and Manitoba Street
🚲️ Bike Lane Reroute: bike lane reroute from seawall to Athletes Way
🐲 Racer Drop Off: Athletes Way on south side, opposite of Creekside Community Centre (strict 2 minute drop off only)
🅿️ Parking: Under Urban Fare, and London Drugs. We also encourage racers and visitors to use the surface parking lot available off of Switchmen Street/Pullman Porter Street.

For any day-of issues, please email [email protected] or call 604 688 2382 extension 1 to reach our staff, or call the City of Vancouver at 311 for support. Visit dragonboatbc.ca/vessi500 for more information on tomorrow's events.

With the support of Vessi, Oddball Workshop, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, BC Arts Council, and Sport Hosting Van.

Our biggest Vessi 500 Championship hits Olympic Village this Saturday, and we're grateful for your support especially through this season like no other. As we get set to host our last event in Vancouver, before we take a break as the city hosts the world, we've lined up plenty of activities both on and off the water for everyone to enjoy! ☀️

Watch the races, and enjoy live music, crafts, performances, and activities for free in Milton Wong Square. Or, grab a bite to eat with food trucks from Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival, and shop local with local craft artisans from Got Craft Markets!

🏁 Races begin at 8:00 AM and run throughout the day
🎙️ Sarah McLachlan School of Music and The Mini Boogie Live Music
🦁 Hon Hsing Athletic Club of Vancouver 雲高華漢升體育會 Lion Dance and Kung Fu
🀄️ Chinese Canadian Museum and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Craft and Educational Opportunities
🦘 Jump Rope Vancouver Meetup and Open Workshops
♟️ No Stress Chess Open Games

Visit dragonboatbc.ca/vessi500 for more info, and come this Saturday to enjoy everything the city has to offer! With the support of Vessi, Oddball Workshop, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, BC Arts Council, and Sport Hosting Van.

Now this is our type of unboxing 👀 Our Vessi 500 Championship medals are here now, and ready to make a splash this weekend as we welcome over 130 teams to Olympic Village!

Racers, are you ready for the start line? Races start at 8 AM and run to 6:00 PM this weekend. Remember to bring your sunscreen and smiles to the start line! ☀️

With the support of Vessi, Oddball Workshop, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, and Sport Hosting Van.

Parents: with just a few weeks from summer starting, it's now or never to register for summer camps! With paddling adventures PLUS field trips to iconic Vancouver attractions, they'll get an experience that will turn their summer into an unforgettable memory.

⛺️ Camps feature a 1:6 camper to supervisor ratio
🚣‍♀️ Campers will get the chance to paddle kayaks and dragon boats, and explore other boat types!
🚌 Field trips include off-sites to unique venues like
📍 Convenient drop-off and pick up location in Olympic Village- just 5 minutes from the Skytrain

Sign up now at register.dragonboatbc.ca. Or, make it twice as nice: email us at [email protected] to enjoy 10% off registration if you sign a camper up for more than one week, or more than one camper in a week! Visit dragonzone.ca/community for more info.

Birds Nest Properties Community Paddling Days is back: try dragon boat for just $2 on May 24, with proceeds supporting our community! From our Olympic Village docks, everyone's invited to come down with their friends and family to learn to paddle with our instructors from Juice Dragon Boat- one of Canada's top teams- as you get to experience Vancouver from a whole new angle.

Sign up now at https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/vancouver/activity/search?activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=community%20paddling&viewMode=list: spots are limited, so grab them before they fill up! With the support of Birds Nest Properties. Visit dragonzone.ca/community for more info.

Run, don't walk. 👟👟 Our biggest ever Vessi 500 Championship is around the corner, and we've got the perfect shirt for you to take home with you! Oddball Workshop
has been working on the perfect paddling jersey, and between their signature lightweight fabrics 🎽, made in Canada quality 🍁, and distinctly coastal vibes 🌊, they've created the perfect souvenir of one of North America's biggest races this season.

With almost 130 teams set to take to the start line in just 3 weeks, we're ready to welcome you to the legendary race course. Preorder your shirt until May 17 online at https://oddballworkshop.com/collections/vessi-500m-championship!

The Vessi 500 Championship is supported by the Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver - Local Government, Vancouver Park Board, and Sport Hosting Van.