Youth Teams


Divisions

  • Mixed - minimum of 8 males and 8 females when racing

  • Boys

  • Girls

The Wellington Harbour comes alive when youth crews are paddling. The vibrancy of the inter-schools competition is an unmissable event!

The 2025 youth dragon boat season begins on Monday 3 February 2025, and runs for 4 weeks until the Festival on Sunday 2 March 2025. Youth teams also have the optional opportunity to enter the Harbour Fun Day on Saturday 15 February 2025.

Training sessions occur between 3pm and 7pm Monday - Thursday, with teams having either 1 or 2 trainings per week.

Not only is the youth racing watched by thousands of spectators, the team chant competition has become a huge part of the festival with a trophy awarded for the winning team. Prizegiving occurs onsite after the festival on Sunday, with medals for teams that place in their respective finals.

Most youths form their teams at the end of the previous year so they can hit the water paddling as soon as school recommences.

With the help of the Wellington Dragon Boat Charitable Trust, we are able to take subsidised entries for youth teams. The Trust helps educate young people on water safety, team building, fitness, and the sport of dragon boating. Please contact us for entry details and pricing.

Bookings are taken on a first-in first-served basis. Once you have registered your team, our Festival Manager will contact you about booking your training sessions, and confirming your Coach and Sweep.