Magnolia Circle Dragon Boat Race
Magnolia Circle Dragon Boat Race & Festival
Join us as a paddler, sponsor or spectator for our 2nd annual Dragon Boat Festival on September 17th at Nauticus Pier! This is a non-profit, fundraising event for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD). The 2015 Magnolia Circle Dragon Boat Race was the first of its kind in the Hampton Roads area.
Festivities to benefit CHKD
The Dragon Boat Race & Festival is free and open to the public, so bring your friends and family! CHKD Healthy Bear, the Transport Team, and Sports Medicine will be making an appearance. Food, beverage, and retail vendors will be onsite. This year’s vendors include:
- Food & beverages provided by Pollard’s Chicken, Krispy Kreme & Costco
- Beer provided by O’Connor Brewing Co.
- Sangria provided by Total Wine
- Free water for athletes provided by Bank of America
- Music provided by Promo Joe and Hot 100.5
- Dragon Dancers provided by Confucius Institute
- T-shirts available for sale by Bay Graphics
- Waterfront bleachers provided by the City of Norfolk
Team Information
A dragon boat seats 20 paddlers in 10 rows with a steersperson (provided by the organizers) standing in the stern to guide the boat, and a drummer in the bow to motivate the team and keep the paddlers in sync. These 22 people all work in unison to propel the boat. A lightweight person is recommended as a drummer, since the drummer sits on the bow of the boat. Each team will participate in at least 3 qualifying races.
Team Captains must register their team, coordinate practice(s) and attend the Team Captain Meeting the morning of the event. The team captain is also responsible for all communications with your teammates.
The event and practices are rain or shine. Only extremely windy conditions or lightening will affect the festival.
Registration
Sign up to race your team today! Registration to race in the event is $1,500 for corporate boats, $1,250 for non-profit, $800 for junior (limited) or $70 per individual. Spectators are free.
- Individuals who wish to register should send an email to chkdmagnoliacircle@gmail.com. A circle member will be in touch with you to complete your registration and seat you in a boat.
- Register your team by completing your team roster at https://www.panamdragonboat.com/races/magnolia-circle-dragon-boat-race-2/
- All paddlers will be required to complete a waiver which can be delivered by email through the registration website.
- Registration payment can be made with credit card on the Pan AM site or make checks payable to: Magnolia Circle and mail to: The King’s Daughters, 601 Children’s Lane, 2nd Floor, Norfolk, VA 23507
- Schedule your practice sessions at https://www.panamdragonboat.com/book-magnolia-circle-norfolk-va/
- Team Captains will pick up their registrations during practice sessions or the morning of the event. All waivers must be signed before the team wristbands will be released to the team captains. Wristbands are required to board the boats.
PRACTICE SESSIONS:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH FROM 4-7 PM
Additional practice sessions may be added depending on the number of registered teams. Please sign up for your desired practice time early by logging onto https://www.panamdragonboat.com/book-magnolia-circle-norfolk-va/
- Practice will be held at Nauticus (on the water behind the museum), One Waterside Drive in downtown Norfolk
- Practices include the basics of paddling, techniques for staying in-sync, racing lingo & fun!
- Teams are encouraged to have all team members at practice, including your drummer
- Please arrive to practice 15 minutes early
- View a video demonstration for proper Dragon Boat padding at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7lRbj3K8c4
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH FROM 7:30 AM UNTIL 4:30 PM
Join us on the water behind Nauticus in downtown Norfolk at One Waterside Drive, Norfolk VA 23510.
- 7:30 am Teams arrive and assemble in Athlete Village
- 8:30 am Team Captain’s Meeting
- 9:00 am Racing Begins: First Round Qualifying Heat – 350m
- 10:30 am National Anthem & Opening Ceremonies
- 11:30 am Semi Final Round Racing Begins
- 1:30 pm Championship Round Racing Begins
- 3:30 pm Championship Final!
- 4:00 pm Awards & Medal Presentations; Closing Ceremony
Parking
Please use the city parking garages listed below. A special event parking fee of $5 cash will be charged upon entry. Please only use the Nauticus loop for quick drop offs. For more information on parking, including fees, click here: http://norfolk.gov/parking/
- Town Point Garage: 110 West Main Street
- Boush Street Garage: 112 W. City Hall Avenue
- West Plume Street Garage: 135 West Plume Street
ATHLETE’S VILLAGE
The Athlete’s Village is behind the Nauticus under the awning. Teams should enter through the gates on the south side of the Nauticus building. Each team will have a designated area. Feel free to bring chairs, tables, and tents. Tents must be tied down and weighted (stakes cannot be used to secure tents).
Please remember this is city property as well as a fundraising event. Breakfast, lunch and drinks will be available for sale. Free water will be provided to paddlers. Please support our vendors and remember no outside alcohol is permitted on city property!
Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites throughout the day and after the event. Let's all work together to keep Nauticus campus clean!
TEAM SPIRIT & AWARDS
Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd places. There will also be recognition for “most spirited” team and the “Dragon’s Breath” award goes to last place.
Discounted shirts available for sale from Bay Graphics (20% off for Dragon Boat Teams)
STEERSMAN RAFFLE
Raffle tickets will be available for sale during practice sessions and on race day to vote for your favorite steersman. The winning team will have their choice of steersman during the final race.
QUESTIONS?
Send an email to chkdmagnoliacircle@gmail.com and a circle member will be in touch!
Take lots of pictures and tag them! #magnoliacircle #chkdmagnoliacircle #magnoliadragonboat #magnoliacircledragonboat
Magnolia Circle wants to share a HUGE THANK YOU to Dominion Enterprises and Southern Bank for contributing to our event at the Silver Dragon Sponsorship level. Our circle and ultimately Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) are honored to be supported by such generous community partnerships!
