Racing

Racing

National League

The BDA National League is an annual series of dragon boat racing events organised by BDA registered clubs on behalf of the BDA over the summer season at venues throughout the UK.

Each event has a regatta format, with qualifying rounds, minor and major finals to determine overall placings at the event. Races are typically held over distances from 200m to 2000m though some longer distance events, upto 5km, are also contested.

All BDA Registered Clubs that have a National League add-on are eligible to compete in the BDA National League (more information is here). The National points will be calculated using the BDA National Ranking System. More information n the BDA National Ranking System, Ranking Rules and Competition Rules are available here.

The National Competition event dates for 2024 are as follows:-

5th May – Stockton National Event

9th June – Salford Quays, Manchester National Event

22nd June – Milton Keynes National Event

14th July – Manvers National Event

28th July  Nottingham National Event

11th August - London National Event (LRC) 

21st-22nd Sept – National Championships (Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham)

  

In 2024 there are three types of BDA run events;

(1) BDA National Regattas which are intended to be for all clubs around the country to race together.

(2) There are Regional Weekends where the intension is to run an event for crews in each region to attend, and then

(3) We have the BDA National Championship in its usual format.

 

In addition to the races for BDA Registered Crews, at most events there will also be an opportunities for Scratch crews (who have not registered with BDA) and Charity crews (who raise money for charity through their dragon boat racing) to enter races in their own classes. Contact the race organisers to find out details of the eligible classes at specific events.

National Championships

The BDA National Championships is a two day event held at the end of the season. All the crews that have competed during the season are invited to take part. Races are typically over 200m, 500m, and 2000m distances. There are races for Open, Womens, Mixed and Under 18 crews. A round of heats determines which crews qualify for the Cup competition, and which go into the Plate or Bowl competition for runners-up.

 

International Events

4th -7th July - EDBF European Championships (Racice, Czechia)

5th-8th September - IDBF World Club Crews (Ravenna, Italy)