Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, for the time being, the festival will be limited to solely participants on event day. Our team is keeping a close eye on all necessary information regarding this guideline and will update as needed.

Minimum age for paddlers is 16 years by the day of the race.

You can participate by forming a team or joining an existing team.

• Cost is $25 registration fee per person (fee increases to $30 on Thurs. April 14, 2022)
• A team must commit to raising $5,000 as a team to participate on race day.
• You must be 16 years of age or older.

(Sponsors, please note that your first 25 paddlers are exempt from paying this registration fee, click here to contact the Dragon Boat Team for your discount code).

This race is a team event. However, you can join a team! Simply click the “Join a Team” tab on our home page and find the team you wish to join. Click “join,” fill out your registration form, and pay the $25 registration fee (fee increases to $30 beginning on Thursday, April 14, 2022) and commit to raising $5,000 as a team in order to participate on race day.

Yes! Simply click the “Join a Team” tab on our home page and find the team you wish to join. Click “join,” fill out your registration form, and pay the $25 registration fee (fee increases to $30 beginning on Thursday, April 14, 2022) and commit to raising $5,000 as a team in order to participate on race day.

Since its inception in 2006, Dragon Boat Upstate Festival has been a catalyst for individuals in the Upstate to work together and change the face of cancer here in our community. Over the years, over $4 million have been raised by caring community members, helping propel the Prisma Health Cancer Institute forward in the areas of advanced cancer research and patient survivor programs in the Upstate.

Funds raised through Dragon Boat will provide much-needed support for local prevention and early detection, advanced cancer research and patient programs, as well as life-changing patient and survivor programs. These programs include the Mobile Mammography Initiative, the Center for Cancer Prevention and Wellness program, the Institute for Translational Oncology Research, McCrary Blood & Marrow Transplant Unit, and the Center for Integrative Oncology & Survivorship.

Donating to Dragon Boat is easy. You can make a donation by visiting the home page and clicking on the Donate button. You can also donate to support a team or individual paddler or make a general donation. Donations are also accepted by texting PaddlesUp to 41444 or scan this QR code

Yes! Please make your tax deductible contribution payable to:
"Prisma Health Dragon Boat Upstate Festival" (please include team or paddler designation in memo line)
Fill out our offline donation form and mail to the address below and you will receive an acknowledgement letter and our deepest thanks.

Mail Checks To:
Prisma Health Office of Philanthropy
ATTN: Cyndie Ford
300 E. McBee Ave., Suite 201
Greenville, SC 29601-2882

Children under 16 are highly discouraged from attending the Dragon Boat Upstate Festival due to the nature of this event. If participants do not make alternate childcare arrangements, they will be required to pre-register any child under age 16 on the Dragon Boat website and pay a mandatory $25 fee and complete a liability waiver. This does not allow a child to participate in the day’s festivities, but simply ensures safety precautions are being followed. Children who accompany a parent to the event must be under adult supervision at all times and remain at the team’s designated tent area at all times. If safety regulations are not followed, you will be asked to leave the event.

Pets are not permitted at the event, with the only exception being for service animals. Any attendee that shows up with a pet will be asked to leave the event immediately.

Yes! For more information on how you can change the face of cancer in the Upstate through the Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, review our available sponsorship options here Dragon Boat Sponsor Booklet or contact here to contact the Dragon Boat Team.

Proceeds from Dragon Boat benefits these programs and services of the Prisma Health Cancer Institute: The Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR), The Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship (CIOS), The Center for Cancer Prevention and Wellness (CCPW), The McCrary Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, The Prisma Health 3D Mobile Mammography Unit, as well as The South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

No equipment is necessary. Everything will be supplied. Just bring your team!

Yes! Each team can participate in a racing how-to seminar and one hour of practice time during the week leading up to the race. Each team will be assigned a one-hour practice session on one of the two designated practice days. During this session, you and your fellow paddlers will learn the basics of dragon boat technique and prepare you for race day.

You need a minimum of 21 people (20 paddlers and 1 drummer) for a team. Twenty-five (25) team shirts will be provided per team (more t-shirts can be purchased by special order). It is important to know that anybody over the age of 16 can do dragon boat: as long as a person can hold a paddle, he or she can help to the success of your team! For this event, only co-ed crews will race. Each team needs a minimum of 8 female paddlers. For the drummer, select a teammate that can keep the rhythm. Many teams recruit 25 paddlers or more, allowing for alternates (in the event of last minute changes, illness, etc.).

Your team will race in at least two heats of approximately 220 meters each. A total of three boats race against one another in each heat. Teams with the best time from their first two heats will advance to the finals, where the overall winners will be determined.

Wear comfortable clothing that does not hold or absorb moisture and has a tighter fit (rather than loose or baggy). Shorts or athletic tights are best for your lower body. You will likely get wet so be sure not to wear your brand new running shoes! Old sneakers, water sandals or aqua socks make the best footwear. Bring a change of clothes in case you get wet or in the event the weather changes from cool to warm throughout the day.