World Beat Dragon Boat Race is held at Riverfront City Park in Salem, Oregon, as part of the World Beat Festival.
Save the date!
World Beat Dragon Boat Race is scheduled for
Saturday, June 27, 2026
World Beat
RACE
Race Information
Register
Race Team Brackets
Rules & Waivers
Divisions
Schedule & General Information
Volunteers
Where to Stay
Past Race Results
JUMP TO
World Beat Dragon Boat Race occurs on the last Saturday in June each year at Riverfront City Park in Salem, Oregon.
Course length: 375m.
Boat size: 20 paddler boats.
Heats: Two qualifying heats, semi-finals, and finals.
Course map: The start point is the south side of the Center Street Bridge connecting west Salem with Salem downtown, and the finish line is south of the Riverfront Park dock. Race course image.
Spectator admission: Fans may cheer for free along the river. Entrance to World Beat Festival requires a ticket, and kids ages 14 and under are free.
World Beat Festival occurs all weekend where you can experience music, dance, food, and traditions of over 60 nations and cultures.
Race Information
We look forward to seeing you all in June. Paddles up!
REGISTRATION
Team registration.
ENTRANCE FEES
We use Zeffy for online payments. Note: Avoid the "donation" fee by selecting "Other."
EARLY BIRD: One 20-person club team paid ON or BEFORE 3/21/2026: $800.
REGULAR: One 20-person club team paid AFTER 3/21/2026: $900.
COMMUNITY TEAM: One 20-person mixed community team DUE BY 5/15/2026: $650.
Community team registration includes four practices with a coach and steerperson. Subject to the mutual availability of staff and time in the club practice schedule.
Please pay using the links above or make checks payable to Salem Multicultural Institute and send to:
Salem Multicultural Institute
RE: Dragon Boat Races
P.O. Box 4611
Salem, OR 97302
ARE YOU A FREELANCE PADDLER WHO WANTS TO RACE?
Only have half a boat of paddlers? We can help match your team with another team in the same boat! Let us find you a bench!
Before registering, contact us at dragon@salemmulticultural.org.
Register
Be sure all your paddlers sign the e-Waiver and mark "Racing/Festival Event Participant."
Team Roster Form - Please bring a completed copy to the check-in table by 8:30am.
Team Rosters are limited to 25 members, including drummer and steerperson.
Crews must have a minimum of 16 paddlers to race.
Rules & Waivers
Club teams may enter either Women or Mixed divisions. Mixed crews should be comprised of at least 50% women.
Community Teams will race as Mixed Teams.
There will be an All Cancer Paddlers (ACP) race with 2-4 boats, just before the Community heats.
Divisions
Gear Drop-off & Parking
Drop-off passes will be mailed the week prior to the race. Drop-off entrance is at Union and Front Streets in Salem (Google map). There will be security checking for your pass.
Schedule &
General Information
Parking structures within walking distance of Riverfront Park:
- Marion Parkade – 400 Marion Street. On Liberty St between Marion and Union Streets (Google map).
- Chemeketa Parkade – 300 Commercial Street. On Commercial St between Center and Court Streets (Google map).
Trash and Recycle containers will be available. Please help us maintain this lovely park and do your part in separating your trash and recyclables.
Food Vendors will be available in the main World Beat Festival area.
Brackets will be posted on the website by the Tuesday before the race.
Each visiting team is requested to provide two volunteers.
Visiting Team Dragon Volunteers can sign-up for jobs here: Volunteer sign-ups (coming soon!)
World Beat Dragon Boat Club Members your sign-up is here: WBDBC Volunteers (coming soon!)
volunteers
The Grand Hotel | 201 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301 | Phone: (503) 540-7800.
Hampton Inn & Suites | 510 Hawthorne Ave SE, Salem, OR 97301 | Phone (800) 774-1500.
La Quinta Inn | 890 Hawthorne Ave SE, Salem, OR 97301 | Phone (971) 374-2851.
There are many other hotels in the Salem area.