Prices are in USD.

Payment Methods
We accept Visa, Mastercard or Check.

Paying by check
You will receive a discount of $25 USD. This discount will be automatically applied during the registration process.

Introducing Event Guard
Offers your team peace of mind against the unknown. The rate for this event is $95 USD plus applicable taxes and must be purchased when registering your team for the event.
Cancellation or Postponement: If the event is cancelled or postponed more than 12 hours in advance of the scheduled first race, receive a full refund.
Cancel for Any Reason: Cancel anytime up to 30 days in advance of the event for any reason and receive a full refund.

For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.

Racing Divisions

• At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. 
• Top teams in each Sport Mixed, Women’s, Open and BCS divisions will qualify for the 2000m race.
• To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.

Address
The event will be held at Mercer County Park, event location is located east of the Marina at 334 S Post Rd, West Windsor Twp, NJ 08691.

Site Map
The 2025 site map will be posted 1 week before event day.

Driving Directions to Event Site
Click here for a map to the event site upon arrival at Mercer County Park.

Directions
From US Route 1: Cross toll bridge into New Jersey on US Route 1.  Take first right past Quakerbridge Road.  Travel almost 2 ½ miles and turn left onto Hughes Drive.  Proceed on Hughes Drive for ½ mile to the entrance of Mercer County Park on the left.

From NJ Turnpike: Take Turnpike South to Exit 8 at Highstown.  Follow Route 33 West and turn right on 571.  Travel on 571 for 2 ½ miles to Route 535 and proceed 4 miles to the entrance of Mercer County Park on the right.

Once you arrive in the park, make your way to the Boathouse/Marina and follow the signs to event parking.  The event site is east of the Marina.

Park Rules
We’re committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:

• Pets are welcome at Mercer County Park but should be leashed at all times
• No grills or other cooking equipment are allowed on park grounds.
  

Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites.  In addition to handing out waste bags during team check-in, there will be wastebaskets located throughout the Athletes’ Village to maintain the park’s cleanliness.  Let’s all work together to keep Mercer County Park clean and green.

Medical Services
Medical services and first aid will be available on site. If you’re in need of medical attention, please report to the medical tent for immediate assistance.

Race Schedule
For the 2025 Race Schedule, please click here. (Updated as of Wed., Sept. 10, 4:30pm)

At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. 

To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.

For the Points & Race Structure and ERDBA Regionals, click here.

For the 2K Rules of Racing, click here.

For the MLDB Rules of Racing, click here.

Schedule Advancement
Sport Divisions
Teams will race up to five times over three distances: 2 x 500m, 2 x 200m, 1 x 2,000m*.Teams will be ranked overall based on time, in the Qualifying Round. The 500m Qualifier will seed teams into the 500m Final. The 500m Final will seed teams into the 2,000m race. The 200m Qualifier will seed teams into the 200m Final.

Only the top teams in each division (i.e. Mixed, Women’s, BCP, Open) will compete in the 2,000m race. ACP and Paradragons will be added to the seeding in the Open division to be eligible to qualify for the 2,000m.

Points for each distance will be awarded to each team based on overall placement in the Final round.

Teams not qualified for the 2,000m will receive points only for the 500m Final and 200m Final.

Community Divisions
Teams will race 3 x 500m.

Race Marshaling
Marshaling for races will begin promptly half an hour before the first race on Saturday. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.

Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters on race day. Registration will be open from approximately 6:00AM to 9:30AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.

For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Wednesday, September 10th. Online access to waivers will be restricted after the deadline, after which only paper copies will be accepted on Saturday morning.

Team Captain’s Meeting
There will be a Team Captain’s meeting on Saturday morning, 1 hour before the first race, at the Awards Stage to discuss race day rules and address any questions.

Sport Division
Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each Division, based on points overall in the Division.

Community Division
Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each Grand Final and the top team in each Consolation Final.

Consolation Finals
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Grand Finals
Third and second-place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First-place teams will receive a trophy and medals.

Awards Ceremonies
Community Division
Ceremonies will take place after each Consolation Race and Grand Final Race. Volunteers will gather the gold medal-winning team as they come off the water.  They will be escorted directly to the award stage. Bronze and silver medal-winning teams will receive their medals in the dock area.

The A Division Grand Final for Mixed, Women’s, and Open ceremonies will take place after all races are completed.

Sport Division
Ceremonies will take place after all races are completed and points are tabulated to determine the winners.

For general information on how points are rewarded, download the Festival Points and Awards Sheet.

Stay tuned for entertainment and on-site activities for 2025.

Marketplace:

• A Image LLC
• Butchs Hot Stuff Hot Sauce
• Buzzetta’s Catering
• Dragon Saddle
• GWN Pro Shop

Interested in being a vendor? Email us at info@gwnevents.com to find out more.

The event site is right by the Finish Tower along the watercourse (east of the Marina).  The parking area will be located south of the event site, please check the map for the exact location.  There will be signs to direct you to the parking area as well.  Participants/spectators are also welcome to park at the Marina’s parking lots.  Walk towards the water and head east through the forest to the event site. Vehicles are not allowed on the event site, please do not go beyond the fence line. Park only in designated areas. 

Looking to have some fun on the docks? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers.

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and fast-paced action that is dragon boat racing. You’ll also get to experience the energy and excitement of the festival event atmosphere and be a part of a vibrant community of dragon boat enthusiasts. Volunteers will be needed to help with various tasks in ensuring the safety and smooth operations of the event through the various outlined tasks:

• Boat Marshalls: Will be on the dock assisting paddlers with getting in and out of the boats. This position should be filled by people who are comfortable around the water.
• Results Runners: Will be posting the results from the Timing Officials at the Registration Headquarters. This position requires neat handwriting.
• Team Marshalls: Will assist the Marshalling Manager in ensuring that all teams are ready to load into boats at the correct time to maintain smooth running of the races.
• Crowd Control: Will ensure one-way flow traffic from the Marshalling Area after boats are unloaded.

If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, a really cool shirt, and community service hours (if applicable) so please complete this Volunteer Form to join our team! To get more info or ask any questions, feel free to send us an email at volunteers@gwnevents.com.

Check out past event results.

2025

2024

2023