PDX Water Dragons

06/09/2026

Final race of 2026

06/09/2026

Sorry for not posting anything about Sunday’s races. I will include that information below.

The end of dragon boat season is always a mixed bag of emotions for me as a coach. It’s being excited to get time back and take care of things I have not given enough attention to, but it’s also full of sadness that I won’t be seeing my team every week. Each person on this team is so incredibly special to me, each in their own unique human way that makes them who they are, each with a strength that completes our team and makes the team who they are. I know I am better for having each of them in my life and I hope they know how much they contribute to the awesomeness of this team! I love each person.

This weekend the Water Dragons had 5 races. Out of those 5 races, they had FOUR 1st places finishes and one 2nd place finish. This was definitely a history making moment for the Water Dragons with FOUR 1st place finishes in a row! I have never seen that happen on this team and I think it speaks volumes of how much they wanted that gold medal. Even without the gold medal after coming in 2nd in the last race, I think it’s evident how strong of a team they are. The difference in time between the team that won 1st place and our 2nd place finish was 1.74 seconds. It was a close race. I know the team is grappling with the caterpillaring that took place during that final race. I know it’s not fun to look at that video but I want you to know that it’s an easy mistake to make when you are tired. That was a turn and burn race. We got off the water from one race and were right back out within an hour. This isn’t a lot of time to rest and recover and get mentally prepared for another race. I look at that video and see a bunch of tired paddlers still fighting for victory, still trying to rise above exhaustion. I know there was some disappointment, but I want you to know I am not disappointed in your performance at all and I don’t think you should be either…..I am impressed!!!!! I am blown away at what awesome and incredible athletes you are!!!! Blame and regret does a huge disservice to your victories of the weekend, your historic making placement and wins, and it gives us something to look forward to next year! This is next year goals! Right now I want each of you to celebrate this well earned victory and the many accomplishments of weekend!!! I’m very proud of you individually and as a team! Well done!!! We even had support and love sent all the way from the banks of Scotland! (We missed you friend and look forward to having you on the boat next year).

06/07/2026

Great first day of racing! Looking forward to tomorrow! Sleep well Water Dragons! First race at 11:10 am! Go Water Dragons!

06/07/2026

Race 2, was a bit chaotic! The lane 1 boat came right onto our boat and hit us. That wasn’t on my bingo card this year, but the team did a great job of paddling through it, staying focused and our tiller did an outstanding job keeping us on the right course after having to correct! I hope this doesn’t sour The Pace Makers decision to continue. We all start somewhere but their tiller definitely needs a bit more training. I wish them nothing but the best and am absolutely proud of my team and the way they conducted themselves today! Tomorrow is gonna be a fun day!!💕

06/06/2026

First place, first race of the day! Go water dragons!!!!

06/04/2026

Come see us!

🐉🌹 Race Weekend is Almost Here! 🌹🐉

The 2026 Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race returns to Tom McCall Waterfront Park on June 6-7, 2026, bringing together teams from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond for a weekend of speed, teamwork, culture, and competition on the Willamette River!

🚣 Racing begins at 8:00 AM each day and continues through the afternoon.

📲 Follow the action live at:
pksca.net/2026

This year we're excited to introduce:

🏁 Live Race Results – follow heats and results throughout the weekend
👥 Team Profile Pages – learn more about the paddlers, teams, and organizations competing this year
📸 Community highlights, photos, and race updates all weekend long

Don't forget to use when posting your race weekend photos and videos. Tag us or invite us as a collaborator—we'd love to share your content with the dragon boat community!

Whether you're racing, volunteering, cheering from shore, or discovering dragon boat for the first time, we can't wait to see you at the Bowl for an incredible weekend on the waterfront.

🐉 See you at the races!

06/04/2026

Paddles are in!!!!

09/12/2025

We need more parties to verify….

Friday funny 😄