Inlet Spring Regatta Returns to Rocky Point with a Focus on Youth Participation
Paddlers from the 2025 Inlet Spring Regatta (Photo: Joep Olthuis for NDPS)
The sound of drums, cheering paddlers and racing dragon boats will return to Rocky Point Park on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society hosts its 7th Inlet Spring Regatta. With 44 teams registered, the event promises a full day of high-energy racing and community celebration along the shores of Burrard Inlet.
Dragon boat racing continues to grow worldwide because of its welcoming and team-driven nature. “Dragon boating is inclusive,” says Brian Kenny, Regatta Director. “It’s the ultimate team sport—20 paddlers moving in unison to the beat of the drum at the front of the boat, guided by a steersperson keeping the boat straight down the race course.”
Founded in 1998, Nothin’ Dragon has evolved over nearly three decades while staying rooted in community. In 2022, the team became the Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society, strengthening its focus on outreach and participation. Today, the society offers dragon boat experiences for schools, businesses, and non-profit groups, along with a recreational paddle program for alumni paddlers who want to remain connected to the sport and the water.
“What’s remained most consistent is the sense of family,” says Kenny. “Our connection to the water and to each other is what keeps people coming back. Two of our founding members still paddle with us every Wednesday—after 28 years, that says everything about the spirit of this team.”
When the 55+ BC Games were taking place in 2016, the Inlet Spring Regatta was born from a conversation between Brian Kenny and former Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay, whose father helped found the Old Mill Boathouse Society and active water sport centre. They both recognized Rocky Point Park as an ideal venue for a community-centered dragon boat event. Since then, the regatta has drawn thousands of paddlers and spectators and has become a seasonal highlight for the Tri-Cities.
Idyllic location of Rocky Point, Port Moody (Photo: Jon Ross for NDPS)
The 2026 event places special emphasis on supporting youth in the sport, offering half-price registration for youth teams. While youth and adult teams will race together this year, the mix adds excitement and unpredictability to the competition.
Teams will again travel from across the region, including the returning Seattle Flying Dragons, joining local crews for a festival atmosphere featuring racing, music, food trucks, vendors, and a beer garden.
The Regatta is not only a competitive sporting event—it’s an invitation for businesses, families, athletes, and spectators to connect with the water, the park, and each other.
“The event would not be possible without our inlet neighbour, K+S Potash Canada,” said Martin McKeown, President, Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society. “Together, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for paddlers and spectators alike!”
Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society also thanks returning sponsor, Enhance Sport & Wellness who will once again be providing free mini-massages to the athletes in the Wellness Area.
Also supporting the event is CPKC, is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and Mexico; as well as Certispec, a Canadian-based organization recognized for its commitment to quality, safety, and professional certification services.
Race management is handled by the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society, the organization behind the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver and other race events across the Lower Mainland.
Race action from 2025 (Photo: Joep Olthuis for NDPS)
The Regatta is the first race event for 2026 in Canada and features thrilling 200m sprints, with teams racing head-to-head in heats of four boats. Each race lasts about a minute, but every second counts as paddlers push their limits in a test of teamwork, precision, and power. Teams will compete in either the mixed or women’s division, with the top three finishers earning a coveted “woodal”—a handcrafted wooden medal featuring a kingfisher, a bird of the Inlet, intricately carved by First Nations artist Glen Rabena.
Each BUK dragon boat seats 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson, with teams often bringing additional paddlers, coaches, and managers. With four guaranteed races per team, the day promises non-stop action and unforgettable moments on and off the water.
2026 paddlers (44 teams) are from Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Fort Langley, Half Moon Bay, Harrison Hot Springs, Langley, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Seattle, Sechelt, Vancouver and West Vancouver. Learn more about each team here.
The Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society wishes to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, Enhance Sport & Wellness, CERTISPEC, CPKC, Port Moody Legion #119, City of Port Moody, Rotary Club of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, Port Moody Men’s Shed, Inlet District Magazine, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, Oddball Apparel, Thrifty Foods, and the Old Mill Boathouse Society.
Nothin’ Dragon invites the community to come experience dragon boat racing, and celebrate the seventh year of the Inlet Spring Regatta at Rocky Point Park on April 25.
For more information go to www.inletspringregatta.com.
About Dragon Boating: Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Participants of all ages compete and enjoy the sport. Over 2,000,000 people around the world participate in dragon boat festivals or regattas. Dragon boats are 12 meters in length and are propelled by 20 paddlers guided by a steersperson and kept in rhythm by a drummer seated at the bow of the boat maintaining a steady and powerful pace for the duration of a 200-meter or 500-meter course.
About the venue: Known as the City of the Arts, Port Moody is located in Metro Vancouver at the east end of Burrard Inlet and is bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south, and Burnaby on the west. The area is well-known for its local breweries also within a short walking distance from the venue. Ample parking is available and SkyTrain stops at Moody Centre which is a 100 metre walk to the pier.
About Nothin' Dragon Paddling Society: Nothin' Dragon is a 50+ team formed in 1998 and is based in and around the Tri-Cities of B.C. The team supports local youth, community groups and offers dragon boat experiences. More information at www.nothindragonmasters.org.
About K+S Potash Canada: K+S Potash Canada is part of the K+S Group, a German-based company that has been mining and processing potash and salt for over 125 years. At its Bethune solution potash mine near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the company extracts crude potash salt, which is further processed into two types of potassium chloride (MOP) products. These products are used primarily as natural fertilizers for agriculture. Bethune is the first greenfield potash mine in the province in more than 40 years and enables K+S to produce high-quality potash for generations to come. Learn more at ks-potashcanada.com