Ads
Description
- When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Races est. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Family activities & entertainment 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Olympic Village / 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC
- Cost: Free to attend as a spectator; team registration fees range from $250–$1,300 depending on race and division
- Hosted by: Dragon Boat BC
The Oddball Fall Classic closes out the dragon boat season on False Creek with a full day of sprint races on Olympic Village's waterfront, capped by the Oddball 2K Challenge — one of Canada's biggest dragon boat races. Beyond the racing, the event includes free live music, cultural presentations, and family activities all day at Milton Wong Plaza.
Racing Divisions & Fees (2026)
| Race | Adult Teams | Senior/BCS/All Access | 24U Teams | Junior Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Division (3 x 200M) | $1,300 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $800 |
| Women's Division (3 x 200M) | $1,300 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $800 |
| Mixed Oddball 2K Challenge (1 x 2,000M) | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Women's Oddball 2K Challenge (1 x 2,000M) | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Open Cup (1 x 200M) | $250 | $250 | $250 | $250 |
Roster caps are 26 paddlers per team (30 for Junior Division), with up to 30 racers allowed on rosters in 2026, though only 26 medals will be awarded to medalling teams. Full terms, refund policy, and registration are available at register.dragonboatbc.ca.
Free Entertainment & Family Activities
Running 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at Milton Wong Plaza North, near the seawall and Canoe Bridge, the day includes free live local music, cultural presentations, and family arts and crafts, plus casual challenges like chess and jump rope for teams to enjoy between races. Programming is presented with support from the BC Arts Council and Government of British Columbia, with the full 2026 lineup to be announced.
On-Site Amenities
- Race Registrar: Seawall by Creekside Community Centre
- Washrooms: Near Canoe Bridge
- Water: Fountain on Athletes Way by Tap and Barrel
- First Aid: Attendant on the docks; AED and first aid kits on docks and inside Creekside Community Centre
- Food Trucks: Milton Wong Plaza, between North and South Plaza by Athletes Way
- Vendors: Milton Wong Plaza North
- Results Board: East of Canoe Bridge along the Seawall
- Team Photo Wall: Along the Seawall by the bike lane — open to all teams after their last race
Getting There
Due to seawall closures this year, all event activity has shifted into Milton Wong Plaza. No-parking zones are in effect along Athletes Way (Ontario to Salt), the east side of Manitoba, and the west side of Columbia, with a bike lane slow-down zone in front of Creekside Community Centre. Racer drop-off is available on Athletes Way (north side, in front of Creekside Community Centre) and along Hinge Park North on Columbia (strict 2-minute limit). Parking is available under Creekside Community Centre, Urban Fare, and London Drugs.
Key Deadlines
- Team Registration / Name Change Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026
- E-Waiver/Roster Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Mandatory Steers/Administrator Briefing: ~8:00 AM near Marshalling on race day (separate briefing for Oddball 2K Challenge teams ~30 minutes before their first race)
Plan Your Visit
- Event: Oddball Fall Classic
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Time: Races est. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; family activities 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Location: Olympic Village / 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC
- Admission: Free for spectators; team race fees vary
- Website: dragonboatbc.ca/competition/fallclassic
Dragon boat sprints, a 2K challenge race, and a full day of free live music and family activities at Milton Wong Plaza — the Oddball Fall Classic sends off the season on False Creek with something for racers and spectators alike.