Race Infos

The Dragon Boat Race Solothurn is subdivided into three different categories. Two of those categories are in the Fun Class and one category is in the Elite Class:

The Fun Classes

• Fun Mixed: These teams must contain 8 female paddlers and 8 male paddlers. The gender of the drummer is not predefined and has no influence on the composition rule.
• Fun Open: The team configuration is free. 

The Fun Classes are limited to 16 paddlers including a maximum of 2 professional paddlers per team.

The Elite Class

• Elite Mixed: The teams in the Elite Class must also contain the same number of female and male paddlers. They are limited to 20 paddlers. The drummer counts extra.

If there are too few entries for any one category, categories may be merged.

I. Miscellaneous

How do I register?

To hand in your application for participation in the Dragon Boat Race Solothurn, fill in our online registration form on the website. After sending off the form, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail with your registration data. Whether you and your team are part of the race or not depends on the time of your application entry. First come, first serve! You will be informed about your status within 48 hours. If you managed to get hold of one of the popular starting slots, you can complete your registration by transferring the starting fee.
You can also obtain further registration-related information by calling our Dragon Boat Race hotline on +41 43 810 73 13 or by sending an e-mail to welcome_at_drachenbootsolothurn.ch

When is the closing date for registrations?

As in our experience interest is extensive, there is no official closing date for registrations. There is a limited number of participants per race, and places will be issued on a first come, first serve basis.

What happens if the weather is bad? 

The races are also held in bad weather. Dragon boating is an outdoor sport. If conditions are stormy, or if safety is compromised by the weather conditions, the starting time will be rescheduled and the number of heats to be raced will be reduced as required.
 

What are the starting fees?  

Participation in the Dragon Boat Race costs 400 Swiss francs for the whole team. 

What do I pay as a spectator?

Entry as a spectator is free of charge. We hope that you will cheer yourselves hoarse in support of the teams racing in the Dragon Boat Race Solothurn. DJ's, marquees and bars will be standing by to get you in the mood.

What catering facilities are available on site? 

Catering facilities will be available. We make every effort to ensure that you are able to eat healthy, fresh and high-quality food. We look forward to welcoming you at the bar or in the marquee. Due to security reason, it is not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks and grills to the festival area.

II. Schedule

What does the schedule look like?

You may check out our schedule under Race Infos. The pre-runs of all categories take place on Saturday from 9 AM - 5:30 PM, finals are held at 6 PM. The definite race schedules will be made available to the team captains at least a week before the race. We will update all informations on training and racing schedules on a regular basis: 

Informations, race schedule.

III. Training sessions

Where and when do the training sessions take place? 

With the accreditation for Solothurn all teamcaptains can provide a wished date and time for the training session in the week before the race. 
Information on the training session dates and the types of training available are sent to team captains by e-mail.

Are the training sessions obligatory? 

The training sessions are obligatory for new teams. Every team is entitled to a training session lasting one hour. For trained teams we recommend the training sessions.

IV. The regulations

How many people does one dragon boat team consist of?

Each dragon boat fun team is made up of max. 16 paddlers, a drummer and a helmsman, who we place at your disposal. 
A max. of 20 paddlers are permitted for the Elite Mixed category.

How long is the race distance?

The race distance is 200 metres. In our experience a team can cover the distance in less than 1 minute.

How many teams make it to the finals? 

That depends on the number of participants in the respective category. Three teams can reach the Grand Final in the three-boat races.

Is there a prize for inventiveness?

The jury will award a prize for inventiveness to the team with the most original entry (outfits, battle cry...). So give your imagination free rein and remember just one condition: your outfits cannot compromise safety.

Any other questions?

If you have any question in relation to the Dragon Boat Race which has not yet been answered, please contact us at: welcome_at_drachenbootsolothurn.ch or via the dragon boat race hotline on +41 43 810 73 13

1. Race

§1.  A team consists of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 paddlers plus a drummer. In the Fun categories it is a maximum of 16 female and male paddlers.

§2.  The dragon boat race is held in two Fun categories and in one Elite category.

Fun categories:

• Fun Mixed (There must be the same amount of female and male paddlers. The drummer does not count as a paddler).
• Fun Open (Any number of male and/or female team members).

Maximum allowance of active athletes per fun team is two. If the number of registrations in one category is insufficient, categories may be merged.

Elite

• Elite Mixed (There must be the same amount of female and male paddlers. The drummer does not count as a paddler).

§3.  All teams that registered online and paid the entry fee are allowed to participate in the race.

§4.  If a regular registration is cancelled, there is no right of reimbursement of the entry fee.

§5.  Boats with helms and drums are provided by the promoter. All races in the Fun categories are held using the paddles provided by the promoter. The material is to be handled with care. Teams must compensate the promoter for any damage to the material caused by a willful act of gross negligence.

§6.  The promoter provides a helmsman to the Fun teams for the duration of their respective races. There is no entitlement to choose a helmsman. They are attributed to the boats at random.

§7.  Teams that do not show up in time for their starting time are being excluded from the race. A refund of the entry fee is expressly excluded.

§8.  In case of a capsize or an external impairment of single or all teams such as waves, collision, or flotsam, there is no right of repetition of the heat.

§9. The race management is entitled to issue time penalties or disqualifications of teams as a consequence of unsportsmanlike conduct or any violation of the race rules.

§10. Any protests have to be submitted in writing to the speaker or the promoter within 15 minutes after the respective heat. They have to be signed by ten (10) paddlers (first name, surname, and signature). There is a CHF 100.- charge for protests. The race management decides about the protest and required measures.  The protest fee will not be refunded.

2. Safety

§1.  The instructions of the organizers have to be followed under all conditions and at all times.

§2. All participants act at their own risk; competitors are responsible for their own insurance.

§3.  All participants of the Fun categories are obliged to wear life jackets during the races.

§4.  Boarding of and alighting from the boats is only allowed at the designated area. Gross misconduct while boarding, alighting or being on the boat by single participants may lead to time penalties or the disqualification of single paddlers or of the entire team.

3. Liability

§1.  By registering via their team captain, all team members waive all liability claims towards the promoter of the dragon boat race Solothurn, the security and the supporters, all sponsors, their representatives, agents or any successor body.

§2.  By registering, the team captain also confirms that all team members are physically fit to participate in this race and are able to swim at least 500 meters fully clothed.

§3.  Upon registration by the team captain, the promoters are fully entitled to the use of all image and sound recordings during and after the event. These recordings may be used commercially as well as for any other reasons without any restrictions.

§4.  The organizers shall accept no liability for lost or damaged goods or pieces of clothing belonging to the participants.

4. General

§1.  With his or her registration, every team captain undertakes to have informed every team member about the conditions of participation, the race regulations and the safety instructions and to have stressed their respective importance in a sufficient manner.

§2.  For reasons of environment and safety, no grills, no alcoholic beverage or sound systems are to be brought along to the race grounds. It is not recommended for animals to enter the festival site.    

§3.  In case of deregistration from the race before the start, there is no right to a refund.