How do turns work in 2000 m dragon boat races?
A · Advanced · Long races and discipline · 1 of 4The 2000 m race runs anti-clockwise round a circuit of two 450 m straights and two turns, buoys on the left. A boat that has its bow level with the other's steering oar at the 50 m buoy wins the inside line through the turn. Cutting inside turn buoys costs time, and missing four or more is a disqualification.
How it works
- Course: a circuit of two straights of about 450 m and two turns.
- Direction: anti-clockwise; turn buoys on the left.
- Lane: at least 10 m wide on the straights.
- Overlap: the overtaking bow level with the other's steering oar at the 50 m buoy.
- Inside line: the boat with the overlap gets it; the other must give room.
- Missed buoys: 1 is 5 seconds, 2 total 15, 3 total 30, 4 or more disqualification.
- Last 450 m: any line; pass on either side with clear water.
- Time deduction bonus: up to 20 seconds for a crew obstructed.
The glossary has the turn rules, the right of way at a turn, the last 450 m, the turn course (long races), the time deduction bonus and the staggered and mass starts.
Tricky cases
A boat touches a turn buoy. Penalty?
No, unless it gained a material advantage; turning inside a buoy is what is penalised.
A boat without an overlap tries to force the inside. What happens?
It must not; failing to give room costs an automatic 20 seconds.
A boat goes wide outside the turn corridor. Does it keep its rights?
No. Rights won at the 50 m buoy are lost outside the corridor.
A crew is held up by another. Can it get time back?
Yes. The chief official may award a time deduction bonus of up to 20 seconds.
Why the rule exists
The overlap rule settles who has the inside line before boats reach the turn. Graded buoy penalties punish shortcuts in proportion to the distance saved.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Straights | Pass on the left, unless room on the right | RR 10.5 |
| Turns | Overlap at the 50 m buoy | RR 10.5.2 |
| Last 450 m | Any line, either side | RR 10.6 |
From the rule book
IDBF, Rules of Racing (Part 2 of the Competition Regulations and Rules of Racing, Edition 9.0, 2025), rules 7.10, 7.11 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IDBF Competition Regulations and Rules of Racing.