What are the classes in dragon boat racing?
I · Intermediate · Crews and boats · 1 of 4The main classes are open, women's and mixed, with junior, senior, under-24, para dragon and cancer paddler classes besides. Competitors must be at least 12 in the year of competition. A mixed standard crew has 8 to 10 paddlers of each sex, so the split can be no worse than 10 to 8. The drummer and steerer may be either sex.
How it works
- Open: no restriction on make-up; age 12 or over.
- Women's: all female.
- Mixed, standard boat: 8 to 10 men and 8 to 10 women paddling.
- Mixed, small boat: 4 or 5 of each.
- Junior: 18, 16 and 14 and under.
- Senior: A from 40, B from 50, C from 60.
- Para dragons: every paddler, or half, with a recognised impairment.
- Cancer paddlers: breast cancer (BCP) and all cancers (ACP) crews.
The glossary has the open, women's and mixed classes, the junior classes, the senior classes, the para dragons, the cancer paddler crews and the premier division.
Tricky cases
Can a mixed crew race with 11 men and 9 women?
No. Each side must have between 8 and 10 paddlers.
Must the drummer of a women's crew be a woman?
In the women's class, all crew must be female; only the mixed class lets the drummer and steerer be either sex.
Can a 45-year-old race in Senior B?
No. Senior B is for those turning 50 or older in the year.
Can a junior crew's steerer be under 12?
The rules make an exception for junior steerers.
Why the rule exists
Classes let crews of different ages and make-ups race fairly. Setting a range for mixed crews stops one sex dominating a mixed boat.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed standard boat | 8 to 10 of each | CR 2.1.3 |
| Senior classes | From 40, 50 and 60 | CR 2.1.5 |
| BCP division | May include male BCP members | CR 2.1.2 |
From the rule book
IDBF, Competition Regulations (Part 1, Edition 9.0, 2025), regulations 2.1 to 2.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IDBF Competition Regulations and Rules of Racing.