The 2025 Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 and is sponsored by the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (LCKC).
The challenge involves 10-person (plus drummer) dragon boats provided by Lake Lanier Olympic Park. Teams will compete for various titles including:
- Best Dressed Drummer
- Adrian Williams Most Team Spirit Award
- The Scott Crain Memorial Overall Champion Award
- Medals in the top three divisions
The Challenge runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A special exhibition race will be held with competitors from the local Hall County Special Olympic Kayak team. The event primarily benefits Hall County Special Olympics.
Organizers say the event is perfect for small business teams, corporate teams, church groups, and neighborhood teams. For entry fee details plus practice schedules and more visit www.exploregainesville.org/event/gainesville-hall-dragon-boat-challenge-lckc. LCKC offers both serious and recreational dragon boat programs and is a feeder program for the National Dragon Boat team.
The Gainesville/Hall Dragon Boat Challenge is the first of two Dragon Boat events scheduled for Lake Lanier Olympic Park. One of the largest such races in the country – Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival – is set for September 6. Last year’s big festival drew 75 teams and over 10,000 attendees from states as far away as California and Massachusetts.
