Kingston Harbour came alive with energy, colour, and competition over the weekend as the Inaugural Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival made its debut in Port Royal, marking the official introduction of the sport to the island. The two-day event, held at the Grande Hotel Excelsior, drew large crowds and fierce international competition, culminating in an exciting finale where the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard and the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) teams were declared joint winners of the main race.

Both teams crossed the finish line in 1:04.257, while the Chinese Embassy team, cheered on by an animated audience from the hotel’s dock and viewing gallery, finished just behind in 1:05.660.

Johnny Wong, captain of the CBA team, expressed his pride in the historic moment. “We hosted it. First time ever in Jamaica—history—and I think we did very well. Next year we’re going to do it even better. We are very happy that we even joined the win.”

JDF team captain Tiran Maxwell echoed the sentiment, highlighting their preparation and team spirit. “We’re excited that we were invited to be a part of the first-ever competition. We prepared on Saturdays and Sundays over by Port Royal. We had a team plan, we had a goal, and we delivered. I’m very proud of my team.”

In addition to the main competition, Jamaica was crowned Caribbean Dragon Boat Race Champion, finishing ahead of the Bahamas and the invitational Team Misfits, which included athletes from Canada, the USA, China, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The festival featured 11 teams from twelve countries, each composed of at least twelve members—ten paddlers, a drummer, and a captain steering the dragon-themed boats. Teams came from across the globe, including China, Germany, the Philippines, Russia, Spain, Suriname, Tajikistan, the USA, and the host nation, Jamaica. Local teams such as UWI Confucius, Mckay Security, CHEC Construction, Purity Bakery, General Foods, and Hydra also showcased their skills and enthusiasm.

Even after the main events concluded, curious members of the public continued to flock to the venue, many eager to try dragon boating for themselves. Four boatloads of first-time participants took to the water following a short orientation session—one of them being Allan Beckford, General Manager of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).

“I must congratulate the organizers of the Dragon Boat Festival today. Wonderful event—so wonderful that they actually invited newcomers to do it, and I was one who had that opportunity,” Beckford said. “It shows this is a sport for everybody, and the tourism potential is fantastic.”

Race Director Kerry Chow, a Canadian certified by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), praised the enthusiasm of both competitors and spectators. “It’s been amazing—the amount of people enthusiastic about a sport they’ve never seen. The local people came down, raced, brought their families... it was amazing.”

Chow also applauded the Jamaican teams’ performance. “JDF and CBA are new to the sport, but they were right there with more experienced teams. It was amazing watching them compete. But beyond the racing, the handshakes, the hugs, the friendships—it was truly special.”

Dalton Yap, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and President of the Jamaica Dragon Boat Federation, was visibly moved by the festival’s success. “It was thrilling, it was exhilarating. The races were fun, very competitive, and I’m happy the competition came to such an exciting end. Jamaicans, thank you for turning out in droves. It shows you have a passion and understanding for the sport.”

During Saturday’s opening ceremony, Yap was officially presented with Jamaica’s certificate of membership into the IDBF by Pan-American Federation President Franco Sui Chong—marking a milestone 15 years in the making.

“You’re introducing an international sport that will soon be in the Olympics,” Sui Chong said. “Dragon boating is the ultimate sport tourism product. One day, I hope Jamaica will host the Pan-American Dragon Boat Championships, bringing over 2,500 people—or even the international championships with 8,000 athletes. Could you imagine what that would do for the Jamaican economy?”

The festival’s opening was attended by dignitaries including Custos of Kingston Steadman Fuller, Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith representing the Prime Minister, Chinese Ambassador Chen Daojiang, and CBA President Vincent Chang. All praised the festival’s successful launch and the tremendous support from the Jamaican public.

With its blend of sport, culture, and community, the inaugural Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival has paddled its way into the island’s sporting future—leaving behind excitement, unity, and a strong foundation for years to come.