Come Compete and Cheer!

After a great success, we are bringing back the dragon boat races for MENDELU employees! Join us as we start at 10 AM. We look forward to your participation—don’t forget to bring plenty of energy and team spirit!

Program

10:00 AM – Arrival at the venue
10:30 AM – Opening, information about dragon boats, safety instructions
11:00 AM – Race runs (including practice heats)
1:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Free time at sports stations, optional dragon boat ride toward Veveří Castle
5:00 PM – Planned event conclusion

Form Your Own Crew

Each team consists of 21 members: 20 paddlers + 1 drummer. The minimum crew size is 17 members. All participants must be university employees (from faculties, ICV, the rectorate, university-wide departments, or university enterprises) with any type of employment contract. Teams must be mixed, meaning at least five women and five men per team. Each person can only be part of one team. The team captain is responsible for registration, which is open from March 1 to April 20. To register, the captain must provide a complete list of team members. There is no limit on the total number of teams.

Crew Composition Rule

The dragon boat crew consists of 21 members and must compete in all race runs with the same lineup as in the first heat. Team members cannot be changed during the race, except in cases of injury, where a substitution will be allowed.

The race will take place at Brno Reservoir, starting at Český Veslařský Klub Brno (see map). At the beginning of the event, participants will be introduced to paddling techniques and the history of dragon boat racing. Each team will have up to three runs: a practice run, a competition heat, and a final (A or B final). The racecourse is expected to be 150 meters long, but the exact schedule will depend on the weather and the number of registered teams.

Due to venue capacity, the event is not open to family members.

Practice Sessions

Before the main race on May 20, teams will have the opportunity to practice paddling in a dragon boat. Practice sessions will take place on the Svratka River at the VUT Boathouse in Jundrov, with each team allowed a maximum of two training sessions. We highly recommend attending both sessions, but at least one is required.

You can find the training schedule here: [link to schedule]. Team captains must book a training slot at least one week in advance. Ideally, the entire crew should attend, but at least 14 paddlers and a drummer are required. An experienced steersperson/coach will be available during practice. The boathouse provides changing rooms and storage facilities.