Bourne Water Dragons Are Heading to Barcelona

We’re incredibly excited to share that our team will be representing Bournemouth at the 7th Barcelona International Dragon Boat Fest, taking place from 22 to 24 May at the Canal Olímpic de Catalunya in Castelldefels, just outside Barcelona. It’s one of Europe’s leading dragon boat events, bringing together nearly 1,000 paddlers, 38 teams, 15 nationalities, and an amazing community spirit that stretches far beyond the races themselves.

For us at Bourne Water Dragons, this isn’t just a competition, but a celebration of resilience, teamwork and the joy of being out on the water together.

Who We Are

Based in Iford, Bournemouth, and paddling on the beautiful River Stour, our team brings together people who have experienced cancer; men and women of different ages, backgrounds and abilities, all united by a shared love of movement, community and support.

We recently celebrated our seventh anniversary, and our crew includes paddlers in their 60s, 70s and even into their 80s. Some of our members are still undergoing treatment, while others live with mobility challenges, yet all bring incredible determination and heart to every session.

Dragon boating has become a powerful way for many of us to rebuild confidence, regain strength and find connection after cancer. It’s more than a sport, it’s a lifeline, a community and a reminder that we’re stronger together.

Why Barcelona Matters to Us

Travelling to Barcelona gives us the chance to paddle alongside teams from around the world, including 20 breast cancer survivor (BCS) teams. It’s an opportunity to share stories, learn from others and celebrate the global dragon boat community that supports people affected by cancer.

The festival also includes Paddle Against Cancer, a public event on 24 May that raises awareness and brings dragon boating closer to the community through music, activities, food and open sessions. We’re proud to be part of something that blends sport with social impact.

And of course, competing at an Olympic venue adds an extra layer of excitement for all of us.

A Little Fun Before the Big Trip

If you’ve spotted the images in our gallery, you might notice they look a little sunny and Spanish. Before heading off to Barcelona, we had some fun using AI to imagine what our team might look like paddling in Catalonia. Just a playful way to get into the spirit of the trip and visualise the adventure ahead. They’re not real photos (yet!), but they capture our excitement perfectly.

As we prepare to travel to Castelldefels, we’re filled with immence gratitude for our teammates, our supporters, our families and everyone who cheers us on from the riverbank. Representing Bournemouth on an international stage is an honour, and we can’t wait to bring that energy back home to the River Stour.