Bahamas claim Caribbean Cup at Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival

The second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival concluded on a high note as thousands of spectators gathered along Kingston Harbour to witness two days of speed, teamwork, and international competition.

The June 13-14 event delivered an even bigger spectacle than its debut, featuring 54 races across the weekend as teams from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean battled for supremacy on the water.

With faster times, more races, and a lively atmosphere surrounding the Grand Excelsior Hotel in Port Royal, the festival showcased the rapid growth of dragon boat racing in Jamaica.

Bahamas capture Caribbean Cup after regional showdown

The biggest international battle of the weekend came in the Caribbean Cup race, where national teams from the Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica went head-to-head.

The Bahamas produced the strongest performance, powering through the 200-meter course in 1:06.24 minutes to secure the title.

Trinidad & Tobago finished second in 1:11.59 minutes, while Jamaica placed third with a time of 1:15.07 minutes.

Bahamas captain Patrick Kluck said the team arrived with one objective, victory.

“I think we did well. We did what we came to do and we wanted to win it and that's exactly what we did,” Kluck said.

“We felt good. Our times were good. The water was a little difficult but we're used to that kind of difficult water with the Bahamas too because we're in the ocean just like this, so it's not as controlled.”

Kluck also expressed his desire to see stronger regional participation in future events.

“We'll be back here again next year and we'd love to see more Jamaican teams coming up to the Bahamas for their festival as well. It would be great fun.”

Chinese Embassy team leads Jamaican challenge

The highest-ranked Jamaican team in the Open Category Division A was the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, which earned a bronze medal after recording 1:09.02 minutes.

The Chinese Embassy team, the highest ranked local team at the second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival which was held on June 13-14 at the Grand Excelsior Hotel in Port Royal.

They finished behind Bahamas’ BahaMar Buoys and Gulls, who posted 1:02.24 minutes, while Trinidad & Tobago’s Vanguards took second in 1:07.60 minutes.

Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Wang JinFeng praised the team’s achievement and the cultural connection created through the sport.

“I think this is the second time that the Chinese Embassy sends a Dragon Boat team to the Jamaican Dragon Boat Festival. I'm very glad that our team won the bronze medal,” Wang said.

“I think it's best that they created the best record in their performance. I'm very satisfied with my team and I'm even more glad that my team contributed to the friendship between China and Jamaica.”

He credited preparation and unity for their success.

“I think the teamwork is the most important. They trained very hard, three times every week. I think the teamwork made a great record and a great contribution.”

Competitive races highlight Jamaica’s strongest teams

The Mixed Category Division A title went to Trinidad & Tobago’s Vanguards, who completed their winning run in 1:09.72 minutes.

Last year’s joint overall winners, the JDF Wave Riders, finished second in 1:10.24 minutes, while McKay Security claimed third in 1:12.4 minutes.

Two dragon boats in keen competition during the second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival which was held on June 13-14 at the Grand Excelsior Hotel in Port Royal

The Women’s Category Division A final featured an all-Jamaican battle, with Hydra emerging victorious in 1:19.50 minutes.

Port Royal Blazers finished second at 1:20.6 minutes, followed by The Generals at 1:24.39 minutes.

The weekend’s fastest performance belonged to BahaMar Buoys and Gulls, who produced the only sub-one-minute times of the competition.

Their best effort came in the Open Race Knockout 7, where they clocked 58.07 seconds, followed by another impressive 58.95 seconds.

All races were contested over the 200-meter distance, with the Bahamian team demonstrating exceptional speed and coordination.

Organizers celebrate festival growth

Festival chairman Vincent Chang described the event as another major step forward for dragon boat racing in Jamaica.

“It was very good. I think everything cooperated, even the weather, a little bit hot, a little breezy but we got everything done,” Chang said.

“I thought we got a fairly good size crowd on Saturday and we had a steady crowd today (Sunday).”

He highlighted the increasing participation and development of the sport locally.

“Today we had 18 teams competing in three classes of races. So I think we have done wonderful and I think it's just showing that Dragon Boat is going from strength to strength and this is our second year.”

The event opened with the traditional Chinese “dotting of the eye” ceremony, an important cultural ritual performed before major activities.

The festival was supported by several sponsors, including Grand Hotel Excelsior, The Chinese Community of Jamaica, Lasco, Wisynco, NCB, ATL Automotive, National Bakery, Mayberry Investments, iPrint Ja, East ROC, and Afresh Supermarket.

A growing Caribbean sporting tradition

From the powerful rhythm of paddles hitting the water to the roar of supporters lining Kingston Harbour, the second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival proved that the sport continues to build momentum.

With international teams, cultural exchange, and increasingly competitive racing, the event has quickly become a highlight on Jamaica’s sporting calendar.

The future of dragon boat racing in the Caribbean appears to be moving at full speed.