HR checklist: planning a corporate dragon boat event
About three months is enough to plan a corporate dragon boat event. The critical step is registering early: places at Bursa Dragon Cup are limited. Registration for 2027 is open and the festival is on 5 June 2027.
· 6 min read
Three months out
- Agree the budget and number of crews.
- Pick a package: half day or full day.
- Send an enquiry, get the quote and lock the place with a contract and deposit.
- Name an owner, usually a team captain from HR or internal comms.
Budget lines
- The entry package (practice, racing, awards)
- Race shirts with your logo
- Food and drink
- Transport to the lake
- Team tent and cheering kit
- Photo and video (drone footage comes with the full-day package)
Announcing it to staff
Say clearly that no experience is needed. The biggest barrier to sign-ups is "I'm not sporty". When asking for volunteers, mention the different roles: paddler, drummer, reserve and the cheering squad on the shore. Everyone finds a place.
Consents and paperwork
- A health declaration from every participant
- Explicit consent for photo and video use (KVKK)
- Roster and shirt sizes
- An emergency contact for race day
On the day
Get the crew to the ground early. Check-in, the safety briefing and warm-up take time. Your team tent is the meeting point all day. Race times are shown on screens and announced.
Common mistakes
- Leaving registration to the last minute. Places fill up.
- Not naming reserves. One absence can keep the crew off the water.
- Only picking the sporty people. The point is that anyone can take part.
- Forgetting the shore crew. A cheering squad brings in staff who don't paddle.
- Asking for photo consent on the day. Collect explicit consent beforehand.