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The Thrilling Race on the Suyeong River in the Hot Summer! Busan Metropolitan City to Host the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the 13th Korea Open Busan International Dragon Boat Festival and the 16th Busan Mayor’s Cup Dragon Boat Festival will be held over five days, from August 28 (Thursday) to September 1 (Monday), at the APEC Naru Park on the Suyeong River.
The event is hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and organized by the Korea Sea Cadet Corps Busan Federation.

Dragon boating is a unique water leisure sport in which a team of 12 to 20 members rows vigorously in sync with the beat of a drummer, propelling the boat swiftly across the water. Decorated with dragon heads and tails, dragon boats were officially adopted as a competitive sport at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and since then, the sport has gained worldwide popularity.
The paddlers row to build speed, while the drummer at the bow beats a drum to lift spirits and regulate the pace. As such, it is a dynamic race where harmony and teamwork among crew members are paramount. It is also recognized as a non-motorized, eco-friendly water sport.

The official races will take place on August 29 (Friday) and August 30 (Saturday), with approximately 850 participants competing on the Suyeong River. The Korea Open Busan International Dragon Boat Festival will feature 22 teams with 550 participants from 12 countries, including the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Races will be divided into 12-person and 22-person teams, over 200-meter and 300-meter distances, in open, women’s, and mixed categories.

The Busan Mayor’s Cup Dragon Boat Festival will draw 300 participants from nationwide dragon boat clubs, competing in 12-person, 300-meter races across general, mixed, and youth open categories.

The opening ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 29 (Friday) at the central stage of the APEC Naru Park on the Suyeong River. Athletes and distinguished guests will participate, with official declarations, the eye-dotting ceremony for the dragon boats, and other traditional events marking the festival’s official launch.

Additionally, throughout the festival, free citizen participation programs such as bracelet-making and instant photo printing will be offered.

[Opening Ceremony Overview]

• ●Date: August 29, 2025 (Friday), 11:00–11:30

• ●Venue: Central Stage, APEC Naru Park, Suyeong River

• ●Attendance: Approximately 650 people, including distinguished guests, federation and association representatives, and athletes

• ●Organizer: Korea Sea Cadet Corps Busan Federation

Kim Hyun-jae, Director General of Tourism & MICE Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This festival is expected to strengthen the unity of domestic and international participants and to further elevate Busan’s reputation as a global marine leisure and tourism city. We ask for the active participation and support of citizens so that this international dragon boat festival will yield successful outcomes and create new opportunities in global tourism.”