5 REASONS TO CHECK OUT THE TIM HORTONS OTTAWA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

1. CHALLENGE CUPS: CELEBRATE COMMUNITY THROUGH COMPETITION: The heart of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival beats through its Challenge Cups — thrilling races that celebrate diversity, community spirit, and shared purpose. These signature races offer organizations, cultural groups, and athletes of all backgrounds a chance to connect and compete:

NEW! Tim Hortons Coffee Cup – A spirited, family-focused division for friends and family teams. Formerly known as the Friends & Family Challenge Cup, this race brings together extended families in a joyful display of teamwork and togetherness.

Sue Holloway Cup – Honoring Olympic medalist Sue Holloway, this cup features elite-level competitive sport teams who are registered with Dragon Boat Canada.

Breast Cancer Paddlers Challenge Cup – Dedicated to celebrating breast cancer survivors.

All Cancer Paddlers Challenge Cup – Open to cancer survivors of all genders and ages.

Pride Challenge Cup – Canada's first dragon boat race for 2SLGBTQ+ athletes and allies.

Para Challenge Cup – Featuring teams of para-athletes, highlighting accessibility and determination.

NEW! Panda Cup – Presented by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, this cup celebrates Chinese cultural heritage and the spirit of unity, cooperation, and friendship. The competitive division includes paddlers from Ottawa’s Chinese-Canadian community and diplomatic corps.

Corporate and community divisions also join the action — from high-tech firms and hospitals to embassies, first responders, and government groups. With 25 divisions and over 5,000 athletes, the festival isn’t just a competition — it’s a vibrant showcase of Ottawa’s rich cultural mosaic and community pride. Register your team today and get ready to make waves!

2. SITTING ON A DOCK BY THE BAY (MOONEY’S BAY THAT IS): This year’s festival brings exciting new additions, including brand-new beach docks that bring everyone even closer to the action! This is your opportunity to make a splash this summer. Imagine this: The sun is shining, Mooney’s Bay is buzzing with excitement, and thousands of paddlers are launching from the docks, ready to race. The energy is electric, the competition is fierce, and the memories being made? Absolutely unforgettable. And you could be at the heart of it all. Whether you are a competitive or community athlete, a valued volunteer, a part of the Dragon Boat Booster Club or a cherished sponsor. The docks at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival are where the journey begins. On the docks, you’ll have a unique experience right where the action happens! Whether it’s a team high-fiving before they hit the water, a moment of calm before the race, or the thrill of victory as paddlers return—the docks are where memories are made. So whether you’re launching your boat for a race or lounging on the beach with the sand between your toes, you’ll be surrounded by the energy of competition and community. All from a front-row seat to the festival’s high-stakes races and an unbeatable location for soaking in the summer sun!

3. GIVING BACK WITH THE 2025 ODBF PLEDGE CHALLENGE: The Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF) is proud to announce the recipient charities for the 2025 ODBF Pledge Challenge. This annual summer campaign raises funds for local charities providing essential programs and services to thousands of people in Ottawa. In 2025, ODBF is supporting five partner charities, plus additional funding for two emerging initiatives serving Ottawa’s most vulnerable communities.

2025 ODBF Pledge Challenge Recipients:

Bruyère Health Foundation
Matthew House Ottawa
Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa
Tim Hortons Foundation Camps
Youth Services Bureau
Unbroken Recovery One Rep at a Time
Bereaved Families of Ontario (Ottawa Chapter)

These organizations embody resilience and compassion, and ODBF is proud to amplify their impact as they serve our most vulnerable neighbours.

Fundraisers and donors can support of these essential causes, showing how together we can make a difference! Donate doday at ODBF.ca.

4. THE ODBF 5050 RAFFLE: Get ready, Ottawa! Don’t miss the ODBF 5050 raffle, where you can support your community and win big. In partnership with the Senators Community Foundation and proudly supported by Tim Hortons, every ticket contributes to local charities and gives you a shot at a growing jackpot.

The grand prize draw happens during the Closing Awards Ceremony — 6 PM, Sunday, June 22nd at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

Buy your tickets at 5050sens.com beginning June 12, 2025!

5. SOAK UP THE SUN & SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF SUMMER: It’s the first big splash of the season—and you’re invited! The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival paddles into Mooney’s Bay on June 20, launching summer in the most unforgettable way. Picture this: golden sunshine dancing on the water, excited crowds cheering from the shore, the rhythmic beat of racing drums in the distance—and the irresistible scent of barbecue, sweet pastries, and fresh coffee floating on the breeze.

Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or just dipping your toes in the shallows with a frozen drink in hand. The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a place where friendships are forged, laughter echoes across the sand, and every moment feels like a memory in the making.

And the food…the fantastic festival food has everything from the comforting warmth of a fresh BeaverTail dusted in cinnamon sugar, to the first icy sip of a Pineapple Dragon Fruit Frozen Quencher from Tim Hortons, every bite and sip is part of the experience. Whether you're craving comfort classics or something daring and new, you’ll find a world of flavor waiting at the waterfront.

Here’s just a taste of what’s cooking:

Tim Hortons – As title sponsor and Official Coffee of the festival, Tim’s will be fueling attendees with their beloved coffee keeping everyone caffeinated all day long and they’ll be showcasing their new Frozen Quenchers in tropical flavors like Orange Tangerine and Pineapple Dragon Fruit—perfect for cooling off between races.

BeaverTails – A Canadian favourite, serving up hand-stretched pastries topped with everything from cinnamon sugar to chocolate hazelnut.

Elza’s Gourmet – Their famous fried halloumi cheese is a crispy, melty, salty delight—just the thing for a mid-day bite!

As grills sizzle and the smells of summer drift through the air, grab a plate, gather your friends, and find your perfect picnic spot on the beach. Kick back, dig in, and take in the sounds of splashing paddles, cheering crowds, and summertime joy. Whether you're here for the races, or the mouthwatering eats, there’s no better way to start the summer season.

So mark your calendars, rally your crew, and get ready to dive into a festival where summer begins with sun, flavor, and fun. The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is calling—are you in?