Dragon Boat Race Shopping List

A dragon boat race needs more than boats and paddles. You also need safety equipment, race markers, reliable communication, weather protection, power and a practical setup for teams and spectators. This shopping list helps you check the items that are easy to overlook, such as spare paddles, waterproof storage, cable reels and lighting. Plan quantities around the number of boats, teams and people attending, then confirm what your venue or boat provider already supplies before buying or hiring anything.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Dragon boatsqty 4
Backup boat
Paddlesqty 48
Spare paddlesqty 8
Life jacketsqty 60
Life ringsqty 6
Competition buoysqty 24
Mooring linesqty 8
Start flagsqty 4
Finish flag
Stopwatchesqty 4
Whistlesqty 8
Waterproof walkie-talkiesqty 8
Waterproof storage binsqty 6

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Beer tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Registration desk
Stage sectionsqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cable reelsqty 3
Power generator

Lighting

LED construction lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8

Decorations

Team flagsqty 12
Bannersqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 60
Medal ribbonsqty 60
Winner's cupsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Food warmersqty 4
Gas burnersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2

Cleaning

Trash bagsqty 80
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Dish brushesqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Foldable mopsqty 3
Paper towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Beer - 96 cans
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Buns - 150 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Green salad - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 8 kilograms
- Vegetarian skewers - 4 kilogram
- Hamburgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 140 pieces
- Hot dogs - 100 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 110 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Fried onions - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa sauce - 8 jars
- Party nuts - 6 kilogram
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Ice lollies - 100 pieces
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Cooking oil - 2 liters
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Bread bags - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pieces

Tips

Plan one life jacket for every person who may board a boat, plus a few extras in mixed sizes. Keep life rings and a backup boat immediately accessible rather than packed away with general supplies.
Prepare a complete spare set of race essentials: spare paddles, stopwatches, whistles and waterproof walkie-talkies. A missing or damaged item should not delay the next heat.
Treat power as a separate shopping check. Count every speaker, mixer, microphone and light, then add enough extension cords, power strips and cable reels to reach them safely; arrange a generator if the venue cannot confirm suitable power.
Bring waterproof storage bins for registration papers, team and boat lists, radios and small race equipment. One clearly labelled bin per function is faster to manage than loose items on tables.
Provide enough sheltered and seated space for registration, briefings and breaks. Party tents, beer tables, folding chairs and waste bins are often arranged too late, especially when rain or strong sun is forecast.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a dragon boat race?: At minimum, plan life jackets for every person on the water, life rings, a safety boat and a backup boat. Keep first-aid supplies and safety communication equipment ready before the first team launches, and check local requirements with the water manager.
How many paddles do I need for a dragon boat race?: Count the paddlers assigned to each boat and add at least one spare paddle per boat. Keep additional spare paddles at the launch area so a broken or dropped paddle does not stop a heat.
What power equipment is needed at a dragon boat race?: List the power needs for the speakers, mixer, microphone, LED construction lights and string lights before arranging cables. Have extension cords, power strips and cable reels available, and confirm venue power at least one week before the event; use a generator if capacity is uncertain.
How early should I prepare the dragon boat race shopping list?: Create the list at least two to four weeks before race day, once the boat count, team numbers and venue setup are known. Confirm hired equipment and delivery times one week before, then chill drinks and gather consumables on the day before or event morning.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.