Objective
Paddle for Pink is the flagship event of the Machestic Dragons, New Jersey’s first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team. This annual festival is more than a race, it’s a powerful community gathering that raises awareness and funds for the team and local breast cancer survivor organization to help them fund important in our community, providing free services to patients and survivors. Join us in celebrating life, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of those affected by breast cancer.
Event Overview
Our race events aim to:
Raise awareness and funds for breast cancer support programs.
Provide a platform for breast cancer survivors to showcase strength and resilience.
Foster community engagement through team participation and volunteerism.
Racing Division and Class Guidelines
To promote good sportsmanship and fairness, please follow these guidelines when forming and registering teams.
Racing Divisions
- Community/Corporate Teams – Women and Open
- For novice crews with little or no racing experience.
- Includes corporate, commercial, business, community organizations (Fire, Police, EMS, schools, gyms) and Friends/Family groups.
- Typically non-club teams that race only one festival per year.
- Teams that are not true community/corporate teams will be moved to the Club Team division.
- Club Teams – Women and Open
- For experienced paddlers.
- Members typically belong to a dragon boat club or organization.
- Have regular access to boats and equipment.
- Usually practice more than the single festival practice provided
- Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) Club
- Separate division, not a class.
- All paddlers must be breast cancer survivors (female or male).
- Drummer and steer may be non-BCS.
- Defined by the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission as “a person diagnosed with breast cancer”
Racing Classes
- Open Class
- No gender restrictions.
- Women’s Class
- All paddlers must be female.
- Mixed Class
- Maximum of 10 male paddlers.
Race Format
Club/BCS – Women & Mixed
- Two 200 meter races.
- Two 500 meter races.
- Winners determined by fastest cumulative time
Corporate/Community – Women & Open
- Three 200 meter races.
- Winners determined by fastest time in the final 3rd race
2000 Meter Race
- Final race of the day.
- Open only to the top 8 Club/BCS qualifiers
Team Registration Rates for Paddle for Pink (PFP)
Club/BCS Teams
- Early Registration: $1100 (Jan 5 – March 15).
- Regular Registration: $1350 (March 15 – May 31).
- 2000M Race Entry: $200*
Corporate Teams
- Early Registration: $1800 (Jan 5 – March 15).
- Regular Registration: $2000 (March 15 – May 31)
Community Teams
- Early Registration: $1350 (Jan 5 – March 15)
Regular Registration: $1500 (March 15 – May 31)
More Information About the 2000-Meter Race
- Eligibility
- BCS and Club teams may choose to compete in the 2000-meter race for an additional $200 fee.
- Open to Women’s and Mixed teams.
- Limited to the top eight teams based on cumulative fastest times from the 200-meter and 500-meter races.
- A Unique and Exciting Challenge
- Many paddlers may feel intimidated if they’ve never raced this distance before, but once they try it, most describe it as the most exciting race of the day.
- Staggered Start Format
- The race begins with a staggered start.
- The slowest qualifying team starts first.
- Each following team begins with a 10-second running start based on their earlier race results.
- This format causes boats to naturally close in on one another, creating an exciting chase dynamic.
- Course Layout
- The 2000-meter race requires boats to paddle two full circuits around the outside of the course.
- This includes six turns, offering opportunities for passing and strategic steering.
- Final results are based on each boat’s individual start and finish times.
- Purpose of the Entry Fee
The $200 fee helps cover the cost of medals and contributes additional support to the charities we proudly partner with.
About Event
Since its inception in 2007, Paddle for Pink has grown from a modest gathering of 12 teams to a vibrant festival hosting up to 50 teams from several states. The event features exhilarating dragon boat races, a large silent auction, live entertainment, vendors, and contests. A highlight of the day is the “Flowers on the Water” ceremony, where breast cancer teams unite on the lake to honor those touched by the disease, symbolized by pink carnations gently placed on the water’s surface.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Off Paxon Avenue, Look for road side banner
- Time: 8am to 4pm
- Schedule: Parking opens at 6am, Races start at 8 am
Full day of dragon boat races, silent auction, live entertainment, food trucks, and the “Flowers on the Water” ceremony.
The festival brings together over 1,000 paddlers, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and spectators, making it a favorite among dragon boat teams and the community alike.
Together We Support These Life-Changing Organizations
Registration Process
How to Register a Team:
Visit our Registration Page.
Complete the online registration form with team details.
Submit the required registration fee.
Ensure all team members complete the online waiver.
Registration Fees & Deadlines:
Fees vary based on team type and size; please refer to the registration page for current rates.
Early registration is encouraged to secure your spot; deadlines are typically set a few weeks before the event date.
What’s Included:
Participation in the race event.
Access to team practice sessions (for community/corporate teams).
Paddle for pink - Captain´s Guide
Team Captain Responsibilities:
Complete team registration and ensure payment is processed.
Organize and manage team roster; ensure all waivers are signed.
Coordinate team logistics, including practice sessions and race-day preparations.
Attend the Captain’s Meeting on race day for essential updates.
Distribute wristbands and information to team members.
Be Part of the Pink Power
Be a part of this inspiring event:
Form a team and race for a cause.
Lend your time and skills to support event operations.
Contribute to local breast cancer programs.
Every paddle stroke, volunteer hour, and donation makes a difference. Join us in making Paddle for Pink 2025 a memorable and impactful event.
Silent Auction Preview
Food Trucks
Entertainment
Crazy Uncle
Crazy Uncle is a band that plays Classic Rock, Motown, and an eclectic blend of Dance and Popular Music from the 70’s to now!
Crazy Uncle is comprised of six great friends who have played together for over ten years. The band consists of two lead singers: Michael Nardi, & Jan Campbell, a lead guitarist, Steve Gifford, Pianist Gary Gilbert, Bassist Andrew Myers, and drummer, Michael Krass.
Crazy Uncle is proud to be able to donate their time to play for worthy causes, especially one as meaningful as Paddle for Pink.
You can find out more about Crazy Uncle and hear song samples and see more pictures, and learn about the players at www.crazyuncle.us.
Calling all volunteers! Recruit your friends and family!
We’re excited to invite you to volunteer at the Machestic Dragons 17th Annual Dragon Boat Festival, Paddle for Pink, happening Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Mercer County Park Lake in West Windsor, NJ.
This high-energy, feel-good community event brings together nearly 50 teams racing in honor and support of breast cancer survivors, and we could not do it without our amazing volunteers.
Volunteers are the heart of this event. Opportunities include parking assistance, event setup and breakdown, dock support, wristband checks, merchandise sales, and more. Whether you can help for a few hours, half a day, or the full day, we are grateful for your time. All volunteers will receive clear instructions and support before race day.
Volunteers ages 12 and up are welcome (dock helpers must be 16+). It is a fantastic experience for individuals, families, student groups, scouts, church groups, and teams. Community service certificates are available for students upon request.
We are collecting volunteer sign-ups now, with final assignments sent out in late May.
If you would love to be part of a meaningful, joyful, and unforgettable day, please click the link below to complete the volunteer registration form.
We would love to have you on the team.
