Big dragon boat festival in Schwerin: Champions celebrated at the Pfaffenteich

Big dragon boat festival in Schwerin: Champions celebrated at the Pfaffenteich

On August 24, 2025, Schwerin was once again dominated by the Dragon Boat Festival. The celebratory award ceremony for the 32nd Dragon Boat Festival took place on the picturesque southern bank of the Pfaffenteich. With around 100 teams representing around 2,500 active participants from home and abroad, the event was a true highlight of the water sports season. The organizers estimated the number of visitors at around 35,000, who enjoyed the festival to the fullest despite the changeable weather. Nordkurier reports that the trophies were presented by Michael Nowack and Chris Richter, both members of the canoe racing community (KRG).

The strong field of participants ensured exciting races in which the winners of the various categories were determined:

• ABC Team (Champions-Klasse Mixed)
• PommFritz (Sportklasse Mixed)
• Wannsea Dragons (Open)
• HKC 21 – United Women (Frauen)
• T&T Pumps (Business Races)

The ABC team was particularly happy about the challenge cup, which was awarded for their outstanding performance. During the competition there were exciting head-to-head races, with the teams Vengaboot and de Zuariner from Schwerin taking 5th and 6th place in the mixed champions class.

A very special experience

The atmosphere at Pfaffenteich was simply fantastic. Many Schwerin residents and guests heated up the atmosphere, so that the festival was more than just a sporting event - it became a festival of joy. The audience was able to witness not only the artistic achievements of the dragon boats, but also a great celebration with parties and an impressive fireworks display that lit up the sky on Saturday evening. DJ Christage provided the appropriate musical accompaniment and got the crowd dancing.

Aside from the races, there were various street closures in the city center to make the event safe. The area from the south bank to Wismarschen Straße was closed until Sunday evening, which caused mixed feelings among residents. But the diversions for city buses and the possibility for residents to park across zones made the situation a little more bearable.

Dragon boat sport in Schwerin

The dragon boat sport has a long tradition and celebrated its first highlight in Germany in 1989. In Schwerin, the event has developed into an annual highlight that not only inspires the participants, but also the spectators. The dragon boats, with their characteristic design and unforgettable symbolism, not only captivate racing enthusiasts. The design of the boats, which are characterized, for example, by the head of an ox and the mane of a horse, represents the cultural depth of the dragon boat sport.

Overall, the organizers proved that they have a good knack for holding such events. Thanks to the great organization and the tireless support of around 100 volunteers, it was possible to face challenges such as the only false start in the last race with a smile. A clear expression of community and enthusiasm for dragon boating in Schwerin, which continues to be very popular.

Come back next year when the next Dragon Boat Festival takes place in Schwerin! There will be an announcement soon for further information and dates to ensure the anticipation for the next event continues to grow. [NDR].

Take a look into the history of dragon boat racing and experience the fascination that these ancient traditions bring with them. Schwerin MV impressively describes the development and connection between tradition and modern competitive sport.