Water Course
The Houston Dragon Boat Festival is held at Elk Lake in Hermann Park, one of the largest dragon boat events in Texas. Draws competitive paddling teams and cultural festival-goers from across the Gulf Coast region.
Dragon BoatHermann ParkTexas ChampionshipCompetitive RacingCultural Festival
Watch: Houston Dragon Boat Festival
Know Before You Go
- Race schedule
- Powerboat venues typically host race weekends 3-8 times per season under APBA, OPC, or local sanction. Check the calendar — most weeks are open practice or quiet.
- Spectator access
- Shore-line viewing from a beach or pier is the standard vantage. Bring polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and a chair — boat racing is a sunny stand-around sport.
- Class variety
- Look for tunnel boats, hydroplanes, jet boats, and offshore depending on water size. Race speeds range from 60 mph (small inland) to 180+ mph (offshore unlimited).