Ridgefield's Dragon Boat Season Is Back — and Your Paddle Awaits
The boats are hitting the water on April 17th, and you're invited to be part of it. No experience, no gear, no excuses — just show up to the Ridgefield Boat Launch and grab a paddle.
There is something quietly wonderful about the fact that on any given Friday evening from April through October, a group of Ridgefield neighbors loads into a traditional dragon boat and paddles together across Lake River. It is the kind of thing that sounds unusual until you do it once — and then you start clearing your Friday calendar.
The City of Ridgefield's Community Dragon Boat Program kicks off its 2026 season this Friday, April 17th, and it runs all the way through October 3rd. Every Friday at 5:30 PM, the boats go out. Starting in June, Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM are added to the schedule, giving you even more chances to get on the water.
What to Expect When You Show Up
You don't need to know anything about dragon boating to come out. The program is genuinely beginner-friendly — equipment is provided, and the community paddle format means you're getting on the water with other people who probably had the same "I've never done this" thought not long ago. Paddlers must be 14 or older, and that's really the only requirement.
The boats themselves have a good Ridgefield story. They were originally part of the Portland Rose Festival fleet and came to the city after more than two decades of use. Local volunteers — including the Ridgefield Art Association and the Ridgefield Lion's Club — put serious time into restoring and repainting them. The Port of Ridgefield and Joe Melroy figured out storage and a system for getting the heavy boats in and out of Lake River. These aren't rented boats from somewhere else. They're ours.
"Dragon boating is growing across the Pacific Northwest — and Ridgefield has been quietly doing it right since 2023."
The People Behind It
This program doesn't run itself. Lee Knottnerus, Deputy City Manager for Ridgefield, serves as Program Director — she's been shepherding the dragon boat program since its 2023 launch. Gail Alexander runs the Community Paddle Program day-to-day and is the reason the logistics actually work each week. If you see them at the launch, say thanks.
Why This Program Matters
The dragon boat program connects people to the waterfront in a way that's hard to replicate. It's free, it's accessible, it's genuinely fun, and it's rooted in a tradition that stretches back more than 2,500 years. The city has leaned into that history thoughtfully — including an Awakening Ceremony for the boats at the start of each season, honoring the cultural origins of the sport.
How to Sign Up
Registration is through Meetup, and spots do fill up. This isn't a case where you can assume there will always be room — especially for the first Friday of the season. A quick registration now means you're confirmed and on the list when April 17th arrives.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Wear clothes you don't mind getting a little wet — this is a boat.
- Arrive a few minutes before 5:30 PM so you have time to check in and get oriented.
- All paddling equipment is provided. You don't need to bring anything special.
- If you have a physical concern or question, the waiver and inquiry form are available on the city's Dragon Boats page.
- You can also sign up for special event paddles at Big Paddle Waterfront Festival and BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival later in the season.
Friday evenings on Lake River in spring — there are worse ways to spend them. The season runs through October, so even if April 17th doesn't work, you'll have plenty of Fridays ahead. But if you want to be there for the kickoff, now's the time.
If you've been on the fence about trying dragon boating, this is your sign. Show up on April 17th, grab a paddle, and become one of the people who knows what Friday evenings on Lake River feel like.
