The Welland Heritage Council & Multicultural Centre and the Rotary Club of Welland, both non-profit organizations. celebrates community with its 12th annual Dragon Boat Festival on the Welland International Flatwater Centre North Course. Corporate and community teams made up of 20 paddlers, one drummer and a steersperson race in a friendly competition of 500 metre. Open to competitive and non-competitive participants, it also serves as an opportunity to qualify for the Dragon Boat Canada Crew event which takes place in August. This event draws approximately 600 people. A Craft Show will take place on the Saturday and the public is encouraged come out to enjoy a day at the Recreational Waterway.
Germany nearly won it all on the water after losing so much off of it. Only a 3-2 loss to Great Britain in the men's under-21 final prevented Germany from sweeping all four divisions at the 2018 International Canoe Federation Canoe Polo World Championships in Welland.