Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force participated in this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, held on Saturday, 2 May 2026, and Sunday, 3 May 2026, at Goodman’s Bay Beach. The event brought together teams in a spirited display of teamwork, endurance, and competitive excellence.
The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival featuring competitive dragon boat racing, eating sticky rice dumplings (zongzi), and is a UNESCO-listed cultural event commemorating the poet Qu Yuan, highlighting health, loyalty, and protection against evil.
Throughout the weekend, RBDF marines demonstrated determination, discipline, and cohesion as they competed in several race categories, including the Open 500-meter, Mixed 500-meter, Open 200-meter, and Mixed 200-meter events. The Defence Force was represented by two teams, the RBDF Naval Destroyers and the RBDF Water Defenders, both of which showcased strong performances that embodied our core values.
Commander Defence Force, Commodore Floyd Moxey, was in attendance on Saturday, 2 May 2026, where he offered words of encouragement and support to the participating marines. His presence underscored the importance of morale, esprit de corps, unity, and physical fitness, as well as the Defence Force’s commitment to engaging in activities that strengthen teamwork and resilience.
Under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Floyd Moxey, the RBDF is optimizing excellence by bridging generations and embracing modernization. As such, we are committed to building unity, promoting morale, and engaging with the community as we Guard Our Heritage.
