Since 1995, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), the world governing body for dragon boat racing, organizes the biennial World Nations Dragon Boat Racing Championships (WDBRC).

In between world championship years, IDBF Club Crew World Championships (CCWC) are held for the world's top club-based crews.

In 2005 the IDBF introduced a Corporate and Community World Championships (WCorcom) designed for crews that normally race in Festival Races and aimed at the 'weekend warrior' type of competitor and not the elite International standard or serious Club Crew competitor.

In 2006 under the patronage of the IDBF, the 1st World Championships for Breast Cancer Survivors - the 'Pink Paddlers' were held in Singapore. The 2nd BCS World Championships was held in Miami, Florida, USA in July 2009, in conjunction with the World Corcom Championships

The 2006 CCWC took place at the Western Beaches Watercourse, just off scenic Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto's west end. Spectators and dragon boat fans from across North America - and the world - came out to spend the day on Toronto's beautiful waterfront and cheer on their favorite Dragon Boat crews.