The DBS Marina Regatta is returning for the third time at the Marina Bay on May 17 and 18, with close to 2,000 taking part this year.

The event is widely-considered the premier dragon boat event in the region, and with a prize purse of $195,000, is the highest for the sport in Asia. The 22-crew DBS International Premier Open category awards $20,000 to the champions.

A total of 11 international teams including national teams from Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand, will compete this year. There will also be more teams taking part in the corporate categories, with companies like Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche making their debuts.

This year's event will include activities on the sidelines that include an Asian Drum Challenge, the Asian Cosplay Meet, and the Asian Food Festival.

Said DBS Bank Singapore Country Head Sim S. Lim: "In addition to exhilarating dragon boat races, we have lined up a host of exciting activities for the entire family, to bring the Bay alive. Also, as people become more active online, we will be launching a mobile game and a 'selfies for good' campaign."

Added Dr Lam Pin Min, president of the Singapore Dragon Boat Association: "The DBS Marina Regatta's dragon boat races have become a regular fixture in many dragon boaters' calendar, and the number and quality of seasoned dragon boaters participating yet again this year bears testament to that."

Admission to the two-day water sports festival is free. For more information, visit www.dbsmarinaregatta.com.