• EXCITING

    No previous experience necessary

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    Suitable for all adult ages

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    Do whatever it takes ...

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    So close ...

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    Having GREAT Fun!

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    Does your team have what it takes, to

    Race The Dragon?

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Now past COVID, we are looking at the possibility of organising another Chester dragon boat challenge event in 2024 2025 (see update below).  This however is dependent on getting the 16+ teams needed for the event to be viable, with team entries (up to 17 team members per team) projected to be around £575 per team.   

 

In order for us to gauge interest, please could you complete the form below if you think you your company / organisation might be interested in participating in a 2025 event?


UPDATE ... UPDATE ... UPDATE


Owing to major utility works at Sandy Lane where we hold the event, which could extend into Mar 2025, a dragon boat challenge in 2024 is not possible. 

  • What the event is planned to entail

    Teams will race in dragon boats provided by our dragon boat event's supplier.  Along with all the boats, paddles and buoyancy aids for all competitors whilst on the water will also be provided.  Each boat will also have a helms person provided by the dragon boat company, who will steer your team's boat (teams are NOT expected to steer their own boat).


    The day is expected to start around 10:00 and finish around 16:30 - 17:30 depending on final numbers.


    A dragon boat team is made up of between eleven to seventeen team members (the odd number being the team drummer, whose job it is to beat the big drum so that the team can all paddle in time and together). ​ 

    Before each team's first race, everyone will be given a full safety briefing and also instruction on the technique used. Over the course of the event, teams will compete in three timed qualifying heats, where your single fastest time only will count for Grand Final qualification. (So one or two disasters during the qualifying heats no problem, as long as out of your three heats, you get at least one good time).


    Team work is vital if a fast time is going to be achieved and for this reason, the instructors will also give further 'on the water' training to help with technique. Over the distance we race (200 meters), fitness is not a key factor - technique however is because it's a team sprint where team work and timing is everything.  


    What you will be aiming to achieve is an opportunity to compete in the last race of the event ... the Grand Final. This will be a race where all the dragon boats that can be safely raced together will race one last time and first across the finish line will be declared: Dragon Boat Champions of Chester.


    The event will finish with our award ceremony where team trophies will be awarded to the Captain's of the top three teams and Winner's Medals to each member of the winning team.  

  • Charity Partner

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completing this form does not commit you to entering this event

We regret that recent cost pressures have made the organisation of this wonderful event unviable, resulting in future Chester Dragon Boat Festivals to be postponed until further notice.


The event organisers would like to thank all the teams, charities and companies who since 2004, have helped to raise so much for charity and made the Chester Dragon Boat Festival such a great event. 


Pictures of all the teams and past champions from previous events will remain available via the links above.


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