Rotary Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Raise money for your team’s chosen charity & Rotary selected projects. An opportunity for everyone to have a great day out.
WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT RACING?
Dragon Boat Racing has become a popular water sport in Britain. It caters for all ages in one crew, male and female, mixed abilities and people with disabilities. It requires no previous experience and above all it’s great fun. A Dragon Boat is similar to a long canoe, which requires a crew of 17 including a drummer to participate in each race. The sport organisers provide all the boats, instruction, paddles, buoyancy aids and safety systems.
TEAMS REQUIRED
Each team is asked to provide a crew of 17 including a drummer to participate in each race (must be a minimum crew of 13). All team members should be able to swim 50 yards in light clothing and the minimum age is 16. There will be a series of heats over a course of approximately 200 metres.
Each team will race in at least three heats and the fastest six teams will then go through to the semi-finals and finals.
SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES
There will be a professional Race Commentator on the day. Teams are encouraged to enter into the spirit of the Festival by wearing fancy dress or team hats & T shirts. Prizes will be awarded for the best fancy dress. It is strongly recommended that teams bring along their own gazebos, barbecues, food and drinks. The day will conclude with a prize giving ceremony.
RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY
Teams will be raising money for their nominated charity and Rotary selected causes on a 50/50 basis unless otherwise agreed.Rotary Dragon Boat Festival 2026
AWARDS
Prizes will be awarded to:
1 The winning teams
2 The best fancy dress teams
3 The team that raises the most sponsorship money
4 The individual who raises the most sponsorship money
5 All individuals who personally raise over £250 in sponsorship
BOOKING FORM AND ENTRY COSTS
To reserve your team’s place please complete the booking online entry form available at:
www.peoplesfundraising.com/campaign/rotary-bristol-dragon-boat-festival-2026
As we can only race 36 teams in a day, registration will be on a first come first served basis.
The entrance fee of £550, which is good value for a day’s fun and Team Building, is due to be paid by 30th April 2026. This covers event running costs. Any surplus from the event will be donated to Rotary selected charitable projects.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available, for example sponsoring one of the Dragon Boats, the final or a complete sponsorship package for the whole event.
LOCATION
Baltic Wharf, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG - close to the Cottage Inn.
DATE AND TIME
Sunday 28th June 2026. The first race will start at 10.00 a.m. 36 teams racing would be a full day with the final at around 5.00 p.m.
ANY QUESTIONS
Should be directed to: derrick.rotary@outlook.com Tel 07747 125924
Event website: www.bristolrotarydragons.org