|
Dragon Boat Index A Typical Day Origin & History Funds Raised Video |
Annual
Charity
Dragon Boat Challenge
The Event
Introduction
Since 2001 the Dragon Boat event has been part of the very popular Pangbourne Village Fete. The Meadow is a beautiful spot, so many visitors make a day of it. Some like picnicking, but most relish the varieties of foods and drinks and other delights and delicacies that are on offer from stalls within the Fete. The Fete is normally held in June each year and in 2001 the Fete Committee readily welcomed the suggestion of the dragon boat event, since it extended the Fete’s very wide scope from the many riverbank attractions and events right on to the river itself. Its first year success meant that it has run in subsequent years ever since. Pangbourne Rotary combines with Henley Dragon Boat Club who supply the very necessary expertise and dragon boats. They operate at international and Olympic level. Regular visitors to the Fete now expect to watch the river racing and join in the excitement that the dragon boats provide. This is definitely a really fun day. Ask the teams who return to take part each year! These include both companies and private teams. All are welcome. What Happens In a typical race three crews, each of sixteen people, take part. Each is led by their drummer beating out the racing rhythm on the big tom-tom while they paddle their dragon boat along a course of about 250 metres, racing against the other two boats. Of course, for each team we provide a qualified helmsman who steers the boat to the finish line. This is not as easy as it looks! We also supply everything the crews need such as boats, paddles and buoyancy jackets.
For more information please click on the
links on the left of this page. These will tell you a little
about the origin and history of dragon boating and a typical day at our
event. There is a sample race schedule and more details of the
money raised and the charities that have benefited. See the
4 minute video clip of a typical day. Raising Money
for Charity
Accepting
all the fun, the Rotary Club of Pangbourne’s main purpose is
charitable fund-raising. Each year we raise funds for nominated
charities. The funds come from the entry donations received
from the participating crews and individuals.
For example, in 2007 our chosen charities were Breast
Cancer Campaign, Duchess of Kent House Hospice and
many
smaller local needs. However, the
event also raises additional funds by teams seeking sponsorship for
their own nominated causes.
In 2007 the net total raised for Charity was £15,000.
Since 2001 the event has raised some £46,500 for charities and good causes. |
