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Making a splash! The Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival is back – bigger and better than ever. Why not make this the year you take part? B ringing home a trophy from the annual Dragon Boat Festival is not about strength – it’s about Research Hospital, set to be built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus by 2029. Sponsors Illumina return for the
Visit dragonboatevents.co.uk/cambridge- dragon-boat-festival , call 01536 674748; or email corporatepartnerships@ act4addenbrookes.org.uk paddle the boats upriver, with a drummer at the front beating time and a helm at the back. Races start around 10am, with a prize ceremony at the end of the day. Alongside the races, there will be bankside entertainment with food vans and a bar, guaranteeing a fun-filled family day out. It’s the unpredictable element on the day that makes the event such fun for competitors and spectators alike. “Some of the strongest crews can be knocked out in the heats if they aren’t working together to paddle down the course, so it’s very common for novice crews to take home the winner’s trophy on the day – as long as they have the determination and team spirit to carry them through,” Lucy adds. Competing teams of ten to 15 people
teamwork! This may come as a surprise to anyone who’s been down to the River Cam in Fen Ditton to watch the army of teams as they race their 30ft boats up the river. The trick to winning is not necessarily about skill or stamina, but mostly down to how you work as a team. Now in its 19th year, the festival is hosted by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and organised by NewWave Events. Money raised during the event will go towards the new Cambridge Cancer
second year running, and in addition to providing spectator activities in the marquee, they’ve entered three teams for the event, supported by Cambridge Radio, who will be reporting live on the day. “The 2024 event was a fantastic day with an amazing atmosphere,” says Natasha Robertson, corporate partnerships manager at ACT. “The event raised a staggering £37,000, with 41 teams competing and having fun on the Cam. “This year, ACT marks its 30th birthday, so we want to make sure we celebrate big and make the Dragon Boat Festival the biggest and best yet. By taking part, teams will help ACT to change the story of cancer – which is certainly something to celebrate together.” Thrills and spills “The Dragon Boat Festival offers such a unique opportunity for both seasoned and new teams to experience the thrill of racing,” says Lucy Morton, executive director at NewWave Events. “All the equipment you need and guidance are provided, making the event accessible for everyone to take part.”
OAR DEAL The festival – rooted in Chinese superstition – dates back over 2,000 years
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