All set for the big race
The KM Charity Team’s first dragon boat race was a spectacular success with more than £30,000 raised for Kent charities.
Sixteen teams, many of them in fancy dress, took part in a series of races at the Arethusa Water Sports Centre, Medway cheered on by a crowd of 500.
Cllr Phil Filmer from Medway Council joined Queen Boudicca from event sponsor Iceni, the mineral water company, to officially start the event by painting the eyes on the dragon figurehead on one of the longboats.
The ceremony is supposed to waken the dragon spirits and give competitors extra determination to win.
As well as a range of fancy dress outfits a splash of colour and culture was added by two dancing lions operated by members of Medway Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association.
Teams of competitors came from the four corners of the county but it was a team from the Royal Engineers based in Medway who took top honours winning both the Medway final and Kent final. (picture left) Lunsford Primary School from Maidstone won the Maidstone final and came third in the county showdown.
Kingsnorth Paddle Steamers from Kingsnorth power station won the trophy for the highest fundraiser, pledging £3500 for MacMillan.
Event organizer Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said the day was a fantastic success and would be staged next year on July 4 (2010). He said: “In future years this annual event will always be held on the first Sunday of July. All the event team are so pleased this has helped good causes and charities in Kent to raise vital funds.”
As well as Arethusa Water Sports Centre a number of other organizations provided practical support to help stage the event including Maidstone based Mercy Ambulance Service, Holdfast, MidKentCollege’s Frontliners and Hyde Housing Association.
To view photos from the event click the Event Photos link on the top left navigation panel.
Team times
- 1 RSME 1:07:11
- The A-T Team 1:20:39
- The Hyde Heroes 1:23:58
- Holdfast 1:13:07
- West Hill Warriors 1:28:11
- All Saints CEP School 1:30:51
- Ace Team 1:17:38
- Lunsford Primary School 1:13:40
- CPC (Kent) Cerebral Palsy Care 1:25:21
- Kingsnorth Paddle Steamers 1:14:17
- Bactec International Ltd 1:26:34
- Row the Difference 1:26:40
- Ifield School 1:24:87
- Bexleyheath Dipsticks 1:15:51
- Greenacre School 1:20:35
- The Pilgrims School 1:27:57
Finals
Maidstone Final
- Hyde Heroes 1:26:14
- Lunsford 1:15:13
Medway Final
- 1 RSME 1:01:97
- Holdfast 1:11:75
- Kingsnorth 1:11:01
Grand final
- 1 RSME 1:07:11
- Holdfast 1:13:07
- Lunsford 1:13:40