11th East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival
Image attached of the dragon boat at Hotel Victoria with staff from Hotel Victoria, Gable Events, East Coast Hospice and Adrian Cousens from Grosvenor Casino

With just over a month to go until the 11th East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival takes place on Oulton Broad in Lowestoft on Sunday 14th May, local companies and organisations took advantage of a unique opportunity to see a full-size dragon boat and find out more about the event at an Open Day held at Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft last week.

The staff of Festival Organisers Gable Events and charity, East Coast Hospice were on hand to answer questions about the Festival and visitors were able to sit in the dragon boat, raise the paddles and beat the drum. Crew managers from entered teams also popped down during the day including Adrian Cousens from Grosvenor Casino in Great Yarmouth, who have entered the event for the second year running. Adrian is hoping that his team will improve on their results last year, “We came last in 2016 so are hoping for a bit better this time around. Paddling up to the start line our team were good and in time but once we got going, it all went to pot! Although the results of our three races weren’t great, we all had an excellent time and can’t wait to do it again and raise money for such a great cause.”

There’s still plenty of time to get a team together for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival and join the entrants so far that include Gold crew James Fisher Marine Services, Silver crews Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind, Mumfords of Southwold and Associated British Ports (two teams) and standard crews representing Netmatters, Corton Coastal Village, Southwood Hall, Grosvenor Casino, Progress Recruitment Solutions, Bourne Leisure-Gunton Hall, Lovewell Blake, Aquaterra Energy Ltd, Lovell Partnerships, Scantech Offshore and East Coast Hospice.

The Hotel Victoria was the ideal location to host the Open Day as they have donated a prize meal for the top fundraisers at the Dragon Boat Festival and some of the hotel’s staff took advantage of the photo opportunity to jump into the boat and beat the drum!

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help ‘Raise the Roof’ of East Coast Hospice, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm! The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. The Festival promises a fantastic day for competitors and spectators alike with street entertainment, funfair rides, inflatable activities and even a flypast by a Battle of Britain Spitfire! There will also be plenty of food and drink for all the family on the bankside at Oulton Broad.

For further information about the Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday 14th May please visit

www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia

or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718.

To find out more about the services of East Coast Hospice call 01493 718707 or visit www.eastcoasthospice.org.uk

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