The spectacular East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival is fast approaching and latest entrant, ScottishPower Renewables can’t wait to take their place on the start line. 

The Festival, sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels, takes place at Oulton Broad in Lowestoft on Saturday 11^th August and the ScottishPower crew will be joining more than 20 teams from across the region for the eagerly anticipated annual event. 

Phil Duffield, Head of CSR, Corporate Communications, explains why they have entered a team, “We have heard so much about the vibrancy and popularity of the dragon boat festival and were keen to be a part of an event that brings local people together and creates a real sense of community spirit. As the home of our East Anglia ONE windfarm will be Lowestoft, taking part in the dragon boat challenge is a perfect opportunity to further engage with the community, who have been so welcoming to us since we began working in the region.”

Phil’s team will bring together ScottishPower Renewables staff working on East Anglia ONE with their contractors for a day which he anticipates will be full of team spirit and comradery. As well as forging important bonds which can be taken back to the workplace, the team will be supporting the valuable work of their nominated charity, the Lowestoft RNLI. Phil continues, “As a lot of our work involves travelling offshore we are more than aware of the dangers of the sea and the importance of the work carried out by the Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat. They are a perfect charity for us to support.” Sponsorship raised by the crew will supplement the £750 donation from the company’s Gold entry. 

The teams entered to date represent a variety of different industries from all corners of East Anglia and the inter-company rivalry is building! East Anglia ONE Wind Farm, Norfolk Drywall, Associated British Ports and Lings Motor Group have all opted for the enhanced Gold and Silver entries whilst the standard entrants include Anglian Demolition, Aquaterra Energy, Continental Product Engineering, GCB Recruitment, Grosvenor Casino, Jarrolds, Lovewell Blake, Musker McIntyre Estate Agents, Tippers ‘R’ Us and a second crew from ABP as well as the crews from Gunton Hall and Corton Coastal Resorts representing 2018 Festival sponsor, Warner Leisure Hotels. Specialising in UK short activity breaks for adults, the Warner Leisure teams will be fundraising for their partner charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. To take part in the dragon boat racing, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm. Medals and trophies are up for grabs for the top three crews, top mixed crew, ‘best dressed’ crew and charity champions. 

As well as the dragon boat racing, teams and spectators will be able to enjoy a variety of bankside entertainment including a funfair, inflatables, food stalls and bar. 

To make sure your team is on the start line on Saturday 11^th August please call Gable Events on 01780 470 718 or visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia