Several hundred people will take to the water this Sunday 9th May as the fifth East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) returns to Oulton Broad at Nicholas Everitt Park in Lowestoft. More than 30 crews will race the thirty foot brightly painted Chinese dragon boats three at a time over a 200m course alongside Nicholas Everitt Park, watched by several thousand spectators.

Crews representing businesses and organisations from all over East Anglia (see attached list) will be taking to the water to ‘race the dragon’ in an effort to win the coveted Festival trophy. Festival media partner, BBC Suffolk, will be one of the crews dipping their toes in the water for the first time this year with presenters, Rob Dunger, Mark Murphy, Lesley Dolphin and Steph Mack all swapping microphones for paddles! Trophies will be presented by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices to the top three crews, the team that raises the most money for EACH, the best placed mixed crew and the ‘best dressed’ crew.

There is a fantastic incentive this year which should encourage the teams to raise even more money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices as the crew that raises the most will be awarded use of the gym and spa plus lunch at the Marriott Sprowston Manor in Norwich.

Carl Brooks, Corporate Fundraiser for EACH comments: “The majority of EACH’s costs are not for specialist equipment but for delivering the specialist one-to-one nursing care and support so vital to local children and their families. Such intensive, personal care does not come cheap so fundraising and the goodwill of the public are therefore vital. That is why we are delighted to be the Dragon Boat Festival’s official charity once again and that so many teams have signed up to take part”.

Carol Lester, Director of Festival organisers, Gable Events added “After the fantastic weather we had last year, we are expecting another large audience to come on the day to soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the teams. We have received great support this year from BBC Suffolk, The Lowestoft Journal and Waveney District Council and we are sure that the teams and spectators alike will enjoy a superb day out this Sunday”.

As well as races every 10 minutes throughout the day between 10am and 4pm, there will be plenty of family entertainment on the bank including an inflatable climbing wall, rodeo bull, human demolition and fun fair rides. In keeping with the Chinese history of dragon boat racing, the Wing Chun Kung Fu group will be performing a colourful lion dance at 12 noon and 2pm and students from the Lowestoft based Venue of Performing Arts will be performing three shows during the day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain there will also be a Flypast at around lunchtime from a Dakota of the Memorial Flight.

You can also find out more about the work of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and meet the presenters and crew from BBC Suffolk. The Everitt Park café will be serving a wide range of food and refreshments and mobile caterers will be bringing a hog roast, crepes, coffee, smoothies, wraps and toasted sandwiches. Satalight Photography will be capturing all the memorable moments and making them available for purchase on the day.

Entrance to the Festival is free to spectators and there is plenty of parking available off Marsh Road (which will be clearly signposted), courtesy of Broadview Caravan Site with all proceeds going to EACH. ‘Pay and display’ parking is also available at Nicholas Everitt Park.

For more information on the Dragon Boat Festival contact Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit the Festival website at www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia.

Teams: