River Tyne Dragon Boat Race set for dramatic weekend return
A colourful spectacle makes a return to the Tyne this weekend with the sight of dragon boats, accompanied by drumming, in action.
NE1’s Newcastle Dragon Boat Race will be back on Saturday and those taking part - many of them from local businesses - will be raising money for charity as they compete for the title of Dragon Boat Race Champions 2024. The annual event, which first took place in 2019, always draws big crowds to Newcastle quayside and this year the day of carnival-style entertainment will include games, challenges, face-painting and Chinese crafts.
Dragon Boat racing is a Chinese tradition which involves paddling a long wooden boat, featuring decorative dragon heads and tails, to the rhythmic beat of a drum which is said to be the dragon's heartbeat. The drummer sits at the front of the canoe, at the head of the dragon and facing the paddlers, and sets the rowing beat for the race which is all about synchronised movements.
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Each boat will hold a team of 16 paddlers and a drummer who will cover - at speed - a 250-metre-long course between the Millennium Bridge and Tyne Bridge, for a chance to win medals and the champion title. In the run-up to Saturday's race, there also will be a corporate Dragon Boat day on Friday, making, in all, 43 teams competing over two days, in support of the Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
On Saturday 25 teams, with more than 400 contestants, will take part in the main event and the action will again get under way with a Chinese lion dance, involving bells and drums, performed by the Newcastle Kung Fu Club. A warm-up with trainers will follow in front of Quayside Garden then the first boats will take to the water at 10am.
With 16 paddlers in each team sitting in pairs, over the day there will be three heats in each race, featuring up to three boats, to set fastest times. The six fastest boats will then go head to head in a grand final at the end of the day then at a 4pm closing ceremony there will be the presentation of gold, silver and bronze medals and the crowning of the winners of the NE1 Dragon Boat Race Champions 2024.
There also will be charity collections at the race. Rachel Barlow, head of marketing and events at NE1 said: “We are lining up to host the biggest-ever Newcastle Dragon Boat Race.
"We expect to shatter records and have fun on the quayside and the water. The event will provide hours of fun with activities on dry land for spectators and prize-winning games and fun, all in aid of Newcastle Hospitals charity."
She called it "a fabulous day out for the whole family" and encourages as many people as possible to go and cheer on the racers and enjoy the event in support of a worthy local cause.