Members of the Rotary Club of Kingston-upon-Thames couldn’t have asked for better conditions in the run up to their annual Dragon Boat event on the River Thames – an overcast morning with a slight breeze to keep the temperature down, followed by sun in the afternoon.
Rotarians and friends helped with setting up the Team Village which comprised 52 gazebos and the Rotary Registration and Information Shelter. Then the dragon boats, fair-ground rides and refreshment stalls arrived, along with around 30 stall holders and 800 competitors.
Teams entered the spirit of the occasion, dressing up in gaudy wigs and outfits, including men dressed as Spanish dancers. The fine weather brought out thousands of spectators keeping the refreshments and ice cream stalls busy, as were the children’s fairground rides, bouncy castle, trapeze and Rotary cherry stall.
The racing culminated in an eight boat final which spread right across the river. The club was honoured that RIBI President, Nan McCreadie, paid an official visit and presented the prizes, alongside the Mayor of Kingston and Rotary Club of Kingston-upon-Thames President, Jackie Webber.
The racing raised funds for 26 different charities with the amount so far standing at £41,500. The final total is expected to exceed £50k.
