Dragon Bpaots 2024

Jenkinson’s Barefoot Superheroes Race away with the Winners Trophy (no 5)

The Dragon Boat Challenge 2024 ended with another fun-packed day at the North Yorkshire Water Park, despite the inclement weather.

The final took place in sunshine with a stiff breeze across the lake making some difficult conditions for the paddlers.

In lane 1 was the Jenkinson’s boat, who were paddling for Combat CRB1 and Saint Catherine’s Hospice, which incidentally had their event mobile unit on site.

Lane 2 was occupied by McCain Potato Paddlers, who were raising funds for Andy’s Man Club.

Third lane had Boat 2, with Raflatac Blazing Paddlers hoping to beat their closest rivals Raflatac Blazing Paddlers Boat 1 in lane 4.

Both the Raflatac boats were raising money for SASH, West Way Arms and Andy’s Man Club. As for the race itself it was a close-run thing until the final few metres when the Barefoot Paddlers stole a march on the other 

teams to win in a time of 1 minute 05.14

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The two Raflatac boats came in second (Boat 1) and third (Boat 2) with very close times – second place 1 minute 07.64 and third 1 minute 07.68.

Whilst the McCain Potato Paddlers came in fourth place their crew made a valiant effort to keep in touch with the leading boats, which made for a really exciting finale to the day’s racing.

Perhaps the competitive edge between the Rafltac boats cost them the winners trophy with the Jenkinson’s Barefoot Paddlers crossing the line first – who knows!!!.

The day started with teams arriving very early to find their pitches on the lakeside.

Charter Mayor, Councillor Janet Jefferson kicked off the proceedings by starting the first race at 10.10am and wishing the teams well and thanking the Rotary Club of Scarborough Cavaliers for organising the event.

Twenty teams took part this year, with two of the teams having to drop out for various reasons.

But the day’s racing was well managed by the Race-the-Dragon team, who were there for the first time this year.

The club would like to thank the food, drink and entertainment providers, the sponsors, especially the Opera House Casino, Broadland Properties and Scarborough Cavalier Golfers, as well as all the teams that took part yesterday.

The Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District (BID) deserve a special mention for their continued support paying for the cost of the programme, prizes for the special category winners, together with momentos for each paddler.

There will be a Presentation Evening on Wednesday July 10 at the Scarborough Rugby Club when all the monies raised by the teams for the 20 charities and local organisations listed in the programme will be handed out.

The special category winners, such as Best Fancy Dressed Boat, Most Money Raise for their Charity, and Fastest “First Timers” will also receive their prizes.

Last year this total amounted to over £20,000 and 26 charities and organisations benefitted from the funding.

Apart from a couple of heavy downpours of rain during the afternoon we escaped remarkably well with the weather.

Mike Wilkinson

Chair of Membership & Communications