• EXCITING

    No previous experience necessary

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    Suitable for all adult ages

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    Do whatever it takes ...

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    So close ...

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    Having GREAT Fun!

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    Does your team have what it takes, to

    Race The Dragon?

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The Chester Charity Dragon Boat Challenge has proven a very popular and successful event over the years, with large sums of money consistently being raised for charity by the teams entering.  Run from between the sailing base and the popular children's Aqua Park on the banks of the River Dee, the event has what appears to be, an ideal location with excellent viewing?  The challenge however is the very limited availability of parking for the 400+ expected competitors. 


The nearby Sandy Lane car park only has enough spaces for around 40 vehicles, but with those spaces also being in demand by local families wanting to use the aqua park and cars with trailers wanting to launch boats, competitor parking presents a unique challenge.  In the past a shuttle bus service from and to and from the venue has been organised, but that is only possible if there is a company able to provide the service at a cost that keeps the event viable. 


Owning to continued difficulties with organising the final details for this year's event and the limited remaining time available, we have had no choice but to postpone this event until 2026.   


2026 team entry costs for a team of 17 competitors (based on this year's prices) are projected to be around £600 per team.  If you or your company / organisation are interested in possibly entering a team in 2026, please could you complete the below form so we can ensure you are the first to know when the 2026 date is confirmed?

  • What the event is planned to entail

    Teams will race in dragon boats provided by our dragon boat event's supplier.  Along with all the boats, paddles and buoyancy aids for all competitors whilst on the water will also be provided.  Each boat will also have a helms person provided by the dragon boat company, who will steer your team's boat (teams are NOT expected to steer their own boat).


    The day is expected to start around 10:00 and finish around 16:30 - 17:30 depending on final numbers.


    A dragon boat team is made up of between eleven to seventeen team members (the odd number being the team drummer, whose job it is to beat the big drum so that the team can all paddle in time and together). ​ 

    Before each team's first race, everyone will be given a full safety briefing and also instruction on the technique used. Over the course of the event, teams will compete in three timed qualifying heats, where your single fastest time only will count for Grand Final qualification. (So one or two disasters during the qualifying heats no problem, as long as out of your three heats, you get at least one good time).


    Team work is vital if a fast time is going to be achieved and for this reason, the instructors will also give further 'on the water' training to help with technique. Over the distance we race (200 meters), fitness is not a key factor - technique however is because it's a team sprint where team work and timing is everything.  


    What you will be aiming to achieve is an opportunity to compete in the last race of the event ... the Grand Final. This will be a race where all the dragon boats that can be safely raced together will race one last time and first across the finish line will be declared: Dragon Boat Champions of Chester.


    The event will finish with our award ceremony where team trophies will be awarded to the Captain's of the top three teams and Winner's Medals to each member of the winning team.  

  • Charity Partner

    Deatails of each Charity Partner involved with the Chester Charity Dragon Boat Challenge event in 2026 will be posted here as an advertising banner in recognition of their support.

completing this form does not commit you to entering this event

We regret that recent cost pressures have made the organisation of this wonderful event unviable, resulting in future Chester Dragon Boat Festivals to be postponed until further notice.


The event organisers would like to thank all the teams, charities and companies who since 2004, have helped to raise so much for charity and made the Chester Dragon Boat Festival such a great event. 


Pictures of all the teams and past champions from previous events will remain available via the links above.


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