Dragon Boat teams roar during Peterborough festival

To the beat of the drum dozens of people have made a splash for charity on Peterborough's rowing lake.
Dragon boats on the waterDragon boats on the water
Dragon boats on the water

The 2016 Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival took place on the city waterway yesterday (Saturday), with businesses - including a strong squad from the Peterborough Telegraph - and charities lining up to take on the challenge.

Each team took part in at least three races in an attempt to pick up a trophy on the day - and competition was tight with squads posting very quick times in the warm conditions, and all raising lots of money for the official charity, Sue Ryder.

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One of the teams to beat was the Froglife squad, and Nathan Coughlan from the charity said: “It is the second time we have taken part - we decided to do it because we are running the Dragon Finder Project, to help find amphibians and reptiles.

“We also work with the Boardwalks nature reserve near the lake, and on a number of ponds around the rowing lake as well.

“This is a great chance to say thanks to our volunteers who help us.”

Merklyn Hauck, from event organisers Gamble Events, said the event had been a real success this year.

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He said: “The weather has made it this year. We have 30 teams, and lots of supporters who have come out to cheer them on. We are sure they are raising a lot of money for Sue Ryder.

Dragon boats on the waterDragon boats on the water
Dragon boats on the water

“We are slightly down on the number of teams compared to last year, but we have lots more spectators.

“We also have Connect FM doing the commentary this year, and have had fantastic support from the Peterborough Telegraph in the lead up.

“We were hoping to have a fly-past from the Lancaster, but we had a phone call last night saying it was broken, but we had a Spitfire instead, which was great for everyone.”