Dragon Boat Racing - Charity Day

“No Spicer should miss a Dragon Boat Day. It really sums up what Spice is all about – fun, friendship, excitement & the chance to try an activity that anyone can enjoy!”

Today is going to be different as we are raising money for the charity “Help For Heroes”. The money that is raised at Help for Heroes is used to support wounded Servicemen and women and is making a real difference to the lives of these extraordinary young men and women.

These are great days out - Enter the Dragon! Up to 18 people sitting side by side in a forty foot long boat, with a carved dragon's head and tail attached.  A drummer in the prow beating time, a steerer in the stern keeping the boat on course with a giant paddle, the crew, ten each side speeding the boat down the river to the finish line! The atmosphere is brilliant, which is why this is one of the essential events in the Spice calendar! Today we’ll be racing for the charity with other Spice groups from all over the UK. Don't worry if you've never been in a Dragon Boat or anything similar before, as we'll have plenty of time to practice before the racing begins in earnest (and as this is Spice, it’s all just for fun anyway!).

For colour, spectacle and excitement Dragon Boat Racing has it all and is also rapidly becoming the mass participation sport on water. If you want to know what a great day out this is ask any of the members who've attended previous events.

Dragon Boat Racing caters for all ages, male and female, in one crew and requires no experience.  It's great fun and totally unlike any other kind of canoeing with team work being the key, not strength.  Get the start right and you can feel the boat lift out of the water and start to plane to give you a fast racing start, it's amazing how fast a 18 person canoe can travel!  Each boat is provided with an expert helmsman to keep you on the right track, and with the help of your drummer beating out the time of the strokes you are sure to get the rhythm right...well that's the theory anyway!

The venue for this  years events is the river Avon at Pershore, on the northern edge of the Cotswolds.  This is a beautiful setting in one of Englands' most picturesque areas so you may want to make a weekend of it. Changing facilities are available and there will also be food for sale during the day.  Parking is available on site and a transport list with directions will be sent out to all those who book.

No experience is necessary to participate but you must be able to swim at least 50 metres in light clothing.