Exeter Charity Event - 9 September 2012

Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club are delighted to offer you the opportunity to raise significant funds for your charity in a unique and fun Dragon Boat Racing event, taking place on Sunday 9th September 2012 at the Exeter quay from 9am to 5pm.  To discuss sponsoring this event, please contact our sponsorship officer Mark.

What is Dragon Boat Racing?

The sport dates back more than 2000 years to China’s Mi-Lo River about 400BC. Today, with over one million teams competing worldwide, it is the second most popular sport on the planet.  Dragon boats are long, elaborately decorated canoes with a dragon’s head and tail attached.  For this event, boats will be provided by Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club, who will also provide a Helm (steerer) for each boat, paddles, buoyancy aids, organisation of the day, timing, scoreboard and prizes.

 
Racing

The races will comprise a series of heats over a course of approximately 200 metres. Each team will race in at least three heats and the fastest teams will go through into the finals stage.  Depending on the number of teams who enter, races will take place every 6–10 minutes.

Safety

All able-bodied crew members must be declared competent in deep water and capable of swimming 50 metres with the aid of a buoyancy aid (provided). These must be worn at all times whilst on the water.  Special provision will be made for competitors who are identified as having special needs. Compliance with this provision is the responsibility of each team captain. All crew members with special needs must sign (or have signed on their behalf by an appropriate person) a waiver form available on request.  First aid equipment/support (including safety boat) is provided for crews whilst on the water.

Teams

Participation is not just open to those who have had previous racing experience. Everyone is encouraged to put forward a team and participate. Crews can be male, female, or mixed. A maximum of 12 charity teams will compete, with 16 people plus one drummer in each boat.  The minimum age for a team member is 12 years old.

Entry and Entry Fees

The entry fee is £170 per crew.  The deadline for receipt of entries is 1st September 2012.  Entries should be submitted on the entry form and accompanied by a cheque made out to Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club for the full amount.


Fund Raising / Sponsorship

Dragon Boat Racing is all about having fun while fundraising for charity. In addition to their entry fee, each team should aim to raise a minimum sponsorship for charity of £20 per team member (more will be welcome, of course – teams elsewhere have raised £2000 - £100 per team member so the challenge is there for you!). Team captains are required to take responsibility for collecting sponsorship money from their team members and passing it to your nominated charity within the agreed time frame.

Photo - Steve Clark

Sponsorship Form

A sponsorship form will be sent to you once your application is accepted. If Gift Aid donations can be made then the Inland Revenue gives an additional 28p for every £1 donated!

How to Enter

Please complete and return the application form to Stu Newman with your entry fee.  Applications will be accepted on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.  The information on this page is available to download here.  A leaflet for the event can be downloaded here.

Photo - Steve Clark

Pre-Race Training

For those teams that want it, pre-race training in Exeter is available at an additional cost of £100 per boat for a 1 hour session. Book direct with Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club by contacting our head coach Lisa.

Event Schedule (subject to change)
09.00 - Team Captains register
10.00 - Racing Commences
15.30 - The Final
16.00 - Awards Presentation

Photo - Steve Clark

Awards

Awards will be made as follows:

• Winners medals and trophy
• 2nd and 3rd place trophies
• Best fancy dress team prize
• Best under 18 team prize

Other Facilities

Food, coffees, teas and soft drinks will be available from local businesses for purchase on the site.  Toilets will be provided on site. Those competitors arriving by car are requested to make use of public car parking available near to the quay in Exeter.