Bradford Dragon Boat Festival to be held at Roberts Park, Saltaire

More than 2,000 participants from 100 teams will brave the River Aire for the event which takes place at Roberts Park.

The popular event returned in September last year with a scaled back two days after being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Each participating team has 20 members, with 16 paddlers and one drummer racing the dragon boat over 200 metres trying to record a fast time.

Get ready for more thrilling racing at this year's Bradford Dragon Boat Festival at Roberts Park in Saltaire, 1st-3rd of July.

Expect plenty of excitement both on and off the water, across all three fun-filled days. https://t.co/uS0lYU5Pe5 #VisitBradford pic.twitter.com/bho9Sg38Z0

— Visit Bradford (@visitBradford) June 29, 2022

The festival starts on Friday, July 1, with the Youth Championship day event, which runs from 9am to 2.45pm.

This will be followed by the Lord Mayor's Championship on Saturday, July 2, for races from 9.30am to 5pm.

Proceeds from Saturday’s action will be split evenly between two charities chosen by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love. The good causes are Marie Curie Hospice Bradford and Bradford Community Kitchen.

The event will conclude on Sunday, July 3, with the Multi-Charity Championship on Sunday, July 3, with teams nominating their own team charity.

Thirty-three teams will compete in the Standard Division (for novices), and 12 teams will compete in the Super Cup Division (for experienced teams).