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The York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge - Sunday 12th July 2009

The club will hold its annual challenge on the Ouse on Sunday 12th July 2009. Racing will start at 10.00 am. This will be the seventh occasion the York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge has been held. This is the club's major fund raising effort each year and the total raised for charity by the five previous challenges to date is around £400,000. The nominated charities for 2009 are York Nightstop and York Samaritans  It is always difficult to choose our nominated charities, this year we have chosen two charities who provide their help in a continuous and discreet way and we hope our choice will raise their profile and publicize the valuable work they undertake.

The race will take place over a 250 metre stretch of the River Ouse between Scarborough and Lendal Bridges with the valued advice and guidance of the York City Rowing Club and British Waterways. The South Bank of the River will be used by the participating teams and their family and friends. A Gala Day atmosphere will be created with stalls and a variety of activities on the North Bank. The racing itself will be run by Dragon Boat Events Ltd  The teams will be distinguished from each other by adopting a team outfit and there will be an award for the best dressed team. Each team seeks sponsorship with one third going to the designated charities above and two thirds going to a charity of the team's own choice. 

Each crew consists of 16 paddlers and a Drummer  selected from a team of up to 20 including reserves. The helmsmen are professionals provided by Dragon Boats Events Ltd. Each team participates in three preliminary rounds and at least the four teams with the fastest times in the preliminary rounds will take part in the Grand Final. 

2008 Final and Results

1.  The Challenge Trophy – Presented to the winner of the Grand Final - Corus Cruisers along with a cheque for £100 to their chosen charity, "St Leonard's Hospice"                                           

2.  The Fastest Times - these are awards, for the fastest time in any of the races in which they participate, and are made to the teams NOT winning the Challenge Trophy: 

• The Charity Cup for the fastest "Charity" Team was presented to:

            St Helens Angels with a time of 0.57.25 mins along with a cheque for £50 to "St Helens Church, Escrick"

• The Ouse Cup for the fastest "Civilian" Team was presented to:

  Shepherd Sharks with a time of 0.54.59 along with a cheque for £50 to "Childline"

• The Merlin Cup for the fastest "Armed Services" Team, was presented to:

             Swifts with a time of 0.55.81 along with a cheque for £50 to "SSAFA" & "RAF Benevolent Fund"

3.  The Ged Bell Trophy for the “Best Dressed Team” was presented to The Spa-tans team along with a cheque for £50 to "The Spa Retreat" 

The full detailed results, including times are available below (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access - click here for free download )   

         * All the team places have been allocated for the 2009 Challenge, expressions of interest for the 2010 Challenge on Sunday 11th July 2010 can be registered with David Thompson

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