top of page
Dragon boat 2022 letterhead logo.jpg

about       team information     visitor information       north bank gala       our sponsors       2023 event       contact us        york rotary

VISITOR INFORMATION  -  2024

BV6R1598 (Custom)_edited.jpg

ENJOYING THE RACING

With 36 teams of 16 fancy-dressed paddlers in Dragon Boats competing in heats throughout the day from 10.00am ,  and culminating in an exciting final in the afternoon, the York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge is one of the City's premier events, drawing great support from local residents and visitors alike, who want to share in the excitement.

FAQ's

When is the event?

The 2024 event is being held on Sunday July 14th

Where is the event?

The racing takes place on the River Ouse in York, between Scarborough Bridge and Lendal Bridge.

What time is the racing?

The first races start at 10am, and continue through the day, with the Grand Final taking place at around 4pm.

Where can I watch?

The public are invited to watch from the North Bank of the river, or from the bridges.  Please avoid the South Bank, as this is for the teams and can get very crowded.

Are children welcome?

Yes of course - but please ensure for safety reasons they do not get too close to, or sit on, the embankment edge. If children (or adults) are in a potentially dangerous position, Rotary Stewards are empowered to ask them to move to a safer location.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, but we would welcome any donations you wish to give; all proceeds from the event go to local charities.

How can I make a donation?
There will be donation points, for contactless payments or cash, on each riverbank.  Look out for the "DONATE HERE" banners!

Or, you can donate online by credit/debit card or Paypal - click here or scan the QR code 

How do I follow the racing?

Printed Race Cards / heat timings will be available free of charge.  You can check which Heat is currently on, and which is about to start, on our twitter feed at #YorkDragonBoat

Where can I park? 

The closest public car park is in Marygate (fee) and there are other car parks locally.  Please note the Esplanade car park is closed to the general public during the event.

Can I get there by bus?

There are lots of services that run through the city centre with stops very close to the event. To find the best bus route for you, try the Journey Planner (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/york/plan-journey/journey-planner/).   

If you’re travelling from further away, avoid city centre traffic and parking by using York Park & Ride or the Coastliner and other long-distance services.

Is food available?

Some of the stalls on the North Bank supply food and drink, and local cafes and commercial stalls are also open.

Are there toilets on site?

Yes,  portable toilets are available on the North Bank (by Marygate) and South Bank (by Esplanade Car Park)

QR code DB Donations.png
The Island stall on the North Bank

NORTH BANK GALA

In conjunction with the racing event,  we also have a Gala on the North Bank of the River, where the public can watch the racing and enjoy the fun of stalls, competitions, music, food and drink;  and learn about local charities.

If you are a charity and interested in taking a stall at the 2024 event, please see more details here

DRAGON BOAT RACE 10 July 2016 - 104 of 5
© 2024 by Rotary Club of York
bottom of page