dragon boat racing newcastle north east

Dragon Boat Racing – An Exciting Team Building Activity

by BUSINESS

Dragon boat racing is not merely a sport; it’s a team-building exercise that promotes values of resilience, perseverance, and teamwork. This water activity is a fantastic solution for corporate events, providing a unique and fun way to enhance communication, productivity, and relationships among colleagues. In this article, we’ll explore how dragon boat racing can be a game-changer for your team building efforts, with a special focus on NewWave’s private corporate dragon boat events and charity dragon boat festivals.

The Elements of Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing is a water sport that involves teams of paddlers working together to navigate a boat through a race course. The sport requires a high level of teamwork and communication, making it an excellent team-building activity. The fastest teams are those that can synchronise their paddling and work together most effectively.

dragon boat team

The Power of Teamwork in Dragon Boat Racing

In dragon boat racing, teamwork is not just important; it’s essential. The sport requires all paddlers to work in unison, promoting a level of communication and coordination that can be transferred to the corporate world. This activity takes participants out of their comfort zones and encourages them to rely on their teammates, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual trust.

NewWave’s Corporate Dragon Boat Events

NewWave, a leading name in the realm of team-building activities, offers an unconventional yet thrilling experience with their corporate dragon boat events. These events are not just about racing in a dragon boat; they are about fostering a sense of unity, enhancing communication, and building stronger bonds within a team. 

Charity Dragon Boat Festivals

In addition to their corporate events, NewWave also organises charity dragon boat festivals. These events align participants with organisational goals and values, while also providing an opportunity for companies to give back to the community. The festivals are not only a fun day out for employees but also a chance to build strong, supportive relationships between co-workers and the wider community.

Dragon Boat Festivals

Dragon Boat Racing: A Fun Day for the Company

Dragon boat racing is not just a team-building activity; it’s also a great way to have a company fun day. The sport is exciting and engaging, and the friendly competition can boost team motivation and retention levels. Plus, the physical activity and outdoor setting can renew energy and enthusiasm among employees.

In conclusion, dragon boat racing is an amazing tool for team building. Whether you’re looking to improve communication within your team, strengthen bonds between colleagues, or simply have a fun day out, dragon boat racing offers a unique and effective solution. With NewWave’s private corporate dragon boat events and charity dragon boat festivals, your team can experience the benefits of this sport firsthand.

Corporate Dragon Boat Events

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Gong Hey Fat Choy! Entries are open! Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival 2023

by Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has joined once again with the event organisers NewWave Events to launch the 17th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival and what better time to announce this news than Chinese New Year!

Cambridge dragon boat festival team on water

The 2023 Festival takes place on Saturday 9th September on the River Cam at Fen Ditton and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region. Over 30 crews representing companies and organisations from all over Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas are expected to battle it out over the 200m racecourse. The teams will also be raising vital funds for ACT, the only charity that supports Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.

Dragon boat racing has an ancient Chinese history dating back 2,000 years and according to the Chinese calendar, 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious.

By entering a dragon boat crew and raising money for ACT, the teams will be helping to raise much needed funds for cutting edge technology, additional specialist services, vital research and extra comforts for patients that make all the difference over and above what would be possible through NHS funding alone.

ACT Chief Executive, Shelly Thake, said:

“We are truly honoured and very excited to be the charity of choice for Cambridgeshire’s Dragon Boat Festival for the sixth year running. Last year, our supporters raised an amazing £12,000 either by taking part in the race itself, or coming along on the day. A big thank you to everyone who helped to make last year’s festival such a success, every penny raised for ACT helps to make your great hospitals even better.”

Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “We are thrilled to announce that the event will run again in 2023! The event raised an amazing amount for ACT in 2022 and we are hoping to beat this in 2023! We are super excited to see all the amazing companies that enter year on year and we are also looking forward to seeing some new ones! Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all this summer for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding!””

Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “The Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival is definitely one of my favourite events and I am so glad we can now bring this back to the city once again. To be able to continue the partnership with Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) for 2023 is just the icing on the cake for the come-back of this event! We are all systems go now at NewWave with the preparations and cannot wait to welcome teams and spectators back for the 17th year!”

No previous experience is required to take part, just plenty of team spirit so why not take up the challenge? The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. The festival offers a full day of fun on land as well as water with activities on the bankside to entertain teams and spectators. The event is supported by Cambridge Edition and Cambridge Independent.

The team raising the most money for ACT will be awarded the charity trophy and receive the special prize of a Punting Tour along the River Cam courtesy of Let’s Go Punting.

For further information and to book your place on the start line please visit

https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/cambridge-dragon-boat-festival/ or call NewWave Events on 01536 674 748.

To find out more about the vital work of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust please call Donna Lee-Willis, Head of Community Fundraising on 01223 217757 or visit www.helpyourhospital.co.uk 

Images

Please find attached photos of the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival, courtesy of Magdalena Sienicka Photography

 

Paddles Up- reduced

Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival 2022 – Last Chance to enter!

by News

The Festival is back and over 44 teams have already signed up to take part! There are only 4 spaces available, so sign up today and join them on the start line! The Festival, supported by MK Charities, MKFM, Business MK and MK Pulse Magazine, takes place at Willen Lake on Saturday 24th September 2022 and is one of the highlights of the regional events calendar.

 

The Dragon Boat Festival attracts a complete mix of new and returning crews and all with the same aim in mind – to enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends and make a difference in their community. This year crews can choose to fundraise for their chosen charity, which means many charities will greatly benefit from the festival. On top of the fundraising, this year, there has been, many enhanced gold and silver entries, which include marketing benefits as well as a significant donation to the charity.  The gold entries include; Aero Tec Laboratories, Ibstock (two teams), Little Star Media, MHA MacIntyre Hudson, Personal Group

R S Response Ltd, Siemlus and SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd (four teams) and silver entries; Clipper Logistics, Cummins inc (two teams), PJ Care and RJS Ventol (two teams).

Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events says: “We are thrilled to be able to bring the festival back this year and it’s promising to be a fantastic day with many local companies taking part. It’s an amazing community event and I think making it an open charity festival will make a big difference to those in need. This year there will be smaller boats that fit 10 paddlers and a drummer so getting a team together is much easier. If you are a local company and don’t have any plans for September you can still enter! See you all very soon.”

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help raise money for a charity, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm! The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided, and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. As well as the medals and trophies for the top crews, there will also be trophies for the best dressed crew and crew raising the most money for their charity.

As well as races every 10 minutes between 10am-5pm, there will also be a variety of bankside entertainment to enjoy such as funfair rides, face painter, a World War II Spitfire from the BBMF flypast and food stalls. Come down to Willen Lake on 24th September and watch over 40 local companies battle it out in 30’ colourful dragon boats! The event is free to spectators, which makes it a great day out for family and friends.

For further information and an entry form visit: https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/milton-keynes-dragon-boat-festival/  or call NewWave Events on 01536 674 748. For information about how you can help with fundraising, visit https://www.mkcharities.com/.

Milton Keynes FES

Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival is coming to Willen Lake for 19th year! Entries now open!

by Uncategorised

Entries are officially open for the annual Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival which returns to Willen Lake on Saturday 24th September 2022 and, new festival organisers NewWave Events, are expecting an even higher turnout this time around.

The Dragon Boat Festival supported this year by Business MK, Pulse Magazine, MKFM and MK Charities attracts more than 50 companies annually and for the first-time companies can raise money for a charity of their choice. Let’s make a difference together!

There is a great incentive for teams to raise as much sponsorship as possible as the top fundraisers will win a charity trophy and the sponsorship raised by the participating teams is expected to make a significant contribution to the charities in and around Milton Keynes.

Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “We are thrilled to be able to carry on the legacy of the festival and we are excited to bring new and fresh ideas in the years to come. Lucy and I didn’t hesitate at all with a decision of starting NewWave Events. Being involved with planning this festival previously, we knew it was and is an important event for the participants, charities, and local community, so we started planning as soon as possible. When Gable Events closed it was certainly an end of an era, but we are optimistic for the future, and we are here to bring everyone back together again after what’s been a difficult time for everyone! Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all in September for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding!”

 

Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events said: “Bring on September! I’m so glad we get to bring this amazing event back to Milton Keynes and the new feature to raise money for any local charity I think will bring more interest and raise vital funds to help so many different charities in the area. After such a tough couple of years, this is exactly what the community and charities need and we cannot wait for it to all come together for the best year yet.”

 

The Festival will be using smaller 30’ (up to 11 person) dragon boats with reduced entry fees to make it easier for companies and organisations of all sizes to enter teams! With entries now open, companies, clubs and organisations from across the region are getting their teams together to take part. They represent a complete mix of new and returning crews but all with the same aim in mind – to enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends and make a difference in their community. Enhanced Gold and Silver entry packages are available which include marketing benefits such as the company’s logo on each side of a dragon boat as well as a significant donation to the charity of their choice.

To take part in the dragon boat racing and help raise money for your charity, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm! The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races.

For further information and an entry form visit: https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/milton-keynes-dragon-boat-festival/. If you wish to find out more about charities you can help, visit https://www.mkcharities.com/

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Gong Hey Fat Choy! Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival is back for 2022

by Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has joined with new event organisers NewWave Events to launch the 16th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival!

The 2022 Festival takes place on Saturday 10th September on the River Cam at Fen Ditton and is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated team events in the region. Over 40 crews representing companies and organisations from all over Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course. The teams will also be raising vital funds for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.

 

Dragon boat racing has an ancient Chinese history dating back 2,000 years and according to the Chinese calendar, 2022 is the year of the Tiger. Like their eponymous zodiac animal, people born in years of the Tiger are vigorous and ambitious, daring and courageous, enthusiastic and generous, self-confident with a sense of justice and a commitment to help others for the greater good – all important qualities for achieving dragon boat success this September and making a splash for Addenbrooke’s!

The Festival’s official charity is Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) which is the only charity dedicated to making a difference for patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals. Whether its treatment for an emergency, acute condition, pregnancy or long term illness, ACT believes that every patient deserves the highest quality of care available. By entering a dragon boat crew and raising money for ACT, the teams will be helping to raise much needed funds for cutting edge technology, additional specialist services, vital research and extra comforts for patients that make all the difference over and above what would be possible through NHS funding alone.

“Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is excited to be the official charity sponsor for the Cambridge Dragon Boat Race once again this year. We would love people to sign up for what promises to be a great day full of fun, friendly competition and team rivalry. We’re so grateful that the festival will be raising funds to support ACT this year, helping to make Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals even better for patients, their families and staff.” – Emma Bray, Corporate Fundraiser

Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “We are thrilled to be able to carry on the legacy of the festival and we are excited to bring new and fresh ideas in the years to come. Lucy and I didn’t hesitate at all with a decision of starting NewWave Events. Being involved with planning this festival previously, we knew it was and is an important event for the participants, charity, and local community, so we started planning as soon as possible. When Gable Events closed it was certainly an end of an era, but we are optimistic for the future, and we are here to bring everyone back together again after what’s been a difficult time for everyone! Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all in 2022 for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding!”

Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “The Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival is definitely one of my favourite events and I am so glad we can now bring this back to the city once again. To be able to continue the partnership with Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) for 2022 is just the icing on the cake for the come-back of this event! We are all systems go now at NewWave with the preparations and cannot wait to welcome teams and spectators back for the 16th year!”

No previous experience is required to take part, just plenty of team spirit so why not take up the challenge? The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races. The Festival offers a full day of fun on land as well as water with activities on the bankside to entertain teams and spectators. The event is supported by Cambridge Edition and Cambridge Independent.

The team raising the most money for ACT will be awarded the charity trophy and receive the special prize of a Punting Tour along the River Cam courtesy of Let’s Go Punting.

 

For further information and to book your place on the start line please visit

https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/cambridge-dragon-boat-festival/ or call NewWave Events on 01536 674 748.

To find out more about the vital work of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust please call Allison Waterhouse, Community Relationships Lead on 01223 217757 or visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk

London Construction 3

The Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge returns for the 22nd year!

by London Construction Dragon Boat Challenge

The Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge is finally back after two difficult years and the entries are now officially open for ‘The Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge, in aid of CRASH Charity’ – organised by NewWave Events and sponsored by Building Magazine.

The afternoon event will take place on Thursday 19th May at West Reservoir, London, N4 2HA and will welcome 40 teams from across the industry in a battle to be crowned ‘The Construction Industry Dragon Boat Champions 2022’.

You may have noticed few changes here, NewWave Events is the new organiser of event. Alicja Mierzejewska and Lucy Morton, previous Senior Event Managers at Gable Events started the company during the pandemic to carry on the legacy and bring back many annual dragons boat events, including this one.

Alicja Mierzejewska, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “We are thrilled to be able to carry on the legacy of the challenge and we are excited to bring new and fresh ideas in the years to come. Lucy and I didn’t hesitate at all with a decision of starting NewWave Events. Being involved with planning this challenge previously, we knew it was and is an important event for the participants, charity, and the construction industry, so we started planning as soon as possible. When Gable Events closed it was certainly an end of an era, but we are optimistic for the future, and we are here to bring everyone back together again after what’s been a difficult time for everyone! Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all in 2022 for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding!”

Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “The Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge is definitely one of my favourite events and I am so glad we can now bring this back to the city once again. To be able to continue the partnership with CRASH Charity for 2022 is just the icing on the cake for the come-back of this event! We are all systems go now at NewWave with the preparations and cannot wait to welcome teams and spectators back for the 22nd year!”

What is Dragon Boat Racing?

Dragon Boat Racing originates from ancient China and is the fastest growing water-based activity in Britain – as well as being the most fun. Up to 10 people paddle each boat with a drummer at the front beating time. Each team will have a professional helm steering a straight course but it’s up to you to paddle the 150m course to the finish line.

What’s included?

The afternoon guarantees you a minimum of two races, bankside entertainment, BBQ, prize giving, souvenir programme, qualified staff, dragon boats and equipment.

You don’t need any prior dragon boat racing experience to take part (or to take the winner’s trophy!) just plenty of team spirit.

Why take part?

This action-filled afternoon is an unmissable opportunity for team-building, whether you’re welcoming new employees or thanking your team and key clients. Taking part will give your company a unique opportunity to challenge your peers on the water, build relationships and build your network whilst supporting your industry charity.

‘’CRASH is delighted to partner with NewWave Events and media partner Building, for the 22nd year Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge in aid of CRASH charity. It’s a fantastic fundraising event, promoting teamwork, relationship building and good old-fashioned fun! Over the years it has raised an incredible amount for CRASH’s vital work supporting homelessness and hospice organisations and we are so grateful to all the teams involved. We are looking forward to seeing many of our industry supporters ready to race in aid of CRASH on 19th May 2022.’’ Lucie Gillard, Fundraising Coordinator at CRASH

Hundreds of companies have already discovered the sport’s team building benefits and raised much-needed funds for CRASH so why not be part of it?

How to enter

To secure your team’s place on Thursday 19th May and for further event details, please visit https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/london-construction-dragon-boat-challenge/ or call 01536 674 748 For further information on CRASH’s vital work and how you can help please visit www.crash.org.uk