TO ENTER VISIT: https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/construction-industry-dragon-boat-challenge/
This annual event is always set to be an exciting event, showcasing fierce competition and camaraderie among construction companies in and around London. With a new venue for the 24th year, we were excited to introduce this year’s dragon boat race to Surrey Docks – with its scenic waterfront it provides the perfect backdrop for an exciting dragon boat race day.
It was a gorgeous morning over London as the sun rose on Thursday 23rd May. The NewWave events team had arrived and were setting up ready and raring to go! With eight 30ft boats involved in the dragon boat race, it was one of our biggest and most popular dragon boat races of the season. We had an incredible 39 teams enter from the construction industry all coming together to support CRASH charity.
‘CRASH unites the construction industry by channelling the professional expertise, construction products and donations of our Corporate Patrons and supporters to: Transform hostels, day centres, night shelters and move-on accommodation for homeless people across the UK. Create caring environments where children and adults who need end of life care in a hospice can spend precious time together with their families and deliver meaningful social impact between companies and charities to create a more caring society and deliver long-lasting benefits in communities across the UK.’ – https://www.crash.org.uk/
1pm approached and a few butterflies of nerves and excitement as the dragon boat race began! The spectator area was full to the brim, the hustle and bustle of teams getting themselves ready for the day ahead. We had the club room designated for NewWave Events race control area as well as the base for CRASH Charity with the ever-popular Batak competition running alongside all the other excitement of the day. (The NewWave Events team obviously had to make sure the Batak was fit for purpose before the day with an inter-office Batak competition, won by a country mile by Aiden, our logistics and events manager!)
A full day ahead with 20 heats, 3 semi-finals and one grand-final. In Deep Ship, HQR Vikings, ISG Agility Sea Dragons and Parkaray were the first teams up in the dragon boat race ready to compete in Heat number 1. HQR Vikings took a storming lead with a time of 68.14 seconds – no other team in heat 1 managing to cross that sub-70 mark. In fact, only one other team could beat their time in the whole of round 1! Opera were standing in first place after round 1 with HQR Vikings a close second. These were the teams to beat after the first 10 heats, but this was the construction industry – anything could happen!
The teams only had one more round to paddle their quickest times in order to advance through to the semi-finals. A BBQ pit stop for all teams to load up on energy as the second round of the boat race began. The burgers and beverages must have helped with 18 out of the 39 teams finishing round 2 hitting a sub-70 time! The race to the semi-finals was on.
After a battle in the semi-finals, the teams advancing through to the grand-final were Boaty McBainsface, Opera, The Horizon Dragons, and HQR Vikings.
Deep breaths as the final teams lined up on the start line for the Constructions Industry Dragon Boat Challenge. Boaty McBainsface took an early lead, pulling slightly ahead of all other teams, their paddling technique was on point. The other three teams were hot on their tails though. Spectators really got into it, screaming for their favourite team! All teams were neck and neck coming up to the half way mark but in the last 50m Boaty McBainsface surged forward, there was no stopping them. They crossed the finish line with so much power and energy, winning the construction industry challenge but then, disaster!! They over celebrated and capsized!!! Boaty McBainsface emerged back on to dry land a little soggy but with huge smiles on their faces after their little celebratory swim!
What a day! The weather was spot on, teams were sportsmanlike and supportive and an incredible amount of money was raised for a brilliant cause.
Trisha Pickersgill, Chief Executive at CRASH, said: “I was delighted to attend my first Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge in aid of CRASH. Thank you to our media partner Building Magazine, event organisers NewWave Events and the wonderful teams from across the construction industry who joined us. The fundraising efforts were incredible and will go on to leave a lasting impact in our communities when combined with the best of the industry’s professional expertise and construction product. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event in what will be the 25th, Construction Industry Dragon Boat Challenge.” – https://thejoinerynetwork.co.uk/2024/06/10/dragon-boat-challenge-sees-27k-raised-for-crash/
