December 2023
Saturday 6th July 2024
Willen Lake, V10 Brickhill Street, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DS
Check out the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival Facebook page! Follow the latest news about the event, including updates on teams entered!
21st Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival in aid of Brain Tumour Research takes place on Saturday 6th July 2024 at Willen Lake and up to 48 teams will compete over the 200m race course, watched by several thousand spectators. As well as the exciting races, a wide range of bankside entertainment, food stalls and fun activities guarantee a fabulous day out for all the family! Read more about entry levels below.
Dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water activity in Britain today – as well as the most fun! Up to 10 people paddle each 30’ boat with a drummer at the front beating time and our helm at the tail steering a straight course. No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
The Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival is mainly aimed at corporate groups who are looking for a great team building day out whilst supporting and raising money for Brain Tumour Research. Upon entering, you can choose to upgrade your entry package to include a donation to Brain Tumour Research or you can simply raise funds in your own way! Read more about how you can help below.
We cannot wait to deliver this amazing event again and we hope to see you all there! Let’s make this year the one to remember and raise as much money as we can for Brain Tumour Research. Want to find out more about NewWave Events? Visit https://newwave-events.co.uk/ or simply give us a call on 01536 674 748, we would love to introduce ourselves!
Alternatively, you can download our MK DBF Flyer 2024, fill in your details and send it to us by post at Unit 5 The Old Quarry, Nene Valley Business Park, Oundle, PE8 4HN or scan the entry form and send to dragonboatevents@newwave-events.co.uk.
Once, we receive your entry we will send you an email with a payment link for card payment (2% transaction charge), an invoice for a bank transfer or you can send us a cheque for the right amount (Please specify how you are going to pay on the entry form). You can also pay by card directly via the online entry form. Once the payment is received, we will send you an acknowledgement email with a confirmation of entry and further information on the event*. If you are the assigned Crew Manager, we will be contacting you with any new information related to the event.
*Please note that your entry is not confirmed until you've received an acknowledgment email.
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Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. No refunds will be given once an entry has been accepted and there can be no refund if the Festival or racing has to be cancelled due to conditions outside the control of NewWave Events.
Standard entry plus £500 donation to Brain Tumour Research, company logo on the back of each side of one dragon boat, acknowledgment on the Festival website, online souvenir programme and commentary
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
We are the only national charity in the UK focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours through campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.
Website: www.braintumourresearch.org
Tel: 01908 867200
Email: info@braintumourresearch.org
Facebook: /BrainTumourResearch
Twitter: @braintumourrsch
MKFM is the local radio station for Milton Keynes providing a mainstream service with all the latest news, weather and travel for the area. Broadcasting live daily from Stadium MK, MKFM supports the community in a number of ways including support for charities and local business. During the pandemic MKFM became the most listened to station locally with over 335,000 unique users visiting MKFM.com each month. With the biggest social media platform in Milton Keynes, MKFM provides a number of services for businesses including radio and digital media.
MKFM is proud to support the MK Dragon Boat Festival for another year. It’s always such a fantastic community event, and a great day out teambuilding and supporting so many good causes. We look forward to taking part (even when we come last place in the race), supporting another successful event in 2024 and for many years to come!
Business MK is the leading business newspaper for Milton Keynes, North Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, reporting, reflecting and analysing the latest business news, views and comment from the area’s thriving business community. It is mailed to around 5,000 business decision-makers every month and is available online and at selected venues around the area
Business MK has been a proud media partner of the MK Dragon Boat Festival since 2015. The event is a fantastic fundraiser for local charities and brings colleagues together for some great teambuilding, morale boosting and fun. We are delighted to give it the promotion and coverage it deserves.
MK Pulse is the area’s ‘go to’ glossy lifestyle magazine. Published monthly, distributed to 32,000 homes across the Milton Keynes area and packed with superb features, information and a guide to what’s on locally each month. We are delighted to join our sister title Business MK as media partner for this year’s MK Dragon Boat Festival.
Priority positions will be given to Gold crews and those booking private catering (see separate forms).
The gazebos will be delivered and erected for you before the event and taken away at the end and all come with your company name attached. We have managed to negotiate an excellent rate with our supplier and are providing them at cost plus a small administration fee.
Gazebos will be allocated on a first come, first served basis (max one gazebo per team entry) on receipt of the completed booking form below together with appropriate payment.
Please note, crews may bring their own gazebos (max 3m x 3m).
To purchase a gazebo if you haven't already included it in your online booking form you can download the MK Crew Gazebo Form 2024, fill in your details and send it to dragonboatevents@newwave-events.co.uk.
All crews wishing to have private catering at the 2024 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival must book this through NewWave Events. It is not permitted for teams to bring their own commercial caterers to the event as this is against Parks Trust rules and there is not space in each team’s marked out 3m x 3m area for additional catering gazebos.
There is only a limited number of plots available for private catering so please book early to avoid disappointment. These plots can only be reserved on receipt of the booking form below together with your deposit.
Food will be cooked at a nearby BBQ station by our professional caterers and will need to be collected at an agreed time. Priority position for pre-paid crew gazebos will be given to Gold crews and those booking private catering on a first come, first served basis.
Download MK Private Catering Booking Form 2024 or book via our online booking form along with your entry.
Download MK Private Catering Menus and Drinks Packages 2024
Pre-book your alcoholic drinks with Bar Stop*
Eamon - 07977 090910 , admin@barstop.co.uk
*Due to Willen Lake’s no-alcohol policy, we can now only allow alcohol from the licensed bar. Please contact Bar Stop to pre book your alcoholic drinks in advance or simply buy on the day. Drinks will be served in plastic cups. Own alcohol is not permitted onsite, and you could be fined
A selection of food & drinks cash stalls will also be available on the day exclusively for the crews and their supporters
*Please note own BBQ's and alcohol are now NOT permitted on site*
Race Schedule
2024 Race Schedule - will be available two weeks prior
PDF Crew List
Crew list will be updated weekly when entries open
We now have a new online version of the souvenir programme as well as printed Souvenir Programmes to help the environment and encourage sustainability. We also have LIVE RESULTS page for up-to-date race results on the day. The QR code will be given out on the day so it’s easily accessible by crews and spectators.
Advertise in the souvenir programme and promote your company’s services or products at Milton Keynes’ largest corporate team event
If you haven't already included it in your online booking form you can download MK Souvenir Programme Form 2024 fill in your details and send it to dragonboatevents@newwave-events.co.uk.
Crews comprise of up to 10 paddlers plus a drummer – squads may be larger (max 15 persons). Crews can be mixed, all female or all male and organisations may enter more than one crew. The minimum age is 16 and no previous experience is required. All crew members must be confident in cold water conditions, wearing light clothing and in moving water and compete entirely at their own risk. BDA qualified helms, buoyancy aids and water safety cover are provided by the organisers. All crews accepted for entry must abide with the competition rules and entry details on this website. Each crew is guaranteed a minimum of 3 races (subject to conditions).
The Crew Manager will receive a full Crew Managers Information Pack a month prior to the event.
Funfair
Face Painter
Magician
Between races there is plenty to see and do (and eat!) on the bank. You can find out more about the work of Brain Tumour Research and meet the team from MKFM.
Photos from the day will be available to view and download for free in full-resolution after the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival. Link to follow...
Please share them on your social media and tag NewWave Events and festival partners 🙂
#miltonkeynesdragonboatfestival
Our photographer for 2024 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival is the award winning photographer Magdalena Sienicka.
Address: Willen Lake, V10 Brickhill St, Milton Keynes MK15 0DS
Parking: Please visit Willen Lake The Parks Trust website for more details https://willenlake.org.uk/discover-willen-lake/plan-your-visit/car-parking/
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING ON THE DAY?
We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, sun cream in case of hot weather and a sun hat. We also suggest you bring a change of clothes too as you may get wet from splashes when paddling.
If you are the crew manager, please also bring your signed risk forms for your team.
Other than that you just need a bit of determination and team spirit!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
On the day of the event we recommend you wear comfortable sports clothing and trainers or strap on shoes. Flip flops are strictly NOT allowed.
Rain coats and/or hats and sunglasses may also be a good idea depending on the weather!
ARE PETS ALLOWED?
The event site is an open, public area so pets are allowed.
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Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival is an exciting event for team building, providing a fabulous experience that celebrates the strength of teamwork. This sport, which involves paddling a large, dragon-shaped boat in unison, requires a high level of teamwork and communication. Each member of the team must work together, synchronizing their movements to propel the boat forward. This element of coordination and cooperation is a powerful metaphor for the workings of a successful corporate team, where everyone’s performance contributes to the overall success of the company.
Dragon boat festival in Milton Keynes, in particular, are ideal for corporate groups. These events provide a perfect team building day out on the water, where employees can have fun and learn new skills. The competitive nature of the races rules the spirits and encourages a positive, can-do attitude. Furthermore, the festival includes additional activities and opportunities for socializing, which can further enhance team building and cohesion.
In conclusion, dragon boat festival in Milton Keynes is more than just a sport; it’s a tool for building stronger, more effective teams. Whether it’s a one-off team building day or a regular part of your company’s culture, dragon boat racing can provide a boost to your team’s performance and morale.
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