NORTHAMPTON

Entries NOW OPEN! Northampton Dragon Boat Festival 2024!

Alternatively, you can download our PDF Entry Form, 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.

ENTER ONLINE NOW DOWNLOAD PDF FORM

Entry Levels

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 - £580 + vat (£696)

• Dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment
• At least 3 races per crew
• Music and entertainment
• Trophies for the top three crews, the best-placed mixed crew (minimum 5 ladies), the crew raising the most money for Ailsa's Aim, and the ‘best dressed’ crew
• Medals for the top three crews
• A fantastic Escape Rooms Experience from Trapp’d at Billing Aquadrome for the team raising the most money for Ailsa’s Aim
• All full-resolution photographs from the day available digitally

Silver Entry - £1,130 + vat plus £500 donation to Ailsa's Aim  (£1,856)

• Standard entry plus £500 donation to Ailsa's Aim, company logo on each side of one dragon boat, acknowledgment on the Festival website, online souvenir programme and commentary

Gold Entry - £1,590 + vat plus £750 donation to Ailsa's Aim (£2,658)

• Silver entry plus an additional £250 donation to Ailsa's Aim (£750 total), crew gazebo with chairs and full-page advert in our online souvenir programme

Ailsa's Aim

Our dedicated team tirelessly provides crucial support, effective signposting, and invaluable Essential Care Packs to those in need. Our hope is that we are delivering rays of sunshine to each beneficiary and their loved ones and carers, as well as supporting the excellent work of health and social care professionals. 

Each care pack, carefully curated with essential personal care and hygiene items, costs us £7.50 but is generally worth £50-100 - but here's the remarkable part: we provide these packs entirely free of charge to our beneficiaries. It's our belief that, in times of vulnerability, when we have had no time or ability to prepare and plan, access to care, support and essential resources should be unconditional. This is why our strapline is “Putting You First.” 

With the continued support of donors and companies sponsoring our events and activities, we can ensure that no-one faces these challenges alone, fostering hope, resilience, and comfort throughout their journey. Join us in making a difference, one care pack at a time. 

To find out more about what we do, how you can help, or to make a donation to Ailsa's Aim, please ’Get Onboard’ at www.ailsasaim.co.uk!

Tel: 07919536833 Facebook/ailsasaim Instagram@ailsas_aim Reg charity no: 1188783

All crews are encouraged to raise money for the Northampton Dragon Boat Festival charity Ailsa's Aim using the on-line Just Giving information and/or sponsor forms provided (linked below). All the fees from standard entries go towards the costs of running the event. The charity benefits only from sponsorship money raised, or from gold and silver entries.

Start raising money today!

Our story

What we deliver leaflet

Top fundraisers’ prize

The team raising the most money for Ailsa‘s Aim will be awarded the charity trophy and receive a special escape rooms experience from Trapp‘d for the whole crew at Billing Aquadrome. Visit trappd.com/branch/billing-aquadrome or tel 01604 379812

Revolution Radio 

Business Times

NN Pulse Magazine

Crew Gazebos

*Gold package includes a gazebo in the cost*

Each high quality unit measures 3m x 3m and comes complete with 12 chairs (more are available on request).

The gazebos will be situated in a good position overlooking the racecourse and will provide an ideal base for your crew as well as shelter in case of inclement weather (or from the hot sun!)

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 board 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 that crews may bring their own gazebos but space will only be allocated after the paid gazebos by the start.

Booking Form

To purchase a gazebo if you haven't already included it in your online booking form you can fill in the Crew Gazebo Booking Form , 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 document and send to dragonboatevents@newwave-events.co.uk.

Food Stalls

Attractions

Between races there is plenty to see and do (and eat!) on the bank. You can find out more about the work of Ailsa's Aim and meet the teams from Revolution Radio, NN Pulse Magazine and Business Times!

Funfair 

Billing Aquadrome will have an open funfair onsite, plus there will be inflatables and other activities for adults & children at the event area.

Caricaturist

Elevate the excitement at this year's Dragon Boat Festival with captivating live caricature artistry! Our skilled artist, known for entertaining audiences nationwide, will be on-site in Northampton. With a talent for quick black and white (and colour) sketches, each completed in around 5 minutes, our artist adds a unique and lively element to the festivities. Perfect for individuals, groups and whole teams, this engaging experience is sure to leave a lasting impression at the Dragon Boat Festival – a memorable blend of art and entertainment!

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 an online version of the souvenir programme as well as printed Souvenir Programmes to help the environment and encourage sustainability. We’ve also introduced a 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 Northampton's largest corporate team event

• Expected event audience 1,500 including over 300 from Northampton businesses
• Online and printed flip book full colour page portrait publication
• Available free to all competitors, spectators, media and VIP's and accessible with a simple QR code

File formats

• Ideally we require a high resolution PDF file with image resolution 300dpi for photos or drawings with scaling no more than 120%
• Fonts should be embedded into the pdf or set to outline in your application
• Safe area - any text or important items should be 3-5mm inside the edge of your document

Booking Form

If you haven't already included it in your online booking form you can download Souvenir Programme Form 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 both documents and send 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 upon confirmation email for the event.

Photos 2024 - LINK 

Please share them on your social media and tag NewWave Events and festival partners 🙂 

#northamptondragonboatfestival

*Please note, participants and spectators must acknowledge the fact this event is in the public arena and therefore by entering the venue, this may result in the recording of his/her image.

Our photographer for 2024 Northampton Dragon Boat Festival is Georgie Tombs

Address: Billing Aquadrome, Crow Ln, Great Billing, Northampton NN3 9DA

Parking MAP

Crews will have one vehicle pass available - free of charge. Please present your pass at the security gates. 

Any other vehicles will be charged £5 for a day. Please refer to usual payment terms at Billing Aquadrome. 

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 area so pets are allowed.