There was a dragon...

... in Roberts Park. Well, it was the Dragon Boat Races, so perhaps it wasn't surprising. The event was, once again, spread over three days. Saltaire and the park were heaving with crowds. However, unless you are involved or know someone who is, it's much the same year on year. I didn't really go and watch the races this year. Instead, I walked through the park and took a quick look and then carried on walking up to Shipley Glen, where it was much less crowded, though the music and announcements from the park carried a surprisingly long way on the humid air.

Dragon Boat Festival pictures

The Dragon Boat Racing Festival in Saltaire's Roberts Park has become an annual fixture. This year, the fourth time it has been held, was bigger and better than ever, taking place over three days. Teams from schools, businesses and other groups and organisations were competing to raise money for the Lord Mayor's charity appeal and for many other charities. 

The park had a base camp for the teams and lots of food stalls, as well as activities for children, music, a market and a funfair. There was a good atmosphere, with large screens showing the races, since there is not a lot of room for spectators on the river bank. 

Dragon Boat Festival 2017

As the summer gets underway, there is no shortage of amusement in Saltaire. Last weekend we had the Tour de Yorkshire coming through the village and this weekend it was the turn of the dragon-boat racers. It is the third year that this festival has been held in Roberts Park. This year it was bigger and better: three days of racing including a Youth Championship for schools, a Charity Championship and a Corporate Championship, with teams drawn from across the North of England. It all aims to raise thousands of pounds for various charities, including the Lord Mayor's nominated charity for 2017, Young Minds. Saturday's racing saw over 40 teams battling it out.  It all seemed more lavishly organised than previous years, with a pontoon across the river that made getting in and out of the boats much speedier and easier. 

Despite a chilly day on Saturday, the park was crowded with people picnicking and enjoying the sideshows. There was live music (another addition this year); a fun fair; displays by the army, police and fire service; market stalls and loads of food and drink, all reminiscent of the second weekend of the Saltaire Festival. Many of the visitors didn't really seem to be taking much interest in the actual racing, although you could watch it on a giant screen as well as some limited viewing alongside the river. All in a good cause, although some of Saltaire's residents might heave a collective sigh of relief when it's all over and the village goes quiet again...

Neck and neck

Three Dragon Boat teams competed in each qualifying race, and each team had three qualifying races. Each team's single fastest qualifying time over the three races was then collated. The Grand Final Race then took place between the fastest teams, to decide the overall winner.  Many of the heats were neck and neck - and only one boat capsized, which was pretty good, I guess. Then the Grand Final had to be rerun owing to a collision but, all in all, things went rather well.

The river bank isn't designed for lots of spectators and it was tricky to find a good spot to take photos from. There was a large screen in the park showing the races, along with lots of attractions for visitors: fairground rides, food stalls, bars, music and a street market. And there was a cricket match going on too! It was all great fun, made more special by the delightful weather.

And the winners were..... Red Phoenix, a team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Well done to them!

Effort and determination

2016 Bradford Dragon Boat Festival:  Thrills, spills (well, only one), the occasional collision and lots of splashing. The teams were really determined....

Dragon Boat teams

These are some of the 44 teams of volunteers who entered the 2016 Dragon Boat Festival, held on the River Aire in Saltaire's Roberts Park. Each crew has sixteen paddlers and a drummer, many of whom may never have been in a dragon boat before the day! Some basic instruction is given before the start and each boat is steered by a qualified instructor from the Race The Dragon organising body.  (I have to say that it seemed incredibly well organised).

'Maggie's Slayers' are a team from Bradford Council Children's Services.

In the pink, 'This Girl Can' are a team from Bradford Council's Sport and Culture department.

Dragon Boat Festival 2016

Roberts Park played host to the second Bradford Dragon Boat Festival, which looks like becoming another annual fixture in Saltaire's busy calendar. Last year the river was in flood and the races had to take place on the canal. In contrast, this year saw one of the first really warm and sunny days of the year, ideal weather that brought the crowds out in force. The proceedings were started by Bradford's current Lord Mayor, Councillor Joanne Dodds.  The event raises funds for the Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal, which this year is supporting the Bradford Children's Hospital Fund and Spread a Smile which gives small grants to local community groups.

The Lord Mayor posed for a photo with the SSWC team from Shipley and Saltaire Wellness Centre. The gentleman in the black top is an actor, John Middleton, who plays Ashely Thomas, the vicar in the popular TV soap 'Emmerdale'.

Here be dragons...

Great excitement in Saltaire last weekend... There was dragon-boat racing between various teams competing to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bradford's 2015 Charity Appeal. Twenty-two teams took part in various heats over the course of the day and the eventual winners were Appleton Crusaders, a team from a local academy school. 

This was the first ever such event to take place in Saltaire. It was planned to be held on the river in Roberts Park but heavy rain overnight caused flooding and dangerously strong currents, so the decision was taken to hold the races on the canal instead.

Despite the freezing cold (two fleeces, a jacket, woolly hat and gloves! and I was still chilled to the marrow by the time I eventually returned home) and a day that started very dull and rainy, there were lots of spectators. They would not let the general public on to the towpath, so everyone was crowded around the bridge and it was pretty difficult to get a good view.

One of the boats overturned, but I didn't get a photo of that! Thankfully the canal isn't really very deep and all the competitors managed to scramble ashore.

I think this may become an annual fixture as it seemed a really popular event. The total raised for charity is thought to be over £20,000. Another thing to put Saltaire on the map. Never a dull moment round here!

Splashing dragon, hidden tiger

One of the teams competing in the Dragon-boat racing at Leeds Waterfront Festival. There was plenty of splashing and yelling going on, as well as the steady drum-beat (that is supposed) to tell them when to dip their paddles. I thought the guy at the back looked pretty cool, considering!

Neck and neck

Dragon-boat racing in the New Dock at the Leeds Waterfront Festival. A dull and chilly morning was enlivened by the colour and spectacle of these amateur races. I've never actually seen this sport before and I don't know much about it. Apparently it originated in southern China and the modern version has only been taken up internationally in the last few decades. It basically involves large teams of paddlers, spurred on by the beats (and shouts) of a drummer. The boat is steered by the guy standing up (quite a dangerous role, I guess... especially when they had to duck under the bridge!) The crews looked pretty raw to it, though very enthusiastic - there was plenty of water flying about. The boats had to be bailed out in between heats! I believe the teams are drawn from charities, groups and businesses in the area. The races have become something of a tradition at the Festival, which showcases the recently redeveloped waterfront area in Leeds, along the canal and river.