IT’S a popular annual event which sees hundreds get soaked and have a lot of fun while raising money for charity.
The Dragon Boat Festival returns to North Harbour and three Portsmouth-based Rotary clubs were out in force on Saturday to raise awareness and try to get more people to join in.
Two boats were on display in Portsmouth in Commercial Road and Palmerston Road, where people spoke about the event and handed out leaflets.
Carol Jenkinson, who is part of the Dragon Boat committee, was one of those spreading the word in the city on Saturday.
She said: ‘We are trying to encourage people to get involved.
‘It’s a really good way to raise money for their chosen charity. It’s a fun event so you are having fun while raising a lot of money.
‘It’s a really good competitive event. It’s a full day where you can take your picnic down or put up a gazebo.
‘People can come and watch and the family can get involved.
‘We have had quite a lot of interest down there.’
Many local businesses make up teams to take part.
And Carol said that they are hoping to encourage a lot of youth teams to take part, to enable young people to compete against their peers.
‘On the Saturday we are trying to encourage as many youth teams as we can,’ she said. ‘If schools or cub scouts want to get involved it would be good to have a day to compete against each other.
‘All the youngsters that we have had involved so far have thoroughly enjoyed it.’
This year’s festival will take place on the weekend of Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19.
Teams are made up of 20 people and there is a booking cost of £395 per team.
The event takes place at Lakeside and there is a funfair.
Individual team members are asked to raise at least £50 for charity.
To find out more visit portsmouthrotary.org.uk/dragonboat.
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