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A team racing along the river in their dragon boat

Bedford Dragon Boat Festival 2024

Let the battle begin! Take to the water along a 200-metre River Ouse racecourse, with thousands of spectators roaring your team to the finish line. The Bedford River Festival is one of the UK’s biggest outdoor events, welcoming is excess of 250,000 visitors across the weekend. Race for Sue Ryder and help us be there when it matters.

Date and time

20 July 2024

09:00am - 05:00pm

Location

St Mary’s Gardens
Bedford
MK42 9AH

Fundraising target

£600

Contact

Nick Burr

01767 642 424

stjohns.events@sueryder.org
The Bedford Dragon Boat Festival 2024 logo

Over 20 crews battling it out on the water

Over 20 crews are expected to battle it out on an exciting 200m course along the picturesque River Ouse, flanked on the south side by St Mary’s Gardens and the Riverside Square on the north side.

St Mary’s Gardens is a superb venue for the racing and a fantastic day is guaranteed, with bankside entertainment, music, food and activities for the whole family.

The huge assortment of activities and attractions on offer for visitors, businesses, boaters, and performers to enjoy across the 105-acre site will be sure to keep you entertained when you’re not taking part in the Dragon boat competition.

Crew information

No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!

  • NewWave Events will provide a professional helm to steer the boat.
  • Teams must consist of a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 15 crew members.
  • Within the team there will be 10 crew members to paddle each boat, with a drummer at the front and up to four reserve crew members.
  • Each team is guaranteed three races.
  • Trophies for the overall winner and medals for the top three crews placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall.
  • There will also be a trophy and the prize of 15 admission tickets for Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf, for the team who fundraises the most!
The Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf logo, with a crashed aeroplane, trees and a waterfall

Event packages

Please complete the registration form below.

Following receipt of your completed registration form, one of the team will be in touch to take payment and register your place.

Entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis. No refunds will be given once a registration 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 Sue Ryder.

There are two packages available:

What happens next?

Register your team, using the online registration form.

  1. Once we receive your registration form, one of the fundraising team will be in touch via the contact details provided, to process the appropriate registration fee via:
  • Credit/debit card over the phone
  • Bank transfer
  • Invoices and acknowledgment provided on request

2. Once the registration fee is received, The fundraising team will send across:

  • Information on how to set up your fundraising page
  • An individual form for all your crew to complete

3. Then it is over to you and your crew to paddle with purpose on the 20th July!

Event sponsor

The Paul Riches Skips logo

Register your Dragon Boat team

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