DRAGON boaters took to the lake at Coniston recently on a perfect spring day and raised a magnificent more than £20,000 for local good causes, writes Nicky Shoesmith.

Following a break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual Skipton Rotary Dragon Boat Race returned to the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate and Spa.

A total of 18 teams from Craven businesses and organisations raced with rowers and a drummer to keep them all synchronised along a 200 metre course across the lake.

Each of the teams took part in three heats with the fastest going through to semi-finals and to the very close final between four remaining teams with the eventual winners -All Theory, No Practice from Craven College

Airedale Hospital and Community Charity benefited from the support of three teams - Rainbow Rockets One and Two captained by Jennie Tennant, and the ‘The Pfizer Chiefs’ captained by Jacinda Vernon.

Jennie Tennant said: “The teams from each department within the hospital were aiming to raise as much money as possible and the sense of competition was enormous.”

Architects, Bowman Riley's team, dressed in hula skirts and Leis, captained by James Barnes; and Selfish Spirit’s team, dressed as pirates and captained by Fred Harman both supported Dementia Forward.

A spokesperson for Selfish Spirits said: "We feel very strongly about the charity, as many of us have been affected either directly or indirectly by dementia."

The Principle Trust Children’s Charity fielded a strong team captained by Simon Thomas. Due to the size of the perch for the drummer a 12 yr old was brought in to help support the team.

The final included previous winning team, Nadarra, from the Coniston Hotel, which was raising funds for the This is Luke appeal. Other Finalists were The Selfish Spirits Company, Duo Fitness Studio along with winners, Craven College, taking the trophy by the narrowest of margins.

The best dressed team prize went to Skipton Pop Eighties team from Skipton Properties which was also supporting The Principle Trust Children's Charity.

Andrew Gold, Skipton Rotary’s event organiser, said: “This event has raised over £20,000 for the range of charities supported by the teams. Thanks go to everyone involved in making it such a great success.”

Any business or organisation interested in entering a team for Skipton Rotary’s next Dragon Boat event on May 14 next year, can register their interest by emailing andrew.gold@skiptonrotary.org

For more pictures go to: www.facebook.com/skiptonrotary .