Making Waves and The Wedding Splashers among the champions at Oulton Broad’s Dragon Boat Festival

Crowds gathered in Oulton Broad yesterday to watch teams take to the water for the annual East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival.

Eastern Daily Press: East Anglian Dragon Boat festival on Oulton Broad Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2017. East Anglian Dragon Boat festival on Oulton Broad Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2017. (Image: Archant 2017)

Twenty crews from across the region took part in the event at Nicholas Everitt Park, with over £6,000 raised for East Coast Hospice.

Medals and trophies were awarded to the top three crews, mixed crew, best dressed crew and charity champions.

Carol Lester, director of Gable Events, which organised the festival, said: 'It was a great day, we had some excellent feedback from the crews participating in the races and it was pleasing how many local people came down to cheer on the teams and take part in the activities in Nicholas Everitt Park.

'The sun came out in the afternoon and the crowds were able to enjoy a flypast by a Battle of Britain spitfire and some superb dance performances put on by the students from Venue of Performing Arts.

'The funds raised by the crews will be very welcome to help support East Coast Hospice in their aim to build the first inpatient hospice unit for the Waveney and Great Yarmouth area.'

The champions were the Making Waves team from Aquaterra Energy Ltd, with Netmatters Ltd in second and the Pelican Power team from James Fisher Marine Services in third.

The mixed crew champions were The Wedding Splashers from Southwood Hall, followed by Howes Percival LLP in second and the Mind the GAAP team from Lowewell Blake in third.

The crown for the best dressed crew went to British Sugar, under the name Boatish Sugar, with members dressed as Minions. And the charity champions were Netmatters Ltd, who raised over £1,000 on the day for the cause.

As well as the racing, teams and supporters enjoyed a funfair, food stalls and a bar, along with the chance to find out more about East Coast Hospice and its aim to provide an independent hospice serving the Waveney and Yarmouth area.

Jeff Wood, ECH community fundraiser, said: 'The festival is a wonderful day for colleagues to get together, cheered on by their families and friends. We really appreciate the continuing support of the community and local companies to help us 'Raise the Roof' of Margaret Chadd house.'