poole park DRAGON BOAT FEsTIVAL 2027
THE PLACE
Poole Park - Dorset
BH15 1TU
THE DATE
Saturday 1st May 2027
YOUR CREW
16 paddlers + 1 drummer
ENTRY PRICING
£tbc
Per team including VAT
A GREAT DAY. A LOCAL CAUSE.
Make waves for what matters.
Dragon Boat Events returns to Poole Park for an open regatta welcoming teams from charities and other organisations. Choose a charity or local cause, gather your crew and enjoy a day racing together.
Aim to raise £500 for your chosen cause, including a school PTA if you wish. There is no penalty if you raise less. If you have not chosen a cause, please consider raising money for Stable Family Home Trust, which supports local people with learning disabilities.
200m
Short course. Big cheers.
It’s a sprint, not a marathon. We choose this distance to make the event accessible to everyone.
3 heats
Your single fastest time.
The aim is to give each team at least three races. Your fastest time determines whether you qualify for the final.
your cause
Give the day a purpose.
Support a charity or local cause of your choice.
ENTRY AND FUNDRAISING
ONE crew. a shared goal.
EARLY BIRD ENTRY
£TBC
per team including VAT
Available until date tbc
STANDARD ENTRY
£TBC
per team including VAT
This entry price is from date tbc
FUNDRAISING
£500
team fundraising aim. We’d love you to raise money for a local cause. There’s no penalty if you don’t reach the fundraising aim.
BUILD YOUR CREW
16 paddlers. One Drummer. One Team.
A full boat has 17 participants, with an experienced DBE helm steering. We recommend a minimum of 10 paddlers, with a drummer required for every race. Reserves can rotate between races.
✓ Participants aged 12 and over (AALA accredited)
✓ No previous dragon boat experience needed
✓ You can enter more than one team
✓ Each team needs enough paddlers without sharing
✓ Contact us in advance about access or support needs
WHAT’S PROVIDED
You bring the crew. we bring the kit.
Boats, equipment, experienced helms and safety briefings are provided. Our experienced team provides coaching throughout the day. Gazebo hire is available.
✓ Dragon boats, paddles and buoyancy aids
✓ Experienced helm and on-water instruction
✓ Safety briefings
✓ Timed racing: aim of three heats, plus a final for qualifying crews
PLAN YOUR DAY
A base by the water.
Find the green beside the car park and make a base for your crew.
GETTING THERE
Poole Park
The green next to Poole Park Car Park, Mount Pleasant Road, Poole.
BH15 1TU
There are car parks within the park, street parking and the Dolphin Centre a short walk away.
Please leave the venue tidy
Keep your team area comfortable during the day and leave it clean, with rubbish in the local bins, when you go.
Your team’s home for the day.
Find the event using what3words: ///those.hello.bleak.
Bring a gazebo or tent, or hire one from DBE. Teams generally use a 3 × 3m gazebo. Plots are first come, first served unless an access requirement or larger gazebo has been discussed in advance.
There are no lockers. Leave belongings with a responsible person on land, and bring a change of clothes. Food and drink are available to buy during the day.
Please leave your plot clean and tidy, putting rubbish in the local bins.
OPTIONAL GAZEBO HIRE
Arrive to a ready-made base.
Gazebos are set up and taken down for you. Prices include VAT
Size Hire Price
3 × 3 metres £120
6 × 3 metres £170
FAQs
Your crew’s questions, answered.
-
None! We provide all the training you need on the day. Your team receives a safety briefing before racing.
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A full boat has 16 paddlers and one drummer: 17 participants, plus the DBE helm. We recommend at least 10 paddlers, with a drummer required. Larger squads can rotate subs between races; each team should have enough paddlers without relying on sharing between teams.
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We recommend participants are at least 12 years old as we require all participants to be able to safely sit in the Dragon Boat unaided and respond to commands. We are an AALA licenced provider.
There is no age limit, size or fitness requirements. It is the sport for everyone.
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Absolutely. All we require is that participants are able to safely sit in the Dragon Boat unaided and respond to commands.
Contact us in advance about access or support needs so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
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Swimming ability is not required all we ask is that you are comfortable in water in the unlikely event of a capsize. Everyone wears a buoyancy aid, with an experienced helm aboard and a safety boat alongside.
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We recommend light weight sports type clothes that you are happy to get wet as you are likely to get splashed. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. There are no lockers. Leave belongings with a responsible person on land at your team base.