THE fifth annual Dragon Boat Race organised by Skipton Rotary took place at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, Coniston Cold recently - and it was bigger and better than ever.

Some 20 teams from the local community took part, each raising funds for their own particular charities as diverse as mental health, cancer research, hospices, animal charities and the Settle area swimming pool.

Teams came dressed as pirates, cats and all manner of fancy-dress as they tore across the lake at the Coniston estate, cheered on by family, friends and work colleagues.

"The event has become a regular feature of our fundraising calendar, "said Andrew Gold, organiser and member of Skipton Rotary. "And we’re delighted The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa is willing to help and host the event as well as entering a team."

Amongst the magnificent scenery of the estate the 20 teams, each with 10 rowers and a drummer to keep the paddlers in unison raced three heats across the 200-metre course and then the 12 fastest teams entered the semi-finals with each semi-final winner in a final of four teams racing for the title of champions.

Teams included ‘Settle Serpents’, a team of users and trustees from Settle and District Swimming Pool. Despite a new gas boiler fitted at the pool the recent energy crisis means an average monthly bill of £9,000 just to heat the water so the money raised will help provide a further 52 additional photo-voltaic panels for the roof in order to help reduce the running costs.

Last year’s runners up, Duo Fitness, were returning and hoping to claim the champions’ title. Members of the personal training gym based in Keighley were dressed as pirates whilst raising funds for Baby Lifeline, a national charity supporting frontline NHS staff to prevent injuries and deaths in and around childbirth. The enthusiasm of staff at Skipton Building Society meant they could entry two teams raising funds for Mental Health UK whilst Airedale NHS Foundation Trust also entered two teams raising funds for Airedale Hospital and Community Charity. 2022 winners Craven College, Skipton, also entered seeking to retain their title.

First time competitors were a team from Robertson Construction based in Sheffield. Currently working at Airedale Hospital, the team, headed by Marta Langton had seen the publicity for the Dragon Boat Race and decided they could help. "Once the call had gone out for volunteers then everyone was behind us," said Marta whose team all wore ‘Where’s Wally?’ fancy dress.

Also first timers were a team from Eccles Greenwood, a financial planning group based in Padiham, Burnley. They were raising funds for new equipment at Brooklands School in Skipton with a team comprising colleagues, family and friends of the school.

Many teams had come determined to make a splash and entered in fancy dress. Holly House Vets came dressed as cats, complete with face paint and raised funds for the Yorkshire Cat Rescue in Leeds. Judged the ‘Best Dressed Team’, nurse and rower Amanda Stevenson said "We’ve had a fantastic day."

Both Pendleside Hospice and Martin House Children’s Hospice as well as the Trussell Trust were worthy beneficiaries of teams raising funds for them, whilst the ‘battle of the construction companies’ saw ADNC, Triton Construction and Skipton Properties take part.

Aiming to raise a clear £1,000 for the Skipton Extended Learning for All (SELFA) were members from Holt Doctors, a medical recruitment agency based in Skipton.

Once the final had taken place ‘To Infinity and Beyondly’, one of two teams entered by Beyondly Global Ltd was crowned the 2023 winner with a course record on 0.55.27 seconds. Beyondly Global, based at Broughton Hall, is an environmental consultancy group which was raising funds for Skipton based children's charity, The Principle Trust, a charity well known locally.

"We’ve had a brilliant day and we’re over the moon that we won", said Hayley Whitehead from Beyondly.

Louise Bolton, Director at the Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, said: "We are so pleased to be able to help local organisation raise funds for their chosen charities, and it’s a pleasure to work with Skipton Rotary in making the day such a success."

Andrew Gold said: "Once all the donations and pledges have been received it is expected the day will have raised just over £18,000. And we owe a huge thank you to all who played a part to achieve that."

"This is another fantastic effort by all those teams involved," added David Newall, Skipton Rotary President. "And thank you to everyone involved who've worked so hard to make it a success."

Next year's Dragon Boat Racing Regatta is due to take place on Sunday, May 12. To receive more details on how to take part, email: andrew.gold@skiptonrotary.org