Round up your colleagues, friends and relatives and form yourselves into teams for Watford’s first Dragon Boat Regatta.

Dragon boat racing originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and its history is steeped in magical yet heroic myth. It is now one of the world’s fastest growing water sports, and Peace Hospice Care thought it was high time (and tide) it came to Watford.

In your teams of 11, you’ll be racing your 12-metre-long dragon boat, decorated with a traditional dragon’s head, tail and drum, 200 metres along the Grand Union Canal against other teams. Each boat has ten people providing the power and one drummer to keep you all in time.

Each team will compete in a minimum of three races, with the fastest teams going through to the grand final, with one eventually being crowned the first ever Watford Dragon Boat Champion.

There are 18 team places available, each team needs to pay a registration fee of £350 and raise a minimum sponsorship for Peace Hospice Care.

  • Watford Dragon Boat Regatta will take place on Saturday, May 17. Details: 01923 335365, events@peacehospicecare, peacehospice.co.uk