Shrewsbury dragon boat festival: 45 oar-some pictures of rowers splashing on a glorious day of racing - can you spot anyone you know?
There were thrills and spills as dragon boat racers splish splashed along the River Severn in a bid for glory.
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Shrewsbury’s popular Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Race kicked off today (Saturday, July 19) from Pengwern Boat Club, opposite the Quarry, as crowds were entertained by hardy crews, aiming to deliver in oarsome style.
The annual event, which is also running tomorrow, is expected to feature a total of 52 teams with paddles in hand, in fancy dress, all ready to battle it out while raising money for the hospice.
Ahoy! One racer has a look of apprehension at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival
The Top Goat VIER team from RAF Shawbury emerged victorious on Saturday, with 2 Can Army the runners up and Cool Runnings completing the podium.
Cool Runnings did manage to pick up a gold though for being the best fundraisers, earning the hospice £3,060.
The winners of the Best Fancy Dress award on Saturday were Team Fluffy, who impressed judges with their Star Wars themed outfits.
Team Fluffy were the Saturday fancy dress winners at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival
Heather Tudor, chief executive of the hospice, said: “It’s been just amazing. We’ve done it for I don’t know how many years, but it just goes from strength to strength.
“What really makes me happy is this is our community, supporting the hospice. They keep coming back every year with energy and commitment.
“It shows they know how important it is to have a hospice in their community.
“We need them more than we ever have.”
A few Jamaican flags were being waved at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival, possibly in support of the Cool Runnings teamSpectators were glued to the dragon boat racing from both sides of the riverThis team had no need to worry about stray oars with their hard hats on at Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThere was an eclectic selection of weird and wonderful outfits on showSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalA young spectator takes a drink at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThe festival had a carnival atmosphere, with a wide selection of fancy dress costumes wornPaws up if you love the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival!Drummers kept the rowers in time at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThis year's Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival was a competitive affairRowers hard at work at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalA close race captured from above at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalPengwern Boat Club was busy for the festivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat Festival went down a storm once again on SaturdayThe River Severn looked tranquil on SaturdaySevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalA bunch of mad hatters bomb down the River Severn at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThese rowers make a splash at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSHROPSHIRE COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD TIM STURGESS 19/07/25Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSome spectators grabbed a bird's eye view of the racing from Kingsland BridgeRacing gets competitive in a tight encounter at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalConnor and Evie Owen at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalBy royal appointment: This team looked to take home the crown at Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalCrowns and multi-coloured afros were the headgear of choice for this team at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalStacey Wirizlay and Harmeet Bamsal brought a splash of colour to the dragon boat festivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalAll aboard at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThe riverbank was packed with eager rowers and their supporters at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalFeisty one you are! Steph Pritchard as Yoda at the Severn Hospice Dragon Boat Festival. Team Fluffy were the fancy dress winners in their Star Wars costumesThe Water Warriors preparing to take on the tranquil River Severn, rather than the high seasSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalThe Warriors brought the disco vibes to the River SevernThe Clucking Crew get ready to flap their feathers along the River SevernYvonne Millard and Kirsty Locking were all smiles at the festivalSevern Hospice Dragon Boat FestivalHarrison Craister brings disco style to proceedings at the dragon boat festival
The 40ft-long dragon boats, supplied by Dragon Boat Events, are expertly helmed by experienced national and international rowers, with up to 16 paddlers and one energetic drummer onboard to keep the rhythm.
The sky may have been a little grey at moments and the heavens may have opened once or twice, but no-one was raining on the parade in Shrewsbury, where there was a carnival atmosphere for the whole family.
And the sun shone for the final race everyone had been waiting for.
As well as the action on the river, there were homemade treats, snacks, and drinks served up by the hospice’s outdoor catering team from its Refresh cafe.
The charity’s retail team have also been on hand selling pre-loved items in a dedicated pop-up shop.
The festival plays a crucial role in raising funds for the hospice, which needs more than £15 million annually to deliver its specialist care.
In April, the hospice launched its £1 million Pounds for Perry appeal in aid of a £3 million project to renovate and future-proof its Perry Ward in Shrewsbury.
Perry is the hospice’s oldest ward and has been providing care since 1989.
Last year’s Dragon Boat Festival raised £105,000 and it is hoped this year’s event will beat that total.
The hospice costs more than £26,500 per day to keep services running.
