2020 Dragon Boat Challenge news (4th July 20)

We very much regret that the 2020 Dragon Boat Challenge, which had been rearranged to take place on September 20th,  has now been cancelled along with the Chatham Maritime Trust’s Food and Drink Festival that weekend.  We have been monitoring developments with government guidance  and it has now become clear that with ongoing social restrictions, the health concerns of organisers, traders and visitors and the risks associated with large gatherings, it was going to be impossible to organise, prepare for, and run the event this year.

Bill Parkinson, the “Captain” of the Medway Sunlight Rotary Club Steering Committee said “we are obviously disappointed not to be able to share the Dragon Boat Challenge experience with so many people who enjoy taking part or watching this colourful and fun event that we have staged since 2014 raising more than £60,000 over the last 6 years.  It is also Medway Sunlight’s main fund raising event to support the many organisations in our community and abroad that we help and the coming year will be challenging without that income.

Like every other event that has had to be cancelled this year the safety of those taking part and of spectators was of paramount importance in the discussions with Chatham Maritime Trust who host our event as part of their 3 day Food and Drink Festival. 

However it does enable us to plan for bigger and even better things for next year’s event which will take place on Sunday 30th May 2021 – do please email dragonboat@medwaysunlightrotary.org.uk to be kept up to date on the exciting planning and take a look at the short video of the fun to expect next May - https://bit.ly/2v7EfnP  .

We will be in touch shortly with all teams who entered this year’s Challenge regarding deposits and our planning for next year.”