Event Organiser: Sunderland Heritage Quarter is a regeneration project for the East End of Sunderland. This historic area was once the hub of Sunderland's great industrial port and retains many significant buildings, including Holy Trinity Church, the Victorian Orphanage and the Donnison School. We aim to use the past to breathe new life into the district and lead an East End revival.

Event Information: The event is made up of teams, racing three times over the course of the day and those with the best times will compete in a final. Each team has 12-16 paddlers and a drummer keeping the ‘heartbeat' rhythm which the paddlers follow. Participants must be over 12 years of age and competent enough to swim 50m supported by a buoyancy aid. It is a novice event and no prior experience is required.