Chippenham Dragon Boat Festival – A Day of Racing, Music, and Community Spirit
This event was truly one of a kind! Sponsored by Chippenham Borough Lands Charity and Chippenham Town Council, the festival offered far more than just dragon boat racing — it was a full day of family fun. Alongside the races, visitors enjoyed bouncy castles, mini rugby sessions, and a live band performing throughout the day, creating a brilliant atmosphere for all ages.
The event began at 10am, with 10 enthusiastic teams arriving, full of energy and ready for the challenge ahead. Team chants echoed around the venue as families and spectators poured in to enjoy the racing and the many extra attractions.
The weather was warm, spirits were high, and everyone was eager to get on the water. In the very first round, competition was fierce — and Team Ultrawarmers set the benchmark early with an incredible time of 1 minute 06.43 seconds, a record that stood unbeaten for the rest of the day!
While the main focus was on the thrilling dragon boat races, the festival also had a strong charitable purpose, raising thousands of pounds for good causes. The local community showed amazing support, with over 30 stalls, raffles, and games — each contributing to multiple charities in their own way.
Every team had their own marquee base, supplied and installed by Race The Dragon, providing a perfect spot to rest, refuel, and soak up the lively event atmosphere between races.
As the day went on, three more competitive rounds took place, with teams giving it their all in pursuit of the Chippenham Dragon Boat Champion 2015 title. The Spring Boarders, Amber Team, and Ragnal Arms proved to be strong contenders, each recording impressive times averaging around 1:08:00 — just seconds behind the leaders.
The combination of exciting races, family entertainment, and strong community support made the Chippenham Dragon Boat Festival an unforgettable celebration of teamwork, fun, and local spirit.
