Following several years of developing the sport of Dragon boating within the Bradford district, the Youth Championship has firmly become an integral part of the hugely successful Bradford Dragon Boat Festival.
There will again be TWO competitions on the Youth Day,
held on Friday 27 June 2025 on the river Aire at Robert’s park in Saltaire.
Youth Championship - Day Event
09h00 – 14h45
The event has two categories and is limited to only 25 teams
Primary & Junior (Years 6-9) // Senior (Years 10-13)
Youth Championship - Evening Event
18h00 – 21h00
The evening event has two categories and is limited to only 15 teams
Junior (Teams aged 11-14) & Senior (Teams aged 15-19)
The competition is open to any school, youth or community group throughout the UK who work with young people aged between 11 – 19.
This day is co-hosted by the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival Committee, Bradford Adventure Development Team and Race the Dragon Ltd.
Where is the event?
Roberts Park
Higher Coach Rd
Shipley BD17 7LU
Event information
The day starts off at 8:30 with participant check in, after which the first teams will be called up for their safety briefing. Each team is given a full safety briefing before their first race, which along with best paddle technique and how to stop the boat capsizing as well as what to do in the event of a capsize. Race The Dragon wristbands will then be issued to every team member at the briefing, which then allows them access to the waterside of the event and the dragon boats.
A dragon boat team has a maximum 16 paddlers and a drummer per race. You may wish to have additional team members to rotate between races during the day.
Racing is over a course of 200 meters with the start just beyond the cricket pavilion and the finish in front on the crowds in Roberts Park. Each team will have a minimum three timed races where their single fastest time only will count for Grand Final qualification. What this means is, even if two of your races are both disasters, one great time is still all you need to be in with a good chance of going through to the Grand Final race.
Photo Gallery
Are you ready to “Race The Dragon”?
Youth Championship
Youth
Championship
Following several years of developing the sport of Dragon boating within the Bradford district, the Youth Championship has firmly become an integral part of the hugely successful Bradford Dragon Boat Festival. There will again be TWO competitions on the Youth Day!
Lord Mayors Championship
Lord Mayors Championship
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Gerry Barker, has chosen Bradford Cinderella Club as his charity of the year 2023-24, provided treats to underprivileged children since its first event in Thackley Woods in 1890.
Multi Charities Championship
Multi Charities
Championship
Dragon Boat Racing is seen today as the UK’s ultimate team sport, the festival is open to teams to enter from local companies, sports clubs & social clubs – The perfect way to fundraise and support either a festival partner charity of a charity of your team’s choice.