Terms & Conditions of Entry

1. Crew Numbers

Crews may register up to 13 people in their team, but a maximum crew of 10 people (subject to overall weight of the crew and the
prevailing conditions) plus a drummer will be permitted to enter each race. In the opinion of the helm, where the weight of the crew or conditions on the day makes safe boat handling a problem, the boat’s helm has the absolute authority to require the crew to reduce the number of paddlers.
No refunds or reductions will be offered for crews competing or entering with less than the prescribed number.

2. Drummers

Every team must have a drummer for each race.

3. Water safety – swimming

All able-bodied crew members must be declared competent in deep water and capable of swimming 50 metres with the aid of an approved personal flotation device (buoyancy aid). Such buoyancy aids will be provided by Race The Dragon Ltd for competitors’ use whilst on the water.

4. Disqualification

In circumstances where any team member(s) are, in the opinion of any official from Race The Dragon Ltd. under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is deliberately trying to capsize the boat or behaving in such a way that could result in danger to the crew or damage to the boats, those officials have the
authority to disqualify the team member(s) from further participation in the event. Where such person(s) is (are) disqualified but refuse to leave the crew, it is the responsibility of the Team Captain to remove the disqualified person(s). If the disqualified person(s) still refuse(s) to leave, then the whole team may be disqualified from further participation in the day. No refund will be due to any person or team disqualified and the Event Director’s decision is final.

5. Special Needs

For safety, where any team member(s) has a physical impairment or other special needs, this fact must be conveyed to the boat’s helm prior to each race. They will then be issued with a hi-vis top to be worn over their buoyancy aid whilst in the boat.

6. Previous experience

No previous experience of Dragon Boat Racing is necessary in order to compete, and all crews compete at their own risk.

7. Safety Brief

All team members are required to partake in the team safety brief before the start of their first race. Your safety brief will cover:

• How to hold the paddle correctly and the best paddle stroke to use.
• The various commands you will hear from the Helm and what each one means.
• How to move the boat forward and how to stop the boat.
• How to stop the boat capsizing.
• The “Buddy-Buddy” system and what to do in the event of a capsize.

At the completion of the safety brief, all team members present will be issued with a coloured wrist band, and only those people wearing these wrist bands
will be permitted into the dragon boats.

8. Minimum Age

In the interests of safety, a minimum age of twelve years old is set for competitors and the drummer.

9. Cancellation

The entry fee is non-refundable except where clause 10 applies.

Teams withdrawing: Entry will not be confirmed until a minimum of £100 deposit has been received. Teams that subsequently withdraw before 15th May will forfeit the deposit. For teams withdrawing on or after the 15th of May 2023, 100% of the total entry fee will be due.

10. Late Payments

The festival organisers reserve the right to charge a £20.00 administration fee for all payments not completed by 17:00 on the Thursday, 15th June 2023.

11. Sponsorship

The £440 per team entry fee covers the cost of staging the event and is not part of the sponsorship money we expect teams to raise in addition. If you would like to raise money for Rotary’s good causes, or your own, please contact us prior to doing so: [email protected].

12. Head-to-Head Races

For companies or organisations that have two or more teams entering, we will endeavour to organise (where possible) a Head-to-Head Race in round three and seed the teams in such a way that they do not meet during rounds one and two. This then gives the teams the opportunity to experience several ‘training’ rounds before their big event.

We suggest that any company or organisation with teams competing in a Head-to-Head Race organise trophy shields for presentation to their teams.
At the award ceremony, the most senior member of the company in attendance will be invited to come forward to present that shield to their winning team. This would be a great photo opportunity for the company website or newsletter. 

13. Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Should legislation be put in place that results in the cancellation of Northwich River Festival 2023, or any part thereof, the organisers’ liability will be limited to the refunding of any entry fees paid. The organisers cannot be held responsible for any other costs incurred by a team in connection with its entry to the event.

14. Crew Declaration

For insurances purposes, in the highly unlikely event of a member having a dragon boat-related accident, only the persons listed on the Crew Declaration will be covered by the insurance policy. It is therefore essential that all team members complete the Crew Declaration form by 1st July 2023.

Terms & Conditions for Site Usage

If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Groundwork CLM’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website. Groundwork CLM are the accountable body for Northwich BID, a project support Northwich Rotary Club with the Northwich River Festival event.

The term ‘Groundwork CLM’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is 74-80 Hallgate, Wigan, WN1 1HP. Our charity registration number is 514727. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

• The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
• This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences and service orders.
• Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
• This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
• All trade marks reproduced in this website which are not the property of, or licensed to, the operator are acknowledged on the website.
• Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
• From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
• Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.