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Video: Dragonboats bring fun to the Leeds waterfont
A SMALL army of skeletons, Mexican soldiers, Vikings and even ballerinas paddled at top speed into a Leeds dock.
The water-borne fancy dress party – which also included hula girls, smurfs and pirates – was the Leeds Community Foundation Dragon Boat Festival.
Over two days at Clarence Dock, 36 different teams climbed carefully into 40 ft long dragon boats before paddling full pelt along the course.
Spirit
The 16-strong teams kept in pace in the traditional way, paddling to the boom of a big bass drum.
The squads were drawn from Leeds businesses and services.
Andy McNulty appeared as Papa Smurf with a team of Smurfs from quantity surveyors Davis Langdon. He said: "It's great for team spirit and a good laugh as well. It's the first time in a dragon boat for nearly all of us so we're here to give it our best shot and have some fun."
Leeds Community Foundation works to distribute funds to groups working in some of the city's most disadvantaged communities.
This year, the foundation is to spread the money raised from the boat racing around groups which help vulnerable Leeds children.
Spokeswoman Amanda Wingfield said: "It is such a good cause and we were delighted to see such a great turnout. We chose Clarence Dock because it has an amphi-theatre-like feel, spectators can get such a good view, and it has worked really well.
"We really appreciate everyone's support."
The festival, held yesterday and on Saturday, was backed by the YEP.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
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