Racing to keep their titles

Competition across the harbour is looking pretty stiff ahead of the Wellington Dragon Boat Festival.

Per head of capita, Wellington has the most dragon boaters in the country and event manager Angela Sargeant expected a good number of people to turn out to watch the races - provided the weather cooperated.

‘‘If the sun comes out we do get a good turnout,’’ she said, ‘‘especially along the waterfront.’’

Women’s team Hutt Valley Heat won the women’s grand final last year with a time of one minute and 30.65 seconds. The defending champions will face tough competition this year, as 58 teams will be racing across the two days this weekend, March 11 and 12.

‘‘Last year we had lots of swells and [Hutt Valley Heat] rode to the finish line on a big wave. They did extremely well.’’

In the college competition, Heretaunga College and Upper Hutt College will be going head-to-head in their races. Last year’s defending champions for the boys, St Patrick’s Silverstream will be racing against some tough competition too, as St Bernard’s College will be entering its first team this year.

The school’s rugby team have taken up dragon boat racing ahead of their rugby season.

In the girls races, St Oran’s College will be competing to keep their title.

This year, the adults will be racing on Saturday March 11 and the college teams on the Sunday. The races are held along Wellington’s waterfront, with a free grandstand provided at the finish line at Frank Kitts Promenade.

Food stalls and Chinese performers will be set up across the weekend for spectators and spot prizes will be given out for people dressed up to support their teams.

The competition began 30 years ago and started as a corporate racing event. Now, teams from across New Zealand and Australia come together to compete for the top spots.