A COLD and choppy River Thames could not deter thousands of people from turning out for Abingdon’s annual dragon boat event.

The popular competition attracted a record 32 teams and about 2,000 spectators to Ryegrass Meadow yesterday.

Organised by the Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club for the 11th year, the day featured 49 races and a host of bankside entertainment including craft stalls, live music, a funfair and children’s games.

Competitor Philip Waddy of West Waddy Architects, based in East St Helen Street, said: “It’s our firm’s 125th anniversary this year so we thought we would put in a team.

“We won our first race, but I’m not sure we’re quite as quick as some of the others.

“It’s a really well-organised event. It’s a real boost to Abingdon and it raises so much for charity.

“It gets the town reconnected with the river.”

After more than six hours of races on the 250-metre course, Abingdon School were crowned the overall winners, beating teams from Thames Valley Police, the Diocese of Oxford, Sophos, Mencap, Abingdon School and others.

Spectator Simon West, 26, said: “It’s a shame it’s a bit cold and wet, but it’s a really good event and it’s good for the town.”

Sulwen Vaughan, president of the Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club, said the event, which last year raised £30,000, took nine months to organise.

She said: “It’s our biggest event and also I think the biggest event for Abingdon.

“It’s very much focused on the local community and trying to boost Abingdon.”

Fellow Rotary Club member David Wilde said: “We’re hoping to get more than 2,000 people here.

“We had 16 teams last year but we’ve raised it to 32 and we had to cap it at that.

“It’s really good team-building event and great for the town.”