Dragon boats have been out on Preston’s Docks training hard for the national finals this weekend.

Preston’s Dragon Boat Club have been handed a boost thanks to the city’s university donating them a new boat.

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The Spirit of Preston, a 40ft fibreglass boat, was being used by the University of Central Lancashire’s own race squad and Confucius Institute.

More than 50 people row for the city’s dragon boat racing team and they are heading to Nottingham on Saturday (23 September) and Sunday (24 September) to compete.

Founder of the Preston Dragons Sue Cameron said: “We are so grateful to the Confucius Institute for getting behind our club and supporting us in this magnificent way. We are looking forward to strengthening our links with the University and working together to make dragon boating even more accessible to the students of the University and the people of Preston.”

During a ceremony at the Docks on Tuesday (19 September) the new boat was unveiled by the Mayor of Preston councillor Brian Rollo.

Vice president of international strategy at UCLan Tim Steele said: “The University is proud to continue to support the work of our Confucius Institute, which last year engaged over 15,000 people in the Preston community in a wide range of its events and courses.

“Dragon boat racing in the UK has really taken off in recent years and it’s something that people can enjoy irrespective of age or gender. We hope to introduce this very Chinese water sport to more local schools and colleges by organising our own races in the future. We are delighted to be able to sponsor this new dragon boat, in partnership with Preston Dragons, as we continue to promote the opportunities for the people of Preston to learn about and experience Chinese culture.”