Dragon Boat racing is set to make its debut in Newcastle in a blaze of colour and sound and organisers are looking for more teams to get involved.
The visual spectacular will see rival boats filled with up to 16 team-mates - and a drummer - bring racing action to the River Tyne in September.
Dragon Boat racing is a Chinese tradition that involves paddling a wooden boat, featuring decorative dragon heads and tails, to the rhythmic beat of a drum which is said to be the dragon's heartbeat.
It's all about synchronised movements and Newcastle's debut event is inviting people to make up teams to take up the racing challenge - all in a good cause.
The first ever Dragon Boat Race will take place on September 14 from 10am until around 5.30pm - depending on the number of teams taking part - and three boats at a time will go head to head along a 250m-long course.
The route, which will take in the tides of the Tyne, will be marked out between the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Bridge and the rowers, paddling to the beat of the on-board drummer, will be competing for the inaugural title of Dragon Boat Champions.
Proceeds raised from the event will go towards two chosen charities: Tiny Lives and the Fire Fighters Charity.
The boats can hold between 11 and 16 challengers, as well as the drummer, and Phil Pugh, one of the organisers, is hoping for 20 teams to enlist.
He said: "Bringing a Dragon Boat Race is a great way to show what our river and beautiful city has to offer.
"It is going to be a fun filled, happy day, irrespective of the weather."
The challenge could appeal to friends and family as well as workmates and the first-of-a-kind opportunity promises to be both a good workout and a unique way to enjoy the iconic riverbank scenery from a unique vantage point.
Already NE1 Ltd business improvement district company NE1 Ltd, which is supporting the event, has registered to compete as a team-building exercise, as has Quayside-based company St James Wealth Management Fund whose "team leader" Mark Beverley said: "It is great to have the opportunity of taking our team onto the water and see the city from a completely different perspective."
The festival fun atmosphere of the event will extend to NE1’s pop-up beach on Newcastle Quayside where there will be food stalls and live entertainment during the afternoon for the Dragon Boat racers, supporters and spectators.
Tariq Albassam, head of operations at NE1 Ltd, said that animating the river is one of the pledges of company's business plan and that such events as this "help bring new life to the river and to the Quayside".
He added: "We can’t wait to compete in the race.
"It will be a great team building exercise - as long as everyone pulls their weight and helps us to win!"
Those interested in taking part have an option of three packages.
A bronze package, of boat only, costs £550 which works out at £34.50 per person for a full team of 16 people.
A silver package, comprising boat fee plus a food and drinks voucher for each participant is £750 and a premium gold package, which consists of all the elements of silver plus full film footage of the day, with interviews, is £950.
Phil and co-organiser Paul are also creating a boat for those who want to take part as individuals and are happy to join up with others in a similar position to make a team.
For further information, or to book, call Phil on 07737 362 405 or email philip@adeptcts.co.uk or Paul on 07989 431 697; email hoppo3892@gmail.com
