The Derian Destroyers from PRP and with their second round time of 0.59.83 were second fastest qualifyers, leaving Robbo Dingy Rapids from Pro-Fit Personal Training Manchester with the fastest time of the qualifying heats, 0.55.26.

The team captains were called up the Race Control where a draw for lanes was made and once each captain had drawn their selection, the boats were loaded and paddled away. In Lane 1: Smasher the Devourer. Lane 2: The Derian Destroyers, Lane 3: Captain Coe’s Crew and in Lane 4: Robbo Dingy Rapids.

£15,779 is the current total for the sums raised for charity at last year's Salford Dragon Boat Festival.

At the half way point, it was still a three horse race with Smasher the Devourer in Lane 1 just marginally ahead of The Derian Destroyers and Robbo Dingy Rapids as Captain Coe’s Crew faded into forth place.

In the final stages however there was a change of leader as Robbo Dingy Rapids in Lane 4 surged ahead and crossed the line half a boat length up on Smasher the Devourer, who in turn were quater of a boat length up on The Derian Destroyers in Lane 2.

The final times were:

1st placed: Robbo Dingy Rapids with a NEW fastest time of the day ... 0.53.39.
2nd placed: Smasher the Devourer with a six second improvement on their best time ... 0.55.32
3rd placed: The Derian Destroyers who also had their best time of the day ... 0.55.95
4th placed: Captain Coe’s Crew with 1.04.50