KRO rows to second place!

KRO rows to second place!

The England squad could learn a thing or two from KRO bar and restaurant’s Dragon Boat team as they romped to second place in Sunday’s (20th June 2010) Salford Dragon Boat Race at Ontario Basin in Salford Quays!

The Manchester based company had a 17-strong team, complete with Viking hats, which showed power and determination worthy of any historical battle ship. The team, made up of 16 rowers and the all important drummer in little Eric Ruby, clocked up some astonishing times as they raced the 200m course in their three qualification rounds and were just pipped to the post by 0.51 of a second in the final!


KRO owner Mark Ruby, along with his family and friends, enjoyed the day’s festivities in the glorious sunshine. He said of the day, “We really weren’t sure what to expect from today as none of us have ever been involved in dragon boat racing before but it has been a great day and we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, despite just missing out on first place!

The KRO team were raising money for Foundation, a climate change fund for the North West which raises money by collecting donations from businesses and individuals and uses them to fund creative carbon reduction projects in communities across the North West. Sponsorship money is still coming in and will be combined with the 10p contributions from every side order purchased in KRO’s six city-centre bars and restaurants. Foundation’s Business Development Manager David Marnell, who was also part of the silver medallist KRO Dragon Boat team, explains, “We hope to use the money raised to support carbon reduction projects in Manchester. On behalf of Foundation I would like to thank KRO for all their efforts in supporting our charity.”



The event was the first open Charity Dragon Boat Race to be held in Salford. The day was made up of 12 teams, none of whom had experienced dragon boat racing before, which made for an evenly matched contest. Dragon Boat Festival Events organiser Julian Thursfield commented, “There were a lot of nervous people milling around wondering just what they had got themselves into!” But they day went off without a hitch and Julian hopes to return to Salford for a bigger and better event next year.

Dragon Boating is a sport that originated in China some 2.000 years ago. Dragon Boat Events Ltd, the UK's largest dragon boat provider helps raise over £1 million for charity every year through its dragon boat events. Most of these events are closed events in that they are organised by and for the benefit of, one particular charity. The Salford Dragon Boat Festival however is different. Set up as an Open Festival, the event is open to all charities, both large and small in and around the Greater Manchester area to benefit from.

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Posted: Tuesday 22nd June 2010
ID: 3844 - 501