The Christchurch River Pageant run by the Rotary Clubs of Christchurch and Boscombe & Southbourne takes place on 16th August 2025 and aims to raise money for 3 amazing local charities. The pageant will be a fabulous fundraising event featuring a parade of decorated floats – boats, canoes, SUPs, homemade rafts and more – along the River Stour in Christchurch. The pageant will be followed by team Dragon boat racing and takes place alongside the Christchurch Carnival.

Our local charities:

Hengistbury Head Outdoors is a recently created charity whose goal is to take over the disused Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre and run it as a facility for local people to participate in a wide range of outdoor activities and sports.

Bourne Water Dragons (BWD) is an inclusive dragon boating team on the River Stour for all cancer survivors, enabling them to stay active and enjoy themselves by participating in local dragon boating activities which have been shown to aid cancer recovery.

Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Survivors’ Dragon Boat Team was established by a group of breast cancer patients alongside the breast cancer team at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Dragon Boating is excellent exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors and has been shown to improve physical and mental wellbeing for those who take part regularly.

Donations

We would be very grateful for any donations, however small, from event participants and the local community. Please donate now to help these 3 charities continue their important work.

If you are participating in the pageant here are some suggested donations. These are not obligatory, any donation would be gratefully received:

Stand Up Paddleboards, Kayaks, canoes: £5

Small Boats: £10

Large Boats: £25

Corporate entries: at your discretion

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We have already raised £1250 from Rotary Charities & the Primrose Trust & we are hoping to smash the target !!

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Would you like to participate in the pageant?

If you own a boat, are a canoeist or paddleboarder, or fancy making your own raft then come and join the pageant.

For more information and to register please see https://christchurchrotary.org.uk/christchurch-river-pageant/.

The theme for the fancy dress is Christchurch’s rich and varied history – think smugglers, pirates….

Come and join us, either on the water or as a spectator!