The annual Dragon Boat Race returned to The Greenbank on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July this summer, bringing a vibrant weekend of racing, food and drink to the harbour. For the first time, the event was extended to two days, giving spectators and competing teams even more opportunity to enjoy the action from the waterfront.
Teams of up to 20 people took to the water in colourful, canoe-like vessels, racing from The Greenbank’s pontoons as spectators gathered outside The Working Boat pub to cheer them on with a bite to eat and a pint in hand.
As part of this year’s event, The Greenbank partnered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), donating 10% of food and drink proceeds from The Working Boat across the weekend. The initiative raised a total of £1,016 for the charity, which provides a vital lifeboat service around the UK and Ireland, as well as seasonal lifeguarding on beaches.
The RNLI holds particular significance in Falmouth, a town with a long-standing connection to the sea and a community that relies on the dedication and bravery of its volunteer lifeboat crews.
Matt Garland, General Manager at The Greenbank, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have hosted the Dragon Boat Race again this year and to have been able to support such an important organisation as the RNLI. Living and working in a town like Falmouth, we see every day just how important the sea is to our community, but also the risks that come with it. The work of the RNLI and its volunteers is absolutely vital, and we’re delighted that our Dragon Boat weekend has helped raise over £1,000 towards the incredible work they do.”
Dave Nicoll, Fundraising & Partnership lead for the RNLI said: “The Falmouth RNLI really appreciate the efforts of the Greenbank Hotel, Dragon Boat Events, and the teams that took part in making this such an amazing event and raising over £1k to support our lifesaving work around the coast – we are looking forward to taking part again next year.”
The weekend also continued The Greenbank’s commitment to supporting local and charitable causes. Last year’s Dragon Boat Race raised £955 for Mylor Sailability, an organisation dedicated to making sailing accessible to people with disabilities.
With its combination of competitive racing, waterfront food and drink, and fundraising for an important local cause, the 2026 Dragon Boat Race proved to be another successful addition to Falmouth’s summer calendar, with the hotel looking forward to hosting it once again in 2027.
