LCI wins Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Race

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11th May 2025 Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Team standing at the dock side.

We are proud to announce that LCI recently won the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Boat Race, helping raise funds for Local Solutions, a local charity.

Lord Mayor’s Dragon Boat Race

This year’s race took place at Queen’s Dock in Liverpool, where local businesses and groups formed teams of paddlers to compete for first place.

Last year, LCI placed second, scooping the silver trophy. This year, the LCI team surpassed its previous record, taking first place and winning its first-ever dragon boat race. 

LCI team accepting their 1st place trophy from the Lord Mayor.

North West CI Race

Following this success at the Lord Mayor’s race, the LCI team also took part in the North West CI Race, which took place in Salford on the 8th June 2025, hosted this year by Manchester University CI. This event included teams from other HE and local Confucius Institutions.

For this event, the LCI team managed to score third place overall with the fastest heat time of all the teams. Watch the highlights reel from the event via our Instagram.

Local Solutions

This annual event, headed by the Lord Mayor, saw thousands raised for the charity Local Solutions. As a charity, they deliver services to support individuals, families and communities across the Liverpool City Region and North Wales at risk of losing their homes.

More information about Local Solutions can be found on their website.

LCI dragon boat race team paddling in the yellow boat on the water in Queen's Dock.

What is a Dragon Boat Race?

At over 2,000 years old, dragon boating is not just a sport, but a vibrant cultural festival, too. Born from the ancient tale of Qu Yuan, a beloved poet who leapt into a river, locals raced in boats, banging drums and splashing paddles to shoo away fish. Today, these dramatic, dragon-themed boats and rhythmic drums have turned this commemorative event into a thrilling race celebrated worldwide. It's a colourful splash of history that brings communities together, all in the spirit of unity and celebration.

Learn more about the sport of Dragon Boat Racing. 



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