Last time the dragon boat race was a wash-out but this time was a scorcher, especially for the  racers who dressed as Olympic opening ceremony sheep.

Thousands of Kingstonians turned up to watch the river boat racers donned in Olympic gear battle it out on the Thames on Sunday.
 

The racers were finally able to compete after heavy rain cancelled the annual show in July.

This time around racers, friends, family and spectators enjoyed the racing event in Canbury Gardens without a cloud in sight.
 

More than 40 teams and nearly 800 rowers rowed their hearts out in the river races organised by Kingston Rotary Club.

In line with  Olympic sporting fever, team Lamb-Baah-Ghini all dressed as sheep in attempt to evoke Danny Boyle’s idyllic Olympic opening ceremony and took home the best dressed prize.

Eight teams oared their way into an incredibly close final with only four seconds between the last dragon and winners the Canbury Arms Boys.

The London Welsh Dragons managed to take second place and The Mighty Ducks came in third.

Keith Maund, chairman of Kingston Rotary Club, said: “People were out in their thousands to watch and everyone was having a fantastic time.

"The final was so close. The weather was superb too.”

Rugby legend and TV personality Matt Dawson captained a boat on behalf of the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

Last year the Dragon Boat Races raised £45,000 for charity but this year the sum is expected to be even more.


There were also children’s fairground rides, refreshments and craft stalls alongside a bouncy castle at Canbury Gardens.