BOATLOADS of men and women took to the water, rowing and splashing in dragon-shaped vessels as part of a World Cup-themed race to raise more than £40,000 for a cancer charity.
More than 20 teams of 11 people raced in head-to-head sprints along the River Chelmer outside the Meadows Shopping Centre as part of the five-and-a-half-hour long football-themed tournament.
The biennial event is held in memory of Tim Reeve, a former intern at Birketts, who died from leukaemia nine years ago at the age of 23, despite initially recovering from the disease.
His father, John, set up the Tim Reeve Charitable Trust in his memory and it has now raised more than £400,000 for research into the disease.
"It was a great day, a bit damp at first but it really picked up as the day went on," said John, 61, who organises the race, sponsored by Tim's former employer. The winning team previously won the race four years ago and are made up of Tim's friends, which was a nice moment."
Anglo Old Boys, who were representing USA in the tournament, were crowned the winners by 0.4 of a second after a closely-fought final with Belgium (Birketts) and Cameroon (Tumbletots).
The first race began with a team dressed as Mexicans, from Handelsbanken, complete with ponchos and sombrero hats, taking on the Dutch, who were Tees Law Solicitors.
"It was really wet, we got very soggy, the weather was just like it was in Mexico," said Tom Duke, 20, who came from Birmingham to take part in the race.
"The boat was very heavy. I think the other team had been practising for months,"
Team captain Tim Paddon, 43, from Chelmsford, speaking after his team's first race while they were still waiting to find out if they had won in a close-fought contest, said: "It could have been better, but I think we'll be much more confident for next time. We're going to do some training now."
Each team took part in three races in the heat stage, then moved into the knockout rounds.
The total amount raised is in the region of £40,000, with one team from Elm Green Prep School in Little Baddow, who represented England, raising £10,000 alone.
There was also a funfair, food stalls, a life-size human table football game and entertainment from the Big Sing choir whilst crowds lined the river bank.
