Get ready to row, row, row your boat like you’re being chased by a fire-breathing monster - Kent’s annual dragon boat race is back on July 1, and fierier than ever.

The wild and watery challenge raised £100,000 for charity last year and saw fierce competition between teams dressed as Vikings, pirates, and superheroes.

Teams of 11 race against each other over the 250-metre course, with 10 people rowing and one of the crew beating a drum to dictate the pace of the paddles. Each team takes part in three races, and then the fastest teams compete in the finals at the end of the day.

Hundreds of friends, family members, and other spectators watch the racing from the banks, where stalls and attractions provide plenty of entertainment in between the action on the water.

All the money that teams raise goes to the good cause of their choice – anything from a PTA to a huge national charity. Companies can also sponsor a boat.

Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition, dating back more than 2,000 years, and became popular as a sport in Britain the 1980s. Great Britain has competed in the world championships since the first event in China in 1995.

Organiser Dominic Comins, of the KM Charity Team, said: “This is our biggest event of the year and with good reason. The competition on the water gets really intense and it is really quite gripping both to take part in and to watch.

“It’s the Formula One of the KM Charity Team – it’s fast, it’s furious and anything can happen. People turn up to watch it even if they don’t know anyone who’s taking part, because it is such a spectacle.

“Last year’s race raised a staggering amount of money and it would be wonderful if we could do that again this year. You can have up to 17 rowers in your squad, so the best thing to do is fill all 17 spaces to raise more money - and everyone will have at least two races on the day.”

Last year’s beneficiaries included the east Kent branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Guide Dogs Medway, Porchlight, the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

The race is supported by Wilkins Kennedy and takes place on Sunday, July 1 at Mote Park in Maidstone. To book a boat, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/booking and use the discount code KMNEWS18.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a boat should contact Dominic at dcomins@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 264 0291.