Dozens of worthy causes and hundreds of competitors paddled to the beat of the drum as Dragon Boats took to the water once again.

Clowns, Smurfs and Hilda Ogden lookalikes mingled on the riverside in Canbury Park with more serious competitors during Sunday’s annual Dragon Boat event.

Loud cries of one, two, rang out from the boats emanating from desperate endeavours to win but some teams were more competitive than others.

When the drummer fell off one the YMCA LSW’s three boats into the Thames, her team, gamely dressed as policemen, Red Indians and construction workers, failed to spot her plight.

But the charity, which runs homeless hostels and does youth work in Surbiton and Wimbledon among other things, dug deep to complete the race.

All teams were told to keep their eyes forward, arms paddling as one, although one or two made time to splash their rivals. But joking was put aside as the final approached.

Canbury Arms Boys, racing for 21+co, a Kingston charity working with families of people with Down Syndrome, pipped London Welsh Dragons to the post in the eight boat final with a time of just over a minute.

Canbury Arms landlord Michael Pearson said: "It was exhilarating. It was very tense towards the final. The noise, the commotion, it was quite intimidating."

Downpours of rain saw competitors scuttle under trees or into their tents for protection but bacon sandwiches, bouncy castles and a climbing wall entertained onlookers.

Others sheltered in the pub nursing beers or soft drinks.

Other good causes included Kingston Hospital’s prematurely babies charity Born Too Soon, under the supportive eye of founder Pauline Woods, John Lewis’ efforts for beating Bowel Cancer, Kingston Mind and the Kingston Territorial Army Reservists.

Teams came from far and wide including Surbiton Racketeers, Kingston Pub Watch, the Ram Raiders and the aptly named Sink or Win.

Former mayor councillor Chrissie Hitchcock was spotted at the top of a dragon boat heading up the river. Her successor Patrick Codd preferred to keep his chains firmly on dry land.

Organiser Keith Maund, from the Kingston Rotary Club, said the day had raised at least £30,000 for charity so far.

He said: "We had more teams than ever before. They way the teams enter the spirit and dress up makes it a perfect occasion."