A drummer from Ngee Ann Polytechnic rallying his dragon-boating teammates yesterday as they crossed the finish line first to claim the Tertiary Open title at the Singapore River Regatta.

Now into its 34th year, the largest and longest-running water sport event in Singapore involved nearly 7,900 athletes - aged 12 to 69 - making this year's edition the biggest yet.

The event was held over the weekend.

It began as a celebration of the waterway's cleanup in 1983, with dragon boating chosen for its emphasis on teamwork.

Among those who took part this year were the Pink Spartans, a team made up of cancer survivors, as well as a group from Pertapis Halfway House comprising former offenders who are reintegrating into society.