The stakes are getting higher as not one but two gold medallists will be sticking their oars in at the KM Dragon Boat Race.

They will be joining volunteers from Hi Kent to make up the deaf charity’s dragon boat team at Mote Park this Sunday, July 6.

Joining the Hi Kent Buccan-Ears dragon boat team are Etienne Stott the 2012 Olympic gold medallist for canoe slalom, and his wife Georgina Preston from the UK Women’s Rafting Team which won gold in the 2013 world championships.

The famous paddlers will also be bringing their medals along on the day.

Event organiser Dominic Comins, from the KM Charity Team, said: “It’s not every day you have the chance to take on an Olympic champion or to see them in action. This will add an extra thrill to the day, which is shaping up to be the best KM Dragon Boat Race yet.”

Sponsored by Specsavers, the annual event is being staged this Sunday, July 6 at Mote Park in Maidstone. Teams will take part in at least three races with the fastest paddlers going through to the final at the end of the day.

The registration fee per boat is £400 online but there is a £50 discount when booking online by using the code KMDBPA14. For more information and to book a boat, go to www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk.