Henley secure third spot in series opener

FOLLOWING a bout of unpredictable wet weather and high river levels over the past couple of months, Henley Dragonboat and Outrigger Racing Team were pleased the river levels receded enough to allow them to host their first Henley Winter Series event this year on Sunday.

Dragonboat and outrigger crews came from as far as Exeter, Milton Keynes, London, Loughborough, Bournemouth and Shoreham, braving the cold dreary morning to embark on the 7km and 12km Henley Regatta course routes.

Observing the two minutes’ silence to remember all those who had fallen, 13 crews battled hard to the finish at the Eyot Centre, the host venue for the race.

The outriggers set off first in their 12km two loop course. Three ladies crews, one mixed and two men’s crews took part. Overall, Hurricanes men from Wraysbury came first in a time of one hour, seven minutes and 53 seconds, narrowly followed by a para-mixed crew.

The ladies had a good battle with Paddlesports Racing Canoe Club Aito Vahines coming in as the first female crew in one hour, eight minutes and 48 seconds, Wraysbury ladies and Shoreham ladies not long behind them.

The dragonboats competed on their 7km course with each boat released every 30 seconds on to the course in a pursuit race, with the faster crews starting last.

Crews met on the Temple Island buoy turn, necessitating them to turn together. Boats were so close, there were crews clashing paddles or even holding the gunwales of neighbouring boats as they battled round the turn buoy. Faster boats seized their opportunities cutting in the inside and pushing past the battling crews.

Rafters, a team from various places in Mid/South of England, won with Wraysbury Dragons not far behind.

Hurricanes Dragonboat team were just behind them and there were three dragonboats abreast battling for clean water up the Thames — Soaring Dragons, Raging Exe-Calibre and Henley Dragons. Henley gave them the slip just before they passed under Henley bridge, keeping ahead up to the top turn and on to the finish line.

Rafters took the gold in a time of 33 minutes 59 seconds, Wraysbury following closely behind in 34 minutes, 30 seconds and Henley third, the first mixed crew, in a time of 37 minutes, 19 seconds.

The second race of the series will take place at 10am on November 30.