On Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 September the 2010 National Finals of the British Dragon Boating Association took place at Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
It was the final competition of the 2010 race season for Notts Anaconda, who recorded its most successful season for half a decade, finishing second in its division for both the 200m and 500m race distances.
Ali Marsland, Club Secretary, said: "It's been a fantastic year for us. We've upped our game in training, worked on raising funds for new equipment as well as recruiting more members." This photo shows paddler Ian Orrill in an individual training boat.
This year four of the Notts Anaconda paddlers were selected to represent GB in the 2010 European Championships held in August in Amsterdam. The GB Premier Ladies crew scored a perfect result at the competition, taking gold medals in all three events.
"We want to keep building on this success and hope to enter two teams in the 2011 National Finals," Ali Marsland added.
The 2010 race season saw the club taking its two race boats to London, Liverpool, Exeter, Preston, Worcester and Milton Keynes. At each event Notts Anaconda raced in one boat and lent the other boat to another crew, receiving a small payment for this.
The club was formed in 1994 and has been competing in league events around the country ever since.
Dragon boating is one of the country's fastest-growing water sports. Twenty-six crews from around the country competed in the 2010 British national league, 12 in the premier division and 14 in the standard division.
A full boat consists of 20 paddlers, a helm (steerer) and drummer. The coach may at times make a tactical decision to race with only 18 paddlers to keep the boat lighter.
Every boat is required to carry a drummer who must actively drum throughout each race. The drummer does not set the rate of paddling though; they take their timing from the front two paddlers, as does the rest of the boat.
Timing is the most important element of dragon boat paddling - a weak crew paddling slowly but perfectly in time will move their boat through the water faster than a stronger crew paddling frantically as individuals.
Team spirit is at the heart of any successful dragon boat club - Notts Anaconda warms up together and has a team 'huddle' before and after every race.
On some race days paddlers can find themselves in back-to-back races with barely time to get out of the boat before they set off again, while other times there can be a wait of two or three hours. Warming up is a vital part of race preparation.
Notts Anaconda has successfully trained up a number of new helms this season and now has its first female helms for many years. Without a female helm the club cannot enter ladies-only races.
Notts Anaconda trains on Sundays and Wednesdays all year round at Trent Bridge and is always looking for new members. New members don't need any experience and all equipment is provided. Visit www.nottsanaconda.co.uk or call Ali on 07954 424358.
Maria Hendrick, 28, of West Bridgford, joined the club in July. She said: "Dragon boating attracts a really diverse group of people and there's a great sense of camaraderie. I love the banter and I love being part of a team."
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Bookmark with:
What are these?