It took over 12 months in the planning for SRC’s Bob Huntington but Sunday saw the Mighty Green Dragons team compete in Devon Air Ambulances’ Dragon Boat race.
The event was called off at short notice last year due to a yellow weather warning and the new date meant some of the original 17 strong crew were unable to continue but Bob did a fantastic job encouraging new team members and keeping the fundraising profile high.
Most of the crew were able to get a couple of training sessions in with Exe-Caliber dragon boat racing club of which Bob and wife Shirley are members. In fact, Shirley is off to Germany in a couple of weeks to represent England in the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.
With Shirley and Bob at the front of the boat setting the pace, and SRC junior Jude Carson drumming, the Mighty Green dragons were quietly confident, but there was a lot to remember; the short, quick, deep stroke start, the longer strokes that follow, the kick, look forwards to the lead paddlers for timings and DO NOT LOOK at the other boats. By the time their first heat came round, they were 13th out of 13th teams, their focus had slipped a little and crossed the line in just over a minute. In the second heat Naomi Garrick swapped with Jude and drummed the boat over the line in just over a minute again. A team talk set new goals for the third and final heat, to finish in under a minute and beat someone, anyone!! With Jude back drumming the Mighty Greens lined up between two boats, nailed their start, remembered the kick and crossed the line in second place (of that heat) in 58 seconds-RESULT!
It was a world away from running, approximately 10 minutes of activity in 7 hours and there were some twitchy feet whilst waiting between heats; the atmosphere was fantastic and it was a great opportunity to experience another sport whilst raising money for a much needed charity. Everyone left smiling despite being empty handed and have since learnt they are the top fundraisers!
