The second annual Henley Junior Dragon Boat Regatta was held on Saturday 26th April at Marsh Meadows in Henley. On the sunniest day so far this year, 70 competitors from local scout and cadet groups, schools and sports clubs took to the water to do battle for the stunning dragon trophies and medals.
Dragon boat racing is an increasingly popular sport, with its root in Chinese legend and tradition. The Festival of Dragon Boat Racing in China is held on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month each year. The boats were traditionally very precious and the head, tail and drum were taken after competing to store in the local temple. Before the next season’s racing they were repainted and made ready for the great events to come. All but the eyes of the dragon were prepared. The dragon was allowed to sleep until the day he was needed.
On the day of the competition, the Eye Dotting Ceremony, or waking the dragon, was performed by a very senior local dignitary. This ceremony is still performed at the start of all International dragon boat competitions, and Henley Dragons created the same sense of anticipation as the Mayor of Henley, Terry Buckett MBE, the most prestigious local dignitary, opened the regatta and woke the dragon ready for an exciting day of racing.
Local residents enjoying a walk in the sunshine were met with a spectacular sight as the Chinese flags and pounding drums enticed them up the river towards Marsh Meadows. Teams of 10 paddlers and a drummer paddled in brightly painted boats, complete with fierce heads and scaly tails, keeping the rhythm of the pounding drums over the 200m course.
Each crew raced three times in the rounds, their fastest two times were added together and placed them in the major, minor or tail finals.
After a tough set of heats, the grand final was a rematch of last year’s final – with Brakespear Aspire Blue, from Breakspear Catholic School in St Albans, lining up against the Wyrmlyns (translated as baby dragons) from Wokingham Dragons. Would the Wyrmlyns young crew be able to overpower the older crew from Brakespear and get their revenge? Their crew chant certainly showed they meant business!
It was not to be however, and Breakspear retained the overall winner’s position in the fastest time of the day, 1 minute 14.2 seconds. The Mayor returned to present the trophies and medals to the winners of the Under 14 (Wyrmlyns), Under 16 (Breakspire Aspire Blue) and Under 18 (The Dragonflies, also from Wokingham Dragons).
Results:
Major Final 1st - Breakspear Aspire Blue - Overall winners and U16 winners
Major Final 2nd - Wyrmlyns - U14 winners
Minor Final 1st - Breakspear Aspire Yellow - U14
Minor Final 2nd - Flying Dragons - U16
Tail Final 1st - Dragonflies - U18 winners
Tail Final 2nd - Breakspear Aspire Gold - U14
Tail Final 3rd - Backwell Judo - U18
Consolation prizes were also presented by the aptly named event sponsors, Dragon Court, for:
- Most improved crew – to Breakspear Aspire Gold from St Albans for a massive 20 second improvement during the day
- Best crew name – to the Flying Dragons from the 1st Hurst Air Scouts
- Best dressed crew – to Backwell Dragons from Backwell Judo Club in Bristol
Henley Dragon Boat Club, would like to thank the local organisations who supported the event – Higgs Group and Dragon Court.
Photos to follow very soon.
