Photo courtesy of Claire Fowler

Congratulations to Henley Dragons who (with a little help from some friends from sometimes arch rivals Kingston Royals) put in a stonking performance in this years Great River Race.

They completed the gruelling 22 mile race from Richmond to Greenwich in the third fastest time overall - not bad when there were nearly 300 boats taking part!

In just under two and a half hours, Henley crossed the finish line after a journey full of highs, lows, pain, fear, elation, head winds and in places, very choppy waters.  Each of them has their own special memories, some of which are shared below.  All agreed that they had together been through yet another unique and exciting experience, which would stay with us for a long time to come.

Henley’s performance in the Great River Race

	2007	2006
Finishing Time :	2:24:39	2:32:05
Position (Based on Time) :	3rd fastest overall	8th fastest overall
Position (Based on Handicap)	14th	24th

A big thank you to our support team – Celia for organizing our participation, the crew list and  training sessions; Mike for providing the resources to tow the boat;  Rob for organizing the minibus; Derek for helming; Elspeth for drumming and Pat for her support on-site in Richmond and Greenwich.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the many friends and family members who came down to support us on the day – believe it or not, we did see and hear you as we passed by.

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Sudden panic as we were launching at Ham, when I realised I would not be able to get to the drum seat through the boat and had to do a quick ungainly vault before the surrounding water got any deeper.  The perspex canopy the boys rigged up was brilliant at deflecting the bow-wave, but left the drum and me on another planet.

Exhilarating panic under Westminster Bridge as we negotiated pleasure boat wash and did a fabulous sideslip down the inside of a wave that deserved a surfer.

The calls did feel repetitive, but you responded every time, and I couldn’t encourage about the challenges ahead - going backwards.  But I could see that we were able to drop the challenging dragon boats off every time we increased the power. Thanks to Celia for calling bridges in time for me to cue the “GO HENLEY GO”.

A great day, a certificate earned, and job well done by all the paddlers.

Elspeth O’Donnell

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Having paddled in Royal Blue with camp pink stripes all of my paddling career it was with some trepidation that I donned a navy blue with red bits top on Saturday the 8th September. Fortunately my top had already been pre-stretched by someone of even greater girth than I! Even greater nervousness was heralded by the fact that apart from a couple of very short outings I'd never really stroked before! Yikes!

True to the universal Dragon boat rulebook pre-race phaffing was evident amongst the Henley crew so us Kingston types immediately felt at home.  However the dedication was soon evident out on the water as we hit a sweet pace and started to munch our way through the flotilla ahead of us leaving craft after craft in our wake. Every now and again a call for 75% pushes went out and we delivered. At least some surges are effective!

We fought hard to pass 'The Dutch' (we kept calling them the Dutch but I'm not sure that they were!) and then Colenorton were passed and consigned to our wake. 'The Dutch' however kept coming back!  As we strode on past the Houses of Parliament battling a River Thames that neither Kingston or Henley are familiar with three things gave us a crucial edge!  Firstly Derek steered us a course that outfoxed the Green of the Dutch that kept flashing in my peripheral vision.  Secondly Chris' cleverly crafted spray caccoon significantly subdued the swells that were breaking over the bows.  Thirdly we kept our cool, planted our paddles deep and pulled ourselves forward. This little trio meant that by Tower Bridge the Dutch were largely broken. Further calls for and strong delivery of 75% pushes sealed the deal as we stretched our lead through the Docklands area.

Eventually we finished by steaming across the line at full pelt delivering us the honour of being the 3rd boat across the line! Extremely satisfying, very rewarding and yes even great fun!

Big thanks to all at Henley for letting us join your little adventure.  Great to practise with you and to see your stretch of the river and very much looking forward to seeing you all just a few feet behind us in Nottingham!

Peter Langworthy

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After all my apprehension and worry, actually the race was much more enjoyable and manageable than I could have hoped for.  The 2:24:39 flew by after the initial 25 minutes, which were a bit of a killer for me until I got into the swing of it.  Excitement… the stint past Westminster Bridge was chop chop choppy and I would have loved more of the waves throughout the course!  I can’t imagine how my open mouth demeanour could have been misconstrued as yawning (Pete!) - I really was putting effort in….really.

WHAT A RESULT for the Henley team (with the borrowed top Kingston chaps), and what a really fabulous day out.  So what challenge shall we take on next?

Celia Blakeway-Phillips

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As we battled the waves as we passed under Tower Bridge all I could think of this must be like Hawaii 5 O and the dulcet tones of Kingston Andy saying how exciting it was just contributed to the excitement for me and to finish 3rd fastest just completes what was a great day.

Sue Hanks

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I was a bit anxious about doing the race because I didn’t know what to expect and I thought that it would be very difficult.  Arriving at the starting field and seeing all the colour and different types of boats changed everything. I got really excited and couldn’t wait to get going. I enjoyed flying past most of the course and seeing all the famous bridges and landmarks from such a low vantage point.  I thought we were done for a few time before Tower Bridge but that just added to the buzz.  When we pulled away from the Dutch and that Thames red dragon boat I knew we had done well.  Passing the finish was great but I could barely stand when I got out.  Apologies if anyone heard me swearing when we were getting the boat out, I’m so bold.  I would recommend it to anyone.

Ronan O’Connor

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My left arm has been so stiff I haven’t been able to write or type for a couple of days! Anyway, I really enjoyed the GRR, as it gave me a chance to dragon boat and complain at the same time.

Low Points

The worst part for me was completely running out of energy around the London Eye, just before it got pretty rough.  I went through to Tower Bridge wondering when the hell the energy bar I’d eaten was going to kick in, whilst getting gallons of water dumped on my groin and feeling I was letting everyone down.

High Points

Too many to mention, but particular ones are:

• Mike’s driver getting the boat there and back in one piece, despite never having towed anything, let alone a 40ft dragon boat, before
• The first few miles, with the amazing number and type of boats we were passing
• Derek’s helming keeping us afloat, upright and ahead of the opposition.
• The Heath-Robinson spray deck that actually worked.
• The realisation that we had lost the other dragon boats we were racing and might be in for a good result
• Elspeth’s beer supply – greatly appreciated

Phil Kaye

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I couldn't believe Derek today at the club when he said this years' crew had got the fastest time of any Henley Crew. That was the icing on the cake. The GRR this year was even better than last year. Being more experienced with the motion of the boat in choppy water, meant I could actually enjoy what could be a pretty nerve wrecking experience. The fantastic drumming of the green team, who tailed us all the way, added to the tension of the crew, who became more and more competitive as we realised that we were in with a chance of doing well. For me the adrenalin that the waves created really from London Bridge onwards seem to make the paddling kind of easier and I felt that I could think incredibly clearly. When we stopped when we reached the end I felt overcome by emotion. Thanks to my boat partner I felt a fantastic high!

Debs Mendes

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The Great River Race is a complete experience of endurance!  Paddling past, The Houses of Parliament, Christopher Wrens St Pauls Cathedral in the distance was truly amazing.  People waving and cheering from the bridges, boats and pubs along the route spurred us on through every stroke.  Passing HMS Belfast and paddling under Tower Bridge was truly moving!  We overtook many craft of all shapes and sizes from many parts of the world.  A Dutch Dragon Boat with its constant drumbeat became very, very irritating indeed! `` Come on!  Derek, Elspeth!  Take it up! Lets get some distance between those Dutch Dragons and us! `` Each time we went into overdrive we left the Dutch behind; they were no match for the Henley Dragons!  I gauged the trip mentally, knowing that we had two, two minute breaks where we could take on drink and an energy bar.  The second break saw most of the crew donning their life jackets as the wind got up and the waves started splashing into our boat.  Derek the helm, was getting unsteady on his feet as we got buffeted about, by this time he had a tight grip of my shoulder to steady him, a good man in a storm!  We took up the rate once again smashing through the waves, going for the finish; the Dutch Dragon Drum beat was far in the distance.  ``Focus, dig deep, smashing my paddle into the Thames`` I could feel my aggression driving my arms through the last stretch of the race, I think we were all running on adrenalin as it pumped through our exhausted bodies.  We were there!  We made it!  The finish!  Another Henley Dragon Boat victory!  Nice one Dragons!  Great weather!  An amazing city!  Brilliant crew!  An all-inspiring race!  The Thames, it’s the river of life!  Thank you River Thames!

Dave Buckland

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The start turned out as a bit of a free for all and suddenly found us under Derek’s orders for a speedy getaway to begin catching the other dragon boats. Quickly put some nails in the coffin of many other dragon boats and shot past the 'elite' sisterhood. The time went quickly and having boats to chase down kept my motivation up and my paddling strong. Getting pushed by the Dutch team did us a lot of favours and it was a great feeling pulling away from them towards the finish. The excitement really began at Tower Bridge plowing through the meter high oily swell with the waves breaking over the side of the boat onto my lap. I could see people nervously glancing to check that their buoyancy aid was at close hand. By the time we came out of the rough stuff my feet were under water quickly cleared by some hectic bailing. The finish came around much sooner than I thought, however I didn't feel robbed and was glad to be chugging down the much deserved beer at the end!

Rob Lind

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We need to beat the Masters team at their own game and that has to be our challenge for next year as the web comment says we are a competitive lot and I believe we can be the first in a category whether it be mixed, Thames or paddlers.

Pete Hanks

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In the style of the 1970s Pepsi commercial:

Thighrubbinbumnumbin
backbreakinpaininducinlegcrampin
wavesplashinsinkriskinboatbailin
nevergiveincoolracin Henley


Nick Eley

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“Stop the boat”  - I’m not actually that bothered.  I don’t want to put my paddle in the water again; not sure I can. All that matters is that someone said I could stop paddling. Someone must have stopped the boat; I’m getting out.  Why don’t my legs work?  Or my arms?  I’m shattered.  Need to eat. And drink. Wow! I haven’t felt this bad for a while; feels kind of good though.  BANG. That’s not fair, that other dragon boat got a cannon when they crossed the line. Yeah, but they crossed it behind us.  We beat them.  People are saying we beat almost everyone.  3^rd fastest? - surely not? Cool. Perhaps we could have got second? - Maybe next year.  Happy with 3^rd for now; “good paddle guys”…….. and a good day.

Steve Wyatt

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Having taken part in last years race I was really looking forward to this year's, but I was a bit apprehensive, unsure whether I had done enough training, whether I could paddle for three hours as we expected.   I was pleased with the spray deck that we managed to cobble together I'm sure that it saved a lot more bailing.

When we saw the Green Team before the start I thought, I wondered what sort of race we would give them this year. Knowing that last we had a real tussle, with them passing us, and then us passing them about five times, before they eventually got in front just before Tower Bridge, they crossed the line about two minutes in front of us. But this year we seemed to pass them so easily, every time I heard their drum getting closer I thought will this be the time they pass us, but no we had the power with us this year.

The chant worked really well apart from the time, when we were going under a very wide railway bridge an we tried to shout it four times, I think we put so much into the chant that the boat nearly stopped.  It was great to see all the spectators their cheers made all the difference, I'm told my four-week-old grandson was very impressed.  Derek may have been nervous in the choppy water but I loved it, I wish all dragon boating could be this exciting.

It was a great feeling to finally drop the Green Team and power down the final section. I had felt pretty good through out the race with no aches or pains, until we stopped and got out of the boat, my body seemed not to mind the paddling but objected to standing on my legs again and thought I was joking when I tried to use my arms to left the boat.  Thankfully there were some sea cadets with a trolley or the boat might still be there.

Thanks to everyone for making it a very memorable day.

Chris Fowler

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Having said this was a once in a lifetime amazing event in 2006, I blithely entered in 2007 for a second time in a lifetime, and would happily do so for a third and a fourth, as the fun, teamwork, excitement of being in the middle of London and racing so well at the moment is making up for the fact that I seem to lose an inch off my hamstrings each event.....

Tanya Van der Werff

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This was my second GRR and last year I vowed never to do it again.  Unfortunately I have a short memory!

So there we are sat on the start line and I am thinking 'what am I doing here?' At this point I am also going off Celia rapidly for persuading me to do it again.

But at the finish line all the pain is forgotten and to be honest it did not seem as bad as I had remembered.

All in all a great day, great team spirit and we finished in a great time.

Thanks to one and all.

Mark Hipgrave



Click here for a link to our Great River Race photo gallery.