Early Rounds

The race format for the day was a series of two-boat races - with the exception of the last two races, which were three boat races.

As you would expect for the first round, most of the teams who had done dragon boating before posted convincing wins whilst their rivals were still learning the ropes. Not that it mattered because all that was requird for qualification into the final round was a single fastest time ... and with three races to chose from, there was still pleanty of time for improvement. By round two, racing had started to get much closer.

Race 6 of Round 2 saw the more experienced Watkinson Black team from Warrington (supporting Claire House Children's Hospice), being narrowly beaten into second place by newcommers Ewloe Green Goblins from North Wales.

Raising money to support the Ewloe Green County Primary School near Hawarden, this was the first time the Ewloe Green Goblins had been dragon boating (although from the way they tore through the competition you would never have guessed it).

Primary schools are always looking for new and inovative ways to raise money, so it was great to be able to welcome to Chester the first of what we hope will be many school teams in the future.

In an almost identical finish (we had to look several time just to be sure), the Wheatsheaf Waiders team from the Wirral were beaten into second place by the Albion Marines team from HMS Albion. This took some doing as the Wheatsheaf Waiders were the overall winners 2005!

Determined not to lose out this time the Wheatsheaf Waiders were soon racing again, this time against the Miles of Smiles team from Chester (supporting The Miles of Smiles Children's charity). Being just Miles of Smiless' third time out and with an almost ten second time disadvantage to the Wheatsheaf Waiders, it should have been a foregone conclusion, but dragon boating is a fantastic way of team building and getting people to work together.

In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the Miles of Smiless' team suddenly found their wind and their technique as the team started to paddle together in unison - and as we always say, it is through this 'togetherness' where teams will win their races. And so it was as the Miles of Smiles team posted their fastest time of the day and in the process, just pipped the mighty 2005 champions to the line!

Although not their fastest time, the Wheatsheaf Waiders were still able to qualify for the Minor Final thanks to their second round time against the Marines.