Preston’s Dragon Boat race team swooped to success at the national championships in Nottingham.
AdvertisementA packed schedule over the weekend of September 22 and 23 saw the teams taking part in over forty different action-packed and exhilarating races, winning coveted trophies after taking second and third place in two of the competitions.
The city’s Preston Dragons entered crews into the mixed, open and ladies categories – all of whom valiantly battled it out against some strong and experienced competition from the other teams.
Each crew consists of 18 paddlers plus the all-important drummer and helm.
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Preston Dragons member James Crooks commented “This is only our second time at the National Championships, and what’s really impressive is how far the club has progressed in the two and half years we’ve been going.
“Far from just taking part, we’re now holding our own against teams who have over 30 years’ paddling experience. What we’ve achieved really is something we and the city of Preston can be very proud of.”
Club chairman Andy Cameron added “We are delighted with the Club’s performance at the Championship which reflects the hard work of club members and our coaches in particular. We pride ourselves in being a welcoming club and this is a sport which anyone can take up.”
With roots deeply embedded in the Chinese “Dragon” culture, Dragon Boating is one of the fastest growing international competitive sports and it’s not hard to see why. Each race is a colourful visual spectacle with the boats decorated in their ornate dragons’ head, tail and scales, and the sport itself is exciting, competitive and very inclusive.
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For anyone interested in having a go, Preston Dragons train twice a week down at the docks, meeting in the Beach Hut Coffee Shop, Preston Marina on Tuesdays at 6pm and most Saturdays at 10am. Contact the Dragons via their website or Facebook page for more information.