Falmouth RNLI Dragon Boat Championships

It was a brilliant day of sunshine and sea breeze for the Dragon Boat Championships in Falmouth.

Events Square was awash with all and sundry out enjoying the weather and the feel good factor from the RNLI organised day.

18 teams battled it out in the longboat style dragon boats having a chance of best of three to get a time to qualify for the semi final.

Each dragon boat has a maximum of 16 rowers and a drummer at the front.  The dragons head wards off evil water spirits and the drum is beat to ward off the fish.  It also helps to synchronise the dip of the paddles – assuming anyone paid attention to the on dock practice.

Hat Trick

For the third year running the Cornish Mafia took the Dragon prize.  Their drummer, Sam Watson said, 

“We feel brilliant; the competition was a bit tougher this year.”

In answer to what it’s like working with the (rather fit looking) men,

“It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it” and she chuckled before saying,

“I’ll never give up my seat.”  I don’t know what she means!

Earlier, Hodgson’s Accountants of Falmouth caused a bit of a stir in the third qualifying round when they made the best time of the day with 1 minute 13.28 seconds.  That meant they had beaten the previous year’s winners, the Cornish Mafia by point 31 of a second.

Looking at the Hodgson team there was a frisson of suspicion that maybe they weren’t accountants.  This rumour was dispelled by the Cornish Mafia on the basis that they couldn’t possibly comment vis-a-vis other suspicion as to whether they were in fact mafia.

Fun

Spectators enjoyed the carnival atmosphere with music and commentary.  Ros Brooks was celebrating her wedding anniversary with her husband.  Ros said,

“It’s a brilliant day. We’ve come along to support Team Stralfors but they were one short so my son Christian quickly found himself being roped in to take part.”

The last race was closely fought  with the Waterman’s Go Dutch, Mike Mund’s Fitness, the Cornish Mafia and Hodgson’s Accountants teams all battling it out in the final.

In the end, there was only 1.48 of a second difference between the Cornish Mafia with 1 minute 11.20 and Hodgsons Accountants who came in second at 1 minute 12.68 seconds.    

Team Talk

Meanwhile, Richford’s Racers were already talking team tactics for next year.  They had ended with a final time of 1 minute 25.40 seconds.

Steven Richford said they can’t afford a boat but,they 

"intend to set the chairs up in the office and practice the technique.”

 I’ll watch out for the video they said they’ll post on their website, Richfords.com

Congratulations to all the teams for taking part:  Cornish Mafia, Hodgsons Accountants, Mike Munds Fitness, Cornish Pirates, Watermans Go Dutch, Gylly Crew, Pendennis Pirates, Wasters, Chainlocker Dragons, Richford’s Racers, St Michaels Slayers, Watermans R Us, Rental Wizards, Team Stralfors, West Briton Dragons, The Rif RAF, Samurai and 5 Degrees West.

Appeal

Each team paid £300 to enter (approx £20 per head) which goes towards the event and raising awareness of the RNLI.   It costs £580 for the annual training cost for each lifeguard and £6,200 to equip a beach each year. 

For just £750 upto 800 children can be taught about beach safety. That knowledge is priceless.

The event organiser Dave Nicolls was called out twice to rescues during the day.

The RNLI really need our help right now; one day we might need theirs.

Rnli.org.uk/supportyourlifeguards