Some familiar rivals were at the start with us including BA Hurricanes and the Thames Taniwhas. Our favourite international team, the Titanic Dragons had made the trip to London again. Henley got off to a quick start as the dragon boats set off. We quickly pulled ahead of all the dragon boats. Due to the tides the Great River Race this year started in London and finished in Richmond. Not only did we have to contend with the waves through London but also weave our way through the boats and under the bridges. Soon after the start Henley lost their head, literally. The lock on the dragon's head on the boat was broken and the waves dislodged it. A couple of paddles jammed into it as it floated past.

It didn't seem long until we could hear the sound of the Dutch drum getting closer. Each year since 2006 where we each passed the other several times there's been a friendly rivalry between the two teams. This year they took a different route through the traffic to get ahead without a fight. We followed their line under the bridge where we had a bit of a dispute with a rowing boat and their large paddles. The Dutch team managed to stay ahead this time. We'll see them next year.

Soon after the Rafters got by after serving their one minute penalty for using cranked shaft paddles. Henley's biggest challenge came in the middle of the race from a team of rowers who used Henley's motivational calls to put in a spurt of their own. We had to pass them seat by seat and then they came back at us as we did a rolling break and we had to pass them again.

Henley finished with a club best time ! Thanks to Wendy and Allie for the motivation during the race, Chris P was volunteering to organise the event and the training and Chris F for organising the bus. Also thanks to our supporters: Emma, Nadine and Tanya's mother who made the trip into London to cheer us on.

Team photo

Team Speed

For photos from the Great River Race, click here .