Henley Dragon Boat Club is now taking entries for the 2007/8 Henley Winter Series. The Series promises to provide another exciting spectacle on the Thames at Henley over the coming months.

For anyone who is not familiar with the Series, it comprises of 4 long distance dragon boat time trials, staged at monthly intervals during the winter season. Crews can elect to attend any number of races in the Series, and prizes are awarded at each event and for the overall Series winners. The circular course is approximately 7.5km, with a turn around an island at each end. Crews are set off from a rolling start at timed intervals, and last year took around 30-40 minutes to complete the distance. The events take place on Sunday mornings, allowing ample time for crews to sample some of Henley's pubs for Sunday lunch and celebrations afterwards.

A record number of crews are expected at the first event of this season with Senior Contenders keen to retain the Series for the third time running. Masters International however, who finished just 1 second slower than the Contenders last year, are determined to win back the title, and take home some of the super medals on offer to the winners of each stage. The majority of the Great Britain Senior squad are spread between these two composite crews and use this as an opportunity to train together over the winter and to settle old scores.

The home club, Henley Dragons, have yet to be beaten around the course by another club crew but they are not resting on their laurels as arch rivals Kingston Royals and Bristol Empire Dragons have both been training hard for the event over the past few weeks. Both clubs are keen to prove that they are faster than the home team over longer distances as well as the short distances in the BDA League.

Typhoon Tigers, who joined the line up for the first time last year, have vowed to be back, and at least one club (well done BA) will be fielding two crews! There has yet to be an all-Junior or all-Women’s crew in the Series, but there are rumours of both this year.

If anyone is interested in taking part in the Series (as a paddler, drummer or helm) but does not have a crew to race with, please get in touch with the organisers as there are several composite crews with spaces.

Although only 10 and 20 man dragon boats have competed in the Series so far, other craft such as outriggers and bell boats will gladly be welcomed to the line up.

Paddlers who have competed at the Series over the last few years will be aware that Henley Dragons have played a key part in fund raising for the new clubhouse at the Eyot Centre. The building is almost complete and looks stunning. Preferring to forget the marquees and portaloos of last year, Henley hope to be able to welcome visiting paddlers into part, if not all, of the new building at the first event in November.

 The dates for the 2007/8 Series are: 

• 18th November 07
• 9th December 07
• 20th January 08
• 17th February 08
• 16th March 08 (contingency for adverse river/weather conditions)