Being on Remembrance Sunday there was a minute silence before the racing started. With all the boats gathered before the start line it was an impressive site to see over 200 competitors on the water for the commemoration.

The rules for this season's races remain unchanged from last year. The course is 7.5 km starting and finishing at the Eyot Centre. The start is staggered with the quickest boats setting off last and having to pass boats along the course to make for exciting races. The time is started for each boat as it crosses the start line until it crosses the finish line. The bonus system started last year is repeated again for this season. All boats get a 15 second bonus taken off their overall time for each lady or junior in the team.

Henley welcomed a number of new teams to kick off this year's event. Wokingham who have been keen participants at the Henley Junior Regatta bravely decided to compete for their first race in a 10 man dragon boat. Swansea dressed in bright yellow added some colour in their first HWS race. Fortitude +10 although a new name were filled with familiar faces from previous years. Henley also welcomed back several returning teams including last years champions, the Rafters.

The GB Slayers made up from the GB ladies crew that competed for Great Britain in this year's world championship stole the show. Even with the bonus system in place no team has been able to beat 30 minutes and they managed to beat that time by over 3 minutes. Well done to the Slayers.

For the best club crew the BA Hurricanes managed to edge out the Henley Dragons by 1 second. Last years winners Kingston managed third with Bristol and a much improved Wraysbury not far behind.

Don't miss the next race in December!

Full results as follows.