Cookham Regatta 2023

After Bourne Water Dragons gave a good account of themselves at the Sherborne Regatta in May, some of our keen paddlers were happy to go again and test their skills and see some improvement at the Cookham regatta, hosted on a lovely stretch of the River Thames. With a steady increase in membership over the summer, it was not a surprise to find some of our new paddlers happy to swell our ranks and provide us with the luxury of a full crew plus reserves. Everyone competed in at least one race.

It was an early start on the first Saturday in September; after a 90 minute drive, we arrived to find our gazebo already up, thanks to Jane and Roy, with a strategic viewing spot less than 50 metres from the finishing line. Our warm-up and aggressive chant warned the 9 other teams we meant business and, we suspected, kept them amused.

"Cookham! Roast 'em! We're going to toast 'em!"

Our first race saw us toast the opposition soundly - the second race, however, was much tougher and very close, with the opposition just lightly burned. In our previous year at Cookham, we were delighted to get through to the Plate final for third and fourth place. This year, we went one better and made the final against the Pirates, who had been runners-up in the previous two years. An all-male crew, they looked young and impressive, but we looked determined as BWD are accustomed to taking on teams like that. Alas, we couldn't quite make it and lost by less than half a boat length! Our supporters reassured us that we were closing down the winners towards the finish; it was a great effort which was proudly acknowledged by the Pirate victors, who said they never had to dig so deep, as we walked past their applause.

It was a great day enjoyed by all. Timing, Technique and Teamwork were put to the test in the final lung-busting metres.

We can be rightly proud of what Bourne Water Dragons can achieve.