RNLI Fun Day

What an opportunity we had whilst supporting the RNLI Fun Day, as we were invited – along with Pink Champagne Dragon Boat Team – to put on a display at Mudeford Quay in front of hundreds of people for the RNLI annual fundraising event.

After careful planning by our experienced helms, we still found the water receding at a rate of knots and were careful not to run aground. Bob (our helm) and another team member continued to entertain the crowd as they manually pushed the boat into deeper water.

It was quite a spectacle with the deep, thunderous, and resonant boom of the drums that cut across the water, paddle salutes, and various paddle techniques shown, while Christine from Pink Champagne and Jane from Bourne Water Dragons gave a running commentary over the tannoy. The cheers, whistles, and applause at the end were uplifting for the teams, some of whom had paddled 7 miles to the event start point.

The Fun Day was bigger than ever this year, with entertainment from ‘Navy Lark’ singing sea shanties and ‘The Coda Ukulele Band’ playing lively tunes. BWD were supported in the gazebo by the lovely Linda W., Shirley, Valerie, Linda K., Cath, Margaret, Mary, Toni, Jackie, Norm, Pete and several others, who all had a great day chatting to the passers‑by and handing out stickers to children.

It was encouraging to have such great interest in the club, with many people stopping us as we walked around the show. Our bright polo shirts attracted attention with ‘Bourne Water Dragons’ written on the back. We look forward to attending the Fun Day once again next year and helping to raise much‑needed funds for the RNLI. As our sport is water‑based, we never know just when we might need the RNLI.

Thank you to all the RNLI volunteers who save lives daily.