2007 Review

Our First Season in the Premier League
– Ian Elliott

The end of our first years racing in the Premier Dragon Boat Racing league and what a year!  At the end of last season we finished second behind Amathus Bees a team we knew we could beat but they amassed the appropriate number of points and so got the automatic place.  We were “gutted” to say the least but “out of the blue” we were asked if we would consider being promoted based on our achievements and results.  Surprisingly it was a tough decision and one that we actually thought about because we wanted to prove that we were worthy and we would attend as many events as possible.  We accepted the offer and training went into overdrive.

Before the start of the season all we wanted to do was to hold onto our Premier League status and not finish last in the league.  Our first three events saw us finishing 5th.  This was spoilt only by a 6th placing in Royal Victoria Docks and a very lowly 9th in Nottingham (we never did work out why we had such a bad day!).  Either side of this 9th place we had two 4th place finishes culminating in our first major final at Cardiff although a combination of fatigue and the elements saw us finish way behind Amathus, Thames, Batchworth and Three River Serpents.  That was still a good day.

We couldn’t make Royal Albert Dock because of various team member commitments but we did send some paddlers up to help WAM and I think a good time was had by all.

The last event was Worcester and what a strange day that was.  A good send off for Tim Ward – 30 seconds of silence followed by cheering and applause – I’m sure Tim would have approved.  During the day I was lucky enough to be asked to paddle in Worcester’s boat that they had named after Tim – “Spirit of Tim”, that was quite emotional.

The team started extremely well and then we lost our way whether it was complacency, misunderstanding or a complete shambles of a race I don’t know but some pretty strong words of encouragement from Del then even stronger one’s from Bill had us back on track.  We were so encouraged that we almost beat Batchworth in two consecutive races and were narrowly beaten by Three River Serpents in the Minor Final.  It was a great day indeed.

A big thank you goes to Del and Bill for excellent coaching, to the various helms we have used in training especially to Bill and Dave for great race helming.  Also thanks to Gary for his enthusiasm and GB insider knowledge and for a gentle three day paddle in July.  To our drummers Emily Britton, Will Edwards and Will Rushworth* (* a paddler for certain next season). To all the new members who raced for the first time for Bristol this year Darren, Ben, Mike, Rachel, Kat, Ceri, Janet and Lloyd (hope I got everyone).  To Nic for sorting us out “no one does it better!!”.  To all the other stalwarts of the team -  deep down I knew we could do it after all that winter training!!

Comments from the team on the final league placing and thoughts on the year:

Bharti - Yay...........yay............yay!! If I wasn't at work I'd be bouncing around the room with excitement! What a brilliant days racing on Sunday and a fantastic end to our first season in the premier league! A big pat on the back to everyone for making it so much fun and a huge thanks to Bill and Del for their superb coaching and training - all that pain is sooooo worth it :-).

Ben - it makes my heart leap to see it!!!

Del - The final league table is on the BDA web site and we are a brilliant 6th! Equal on points with BA but above them all the same and only 2 points behind Kingston. Well done to everyone.

Nic - A jolly good result all round!

Rob - There's a buzz going round the club and it's a shame the regular season is now over with only the Nationals left at the beginning of October, I want to race again next weekend.

Del - I liked the camaraderie when we stayed in Teeside (Formule 1 ??? - Ian) and Liverpool. The minibus.  The cold, cold Sunday morning training sessions against a fast flowing river. Bharti falling in the water. Gary and Rob making the GB Crew. Our new members adding so much to the crew. The respect Bristol has gained. Many, many thanks to you the paddlers for making the whole season so memorable

Adam - Formule 1 at Stockton. - Do I need to say more? This may crop up again in other peoples memoires. - And then being accused of trying to sneak into Janet, Heather and Bharti’s room with my spare mattress(for Heather,(honest)) put the icing on the cake !!!

Ian – I certainly enjoyed the minibus trips, the Stourport to Bristol Challenge (not staying in a Formule 1), our new team members, the training on the flooded river, the great company of the team and the team spirit both in training and in racing, our first Major Final in Cardiff almost getting ahead of Batchworth and staying there at Worcester.

Candy – I really enjoyed Stockton – it was up North and surprisingly very hot and I was so glad I wasn’t in the Formule 1.  I really enjoyed all the racing despite not beating BA in any head to head all season.   I really loved  Janet  trying to learn “Cockney Rhyming Slang”  at Royal Victoria Dock and asking my brother if she could use his dog!!  This was after Janet was using my mobile at Stockton to cancel a hotel and then spent 10 minutes talking to my brother who didn’t know her from Adam (excuse the pun Adam). Oh and again Janet with her book of interesting places saying over there is Nottingham and over there is a castle etc etc whilst we were travelling at 80mph on the motorway and miles from the sights!!!

Final Positions