From The Editor
How did you first get involved with the Great River Race?
I joined OCUK (Outrigger Canoe Club) in September 2006. They were based at my rowing club so I had always noticed them going out training and decided to get involved. The GRR is a major event for the club so it made sense for me to try for the top boat - the one that would aim to win the race.
Tell us about the crew you were with last year, when you won?
My crew in the 2007 race were: at bow Ryan Coulin (NZ), 2 Jeremy Goodhew (AUS), 3 Brian Denholm (NZ), 4 Me (UK), 5 Danny Marquet and steering/ healming the boat was Cam Taylor (CAN) so it was a really international crew. Outrigger racing is big in these other countries so its nice that these guys have carried on with the sport in London. I would never have taken it up otherwise. We were all positioned where we were in the boat because we brought different qualities. Ryan and Jeremy have great rythym so they were in the front. Brian has years of experience and would help to transfer the rythym down to the rear of the boat. Danny and I were the engine room and provided much need power and Cam was the most experienced and the best person to have steering the boat past the hundreds of others on the water.
What made you decide to coach this year instead of race?
I coached this year because I am injured. I heard that the Sisterhood were looking for someone to help out and I liked the idea of getting on the water. I am a trained teacher, so coaching came naturally to me and both the girls and I seemed to enjoy the sessions.
How long have you been coaching The Sisterhood?
Amy Sharpe is a very good friend of mine and she was part of the Sisterhood when they began to get coaching from Cam Taylor (from OCUK). This was back in 2006 when I first encountered them and I ended up dating and eventually getting engaged to another of the girls, Catherine Loveless. I watched their progress closely as they crossed the Channel in record time last summer. When Catherine told me about the Sisterhood’s exploits this year and their need for a coach I got involved. They are a great bunch of people!
The Sisterhood were racing in a Dragon Boat, what is the history of these boats?
Dragon Boat Racing has ancient Chinese origins and its history has been traced back more than 2000 years. The first participants were superstitious Chinese villagers who celebrated the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Racing was held to avert misfortune and encourage the rains needed for prosperity and the object of their worship was the dragon. The dragon of Asia has traditionally been a symbol of water. It is said to rule the rivers and seas and dominate the clouds and rains.
Over the years a second story was integrated to give the festival a dual meaning - the touching saga of Qu Yuan. Legend has it that poet Qu Yuan was banished from the kingdom of Chu after the King fell under the influence of corrupt ministers. Qu Yuan spent many years wandering the countryside and composing great poetry until, on learning of his kingdom's defeat, he leapt into the Mi Lo River holding a great rock in a display of his heartfelt sorrow. The people loved Qu Yuan very much and raced out in their fishing boats to the middle of the river in a vain attempt to save him. They beat on drums and splashed their oars in the water, trying to keep the fish away from his body.
Today Dragon Boat racing involves teams of up to twenty paddlers in a 40 foot boat with a drummer and helm, paddling frantically to beat the other teams down the course. The drums, shouting and colourful boats make it an impressive and exciting sport both to watch and to compete in. (Source: www.dragonboat.org)
How did The Sisterhood perform on the day?
The day of the race was much warmer than expected which is great for spectators but not so good for the competitors. They did a great job on the day coming in 201st out of 289 crews (men and women) which is not the fastest of times compared with last year when they finished second in the women’s category. That year, they had spent a lot longer in the boat and the training had been more intense ready for their battle with The Brotherhood across the Channel.
And I gather The Sisterhood are currently in South America for another river race on The Amazon. Is it the same crew who raced in the Great River Race and will they be taking their own boat?
For the Amazon they girls will be divided up into crews of four who will have to make their own canoes out of materials provided so it will be a totally different and exciting experience for them.
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