Typhoons storm to win Chung Wah title

Typhoons storm to win Chung Wah title

July 23rd not quite the blistering hot day last year on that fateful day Typhoon made history in claiming our first Charity win. With our close rivals, Raging dragons choosing not to enter, the battle was between the two tigers! Typhoons were in buoyant mood, and spirits were high, but so were the Hurricanes, who have been looking ever impressive since their debut at Kingston, where they so nearly scalped Rage and Typhoon.

Everyone was tired especially after a hard day of racing at Royal Albert BDA, the previous day, yet still managed to get to Dorney Lake.

Typhoon had some noticeable absentees, left stroke Claire and right front Chi, but were re-inforced by former founder and ex captain Pete Wong, still recovering from a heavy night of celebration with Thames, as well as the two Batchworth boys Adrian and Kin. However we were bitterly disappointed to hear Vince had not changed his mind to paddle.

Spirits were high with both teams playing Frisbee’s, football, Ed on HT even had time to pose for Bangkok boy frolicking half naked in the lake…. Others took time out to relax, big man Jels wanted to stay rooted in Ben’s big daddy  for the day and had he not been racing, we would have found him sleeping in that chair. TT managed to recruit a young drummer, Steven 10 years old sweet and innocent, until he spent the day with Ng, who knew he’d be corrupted into gangland warlord of Dorney Lake, gunning down all other dragon boat crews and hot wiring cars for fun. Not content with being the drummer, he wanted JC’s job as well.

In our 1st race Captain Ping decided to go with Adrian and Kin up front to give Andrew a well deserved break from stroke. It had seemed the organisers had invested some money and bought 4 new boats, which can only be good for the sport.  Tactically we decided to go with a full race start and relax into a steady stroke achieving a time of 1.04 secs, with the other teams close behind. HT went up next and came in at 1.03 to fire a warning shot at Typhoon. Still this didn’t worry Pete W as he tucked into chicken curry and rice with a double helping of chicken wings.

Into the 2nd race Ping decided to reverse the crew with Phil Wong and ‘Cyclops’ Alan taking the stroke. After a full race start we would go into Pete Ng’s favourite past time stroke and hold…and within 50 metres of the end we would go into a finish.

Each stroke was powerful, but from the side of the lake many onlookers said we looked as if we were taking the pee! But with a time of 1.02 it proved how important it is to get a good catch and to drive paddles in deep, accelerating through the stoke before returning to the hold position all in sync to achieve fast times. HT hit straight back but we suspect they were holding back coming in at 1.04.

As soon as we got of the jetty we had to complete our final round race straight away. Kiwi Jo was given a break, and in stepped JC. We were determined to show Dorney lake what Typhoon had. But with a time of 1.00 everyone expected more as the power in the boat was not quite there. Hurricane completed their final round race in a time of 1.05, again saving them selves for the final.

Alan H returned to add even more firepower to the team. However, he had no time to relax as the mayor and his wife wanted the full dragon boat experience, and Typhoon was called into assistance. Step forward Alan H, Alan T, Dan, Sam, Phil Wong, Andrew, Phil Ives, and Pete Wong. With JC at the helm, the mayor was in the caught in the middle of a typhoon, powering down the 250m course!

Into the final, the organisers decided to pit the tigers together in a club final. The tigers went into a group warm up. Hurricane would be strong and hungry for success but would this be enough to win??

Typhoon decided to go with two more paddlers taking the total to 18, with JC and Alan, Hurricane also went with 18 no change to crew line up. In the team huddle Steven interrupted JC’s pep talk ‘it’s just you and the paddle and me and the drum’ fine words for such a young man.

Both teams were quiet paddling up to the start line, focused in on the finish. Which team had the nerve? Who would triumph on this day? 

The calm before the storm, Hurricane Vs Typhoon…. Bang!! The race for glory was on, both teams had excellent starts and there was no separating the two crews. 150 metres to go and at optimum stroke, still nothing in it, this was perhaps unknown territory for Hurricane, could they sustain this rate, had Typhoon anything left to deny the novice crew victory?

100m to go, JC called ‘FINISH!’ Typhoon went into overdrive stroke after stroke Typhoon began to edge away from Hurricane. Typhoon could see the finish line, and although Hurricane made a brave attempt to claw their way back, the initiative was ceased by Typhoon the race was won.  A valiant effort, Hurricane would fight to see another day. Typhoon won in a time of 57secs, with Hurricane coming in at 1.03.

We could see the disappointment in Hurricane faces, we’ve all been there before, knowing the mental hurt, knowing we were good enough but on the day we were beaten by a better team. Heads may be down but days like this would make them stronger. It seemed right we should stand by the jetty and applaud them for their efforts.

After the dust had settled, and the adrenaline junkies Dan and Wai Hung had thrashed their motors, we all headed back home, with our title safe for another year. Chung Wah at Dorney Lake is perhaps one of the best Charity dragon boat races in the calendar, and I have no doubt we will return to defend our title.

So on to the Lions club, in two weeks time, would it be 4th time lucky for Typhoon, or could Hurricane pull off an upset?