After missing out on the 'four-bagger' the previous weekend and therefore dropping a BDA point, the team was eager to get back into the boat and to stamp our authority in Exeter.

Nottingham Nationals Women's 200m Competition

Nationals 2007 saw a lot of Typhoon firsts – missing drummer seat, drum and drummer falling off, beating Amathus (albeit in a 200m mixed repecharge). The women’s 200m was no exception.

Just as we finished supporting our 2nd team, Hurricane Tigers, from the sideline with our loudest vocals, there was a last minute suggestion to put together a crew to represent Typhoon Tigers in the Women’s 200m competition…..which just happened to be the very next race!

Suddenly there was a manic rush to collect all the female paddlers name and gather them together at the boat for immediate loading. This meant there was no time for the 11 female Hurricane paddlers who had just finished a gruelling race to warm down, or even team prep talk. Decisions about seating positions and racing starts were all made as we walked the short distance towards the boat.

As we settled in the boat, it suddenly dawned on us that the drummer’s seat was unoccupied. With no more females to spare we had to reshuffle and in lightening speed Chi gallantly perched herself in front of the drum. Numbers were low in the boat but as the ropes were being untied to let the Tigresses loose, four more paddlers from Powerhouse and Henley came running to our assistance.

Inexperienced, we naively set out with our new resident Tiger helm, Richard, steering us towards the start line. But just as we thought we were on our way there was another hurdle in our path. Loud shouting from our Tiger camp was immediately heard across the water, causing confusion and panic. What were they shouting about? The problem soon became apparent – Women’s 200m Competition meant women only. Unable to race without a female helm, we diverted and paddled towards the camp hoping our coach JC would manage to secure us a female helm. We were in luck, Ali, from Henley came to our rescue and quickly jumped on board to helm us directly to the start line where other teams had already begun to settle.

Looking across the line, Typhoon were definitely the new kids on the block and possibly out of it’s depth against Thames, Amathus, BA Ladies, Secklow 100, Exe Calibre. Few words were exchanged in the boat but we knew we shared the same passion – to fly the flag for the Tiger Babes and do what we do best – have fun!

All boats stop. Are you ready? Attention… Go!

We attacked the quick starts to get the boat moving, and then it was all about maintaining the pace as the boat contained non-Typhoon paddlers and tired Hurricane paddlers. Despite wanting to blitz through the race and end the pain, we had to maintain timing or risk falling apart before reaching the finish. With Thames on our left increasing their distance and thus serving us their bow wave, each stroke became tougher to deliver. Gritting our teeth we pushed for the line, finishing not far behind the other boats.

The excitement before we even got in the boat and during the race made this a very memorable event, not least because we have been talking about getting team Tiger Babes together for as long as we can remember and then within minutes the decision was made and a team was thrown together.

Despite coming last in the race we were only a couple of seconds behind the bunch. This was a great achievement given the lack of preparation and shows how much potential power there is for us tigresses in future.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the honorary-tigresses for helping out in the 200m race.


Written by Phan Truong