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.

I cannot recall which member of TT came up with the novel idea of paddling the Great River Race – a gruelling but very scenic 22 mile course along the Thames from Richmond to Greenwich. The Great River Race does not cater for the faint hearted, only for the fool hardy who are willing to take on the might of the great Thames River, whose currents are as predictable as forecasting London’s weather.

Granted, TT has raced in rough conditions in Exeter and Liverpool, but not to the extent of a marathon paddle and not where, when conditions are rough, capsizing is common. But who better to take on a challenge than TT? On Sat 8th September 2007, TT converged in Richmond, paddles and energy provisions at the ready along with an estimated 2,000 participants from across England as well as from overseas. TT was in good company, with Henley, Thames and Raging Dragons, all from the BDA community, also competing.

TT’s objective was to complete the race (without capsizing) and to earn the £2000+ in pledges already received from friends and family for the benefit of children’s charity, Demelza House Children’s Hospice. Knowing that a few hours of back breaking paddling to help children with life limiting illnesses provided all the motivation for the team to keep paddling.

With Pete Ng and Andy Liu as our lead pacers and JC at the helm, TT kicked off in Richmond, passing under Richmond Bridge, the first of thirteen bridges. Intermittently, a pair of paddlers were given a snippet of a break to top up their energy reserves with bananas, muesli bars and jelly babies; intermittently, calls for “reach” and “power” was often replaced with “for the children!”, and intermittently, JC would yell at other boats to give space to TT. Along the way, TT passed many famous London scenic spots - the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Tower Bridge - a fantastic experience for permanent tourist members of the crew, Canadian Helen and of course, me! Along the way, the crew were spotted and greeted with cheers from Wai, Yong Pang, Sunil and Marina and along the way we spotted Wai Hung sporting his long lens camera, taking some great shots of TT in action.

Some two hours and thirty six minutes later, TT finally reached the finish line - tired and with cramped muscles but very triumphant at completing the race without capsizing – thankfully for JC’s experienced (but sometimes harrowing) helming. Overall, Masters International who also competed in a dragon boat, was faster overall with a time of two hours eleven. Fellow BDA team, Henley was third fastest with two hours twenty four.

The Great River Race - indeed is a great river race. Well done to Helen who, as a right hand paddler, paddled on the left for the duration of the race, and to Chi who, despite was suffering back injuries, insisted she had to paddle for the Demelza kids.

Typhoon Tigers finished in 2:35:33, 21st out of 268 boats and 8th place out of 16 Dragon boats.

Congratulations to all TT who completed the 22 miles and thank you to all TT family, friends & supporters. We couldn't have done it without you! This year TT will again be paddling for the soul - on 11 May 2008, TT converges in Venice for the 34th Vogalonga boat festival and on 13th September 2008, TT will again be competing in the Great River Race.

Watch this space for more information!

by Jo Cheung