The annual River Thames Dragon Boat Race took place on the River Thames in torrential rain in Abingdon. The weather conditions did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of Team St. Clare's - read more
The races consisted of three sets of timed heats held over a 250 metre course culminating in two exciting finals. Each team raced once in each of the three sets of heats and the times they took to complete the course were recorded. After the third set of heats there was a short break while the qualifying times were collated. The twelve fastest teams then took part in one of the two finals.
In our first race we were narrowly defeated by the ACE Centre, Oxford . We defeated the Grove Rugby Patrons and Finders Keepers Ltd in the second race. We were victorious in the third race against John Mason's 6 th Form and Taylor and Francis Ltd. Our best time of 1 minute 20 seconds ensured our qualification into the top six final. The other teams that made the final were RAF Brize Norton, the ACE Centre, Studio Health and Fitness, Long Wittenham Primary School Patrons and Renault F1 Team.
Team St. Clare's finished in third position in a time of 1 minute 15 seconds. The winning time was 1 minute 14 seconds over the 250 metre course.
There were thirty teams participating in the event. Each team nominated a charity to raise funds for. Team St. Clare's managed to raise £150 for the Grieving Parents Support Group based in Oxford.

Success and team spirit all around
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.