Otters OWN fourth at Marlow Dragonboating Regatta

Go team. The Otters crew took on 35 other crews at Marlow on Sunday 12 June and claimed a highly creditable fourth place, making us easily the best mixed team in the regatta. The top three places were all claimed by proper dragon boating teams, one of which turned up with its own gold-plated, titanium alloy paddles. So we were the best scratch team too. And the best team with Otter in the title. And the best team from Chertsey.

But the only way we were going to win outright is if we could simultaneously ram and sink the three fastest teams, while somehow managing to limp over the line ourselves.

Of the nine places available in the semi-finals, we qualified ninth after one blinding and two fairly indifferent runs in the heats. Lining up against Paddle Up Your Creek, who only lost out on the title by less than a fifth of a second, we ran them damn close. Playing back through the Sky Four HD Box Office Plus (Extra) footage of the event revealed that PUYK got a rolling start which probably gave them the third of a boat length they beat us by.

Having sworn never to organise another dragonboating team because this one was such a balls-ache, the Chertsey Otters are now committed to defending our title and going for a hattrick of wins at Oakley Court, Windsor on Sunday 19 September. (Rumour is that Kayte may even be organising training sessions, however much this runs counter to the Otter ethos of 'just turn up and win'.)

So if you're interested in paddling, it's £32 a berth (which can be shared, halving the cost). Contact Kayte to sign up!

Otter's Marlow Crew of Legends: Max Parry (drum), Ben Gilbey (stroke), Debbie Hall, Debs Greenwood, Lucy Regan, Richard Cable, Big Gay Al Davis, Sean Parry, Kayte Cable (captain), Chris Mesney, Chris Greenwood and Ulrich von Lederhosen von Kleinsteuber von Kriegsmarine.

Shore support: Kate Smyth-Davys, Jo Mesney and kids, Mr Regan and kids, Suzanne Gilbey and kids, Hamilton, Ben K, James K, Max, Zoe, Zach, Jaego and Jessame.

Thanks everyone for giving it your all. Awesome day - great fun, good result. Bring on Oakley Court!!!

Go the Otters!!!