West Sussex Scouts - Dragonboat Champions

8th Worthing Sea Scout Group are Dragon Boat Champions Again!



8th Worthing Sea Scout Group won the 16th Annual National Dragon Boat Championships held at Longridge Boating Centre in Marlow on the River Thames on Saturday 1st September. This is the fourth year that they have won this title. They previously also won in 2000, 2003 and 2004. 2007 is the Centenary year of Scouting which makes the win extra special. As well as the main trophy, each member of the team was also presented with a medal. A crew consists of up to 18 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman. There are 3 classes: Scout (14 & Under), Explorer/Network Scout (Under 26) and Mixed Age. Teams from throughout the country entered.


8th Worthing entered a team in both the Scout and the Mixed Age classes. The Scout team was sponsored by Gladius again. The Mixed Age team was sponsored by Leaders Ltd. The entry fee was £180 per team. As well as winning the main Scout class, their Mixed Age team also came third in their class. Explorer Scout Leader Paul Chaplain said: “Our teams were made up from both our Scout Troops and our Explorer Unit so it was truly a Group effort. Both teams did so well by working together. Every member did their best, which created two very strong teams that delivered a convincing win and a close runner up. I am really proud of all of them!”.



Next year the Group will be celebrating their 80th anniversary. Their headquarters is in the ground of Thomas A’Becket Middle School. They are currently negotiating with West Sussex County Council to renew their lease and secure their future so that they can continue to offer the many benefits of Scouting to thousands more 6-18 year olds in the local community for another 80 years. Web site www.8thworthing.org.uk