Soldiers put through their paces for Dragoon boat races at Whitlingham Broad
The Light Dragoons from Swanton Morley racing for the Dragoon Cup on the River Yare at Whitlingham. The canoe racing heat winners, C Sqdrn Sgt Major Jamie Lawson, left, and trooper Josh Davies, celebrate. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
Soldiers were nursing aching muscles after being put through their paces for a competition on the waters of Whitlingham Broad, near Norwich.
The Light Dragoons from Swanton Morley racing for the Dragoon Cup on the River Yare at Whitlingham. The canoe racing, with winners of their heat, Trooper Josh Davies, left, and C Sqdn Sgt Major Jamie Lawson, in the nearest canoe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
A group of soldiers from the Light Dragoons, stationed at Swanton Morley, experienced all aspects of rowing and canoeing on Wednesday, culminating in races for the prestigious Dragoon Cup.
Coordinated by the Whitlingham Boathouses Foundation (WBF) and hosted by Norwich Rowing Club and Norwich Canoe Club, the soldiers, from B, C and HQ Squadrons, were coached in rowing and canoeing techniques before progressing to a 350 metre sprint race.
The Dragoon Cup was presented by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the British Army at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre.
The event comes after Whitlingham boathouse received £28,000 from the Armed Forces Community Covenant fund towards a refit of its first floor.
The Light Dragoons from Swanton Morley racing for the Dragoon Cup on the River Yare at Whitlingham. C Squadron, left, racing. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
Max Heron, project team leader and trustee of Whitlingham Boathouses Foundation, said: 'We are now about £25,000 short of the funds required to complete our new boathouse development and we are very grateful to the Armed Forces Community Covenant for this welcome boost.
'It is a privilege to be able to welcome members of the Armed Forces to share our facilities and we look forward to seeing many more of them rowing and canoeing over the coming years.'
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Second Lt Benjy Barkes, who lead the Light Dragoons team, said 'We are delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this rowing and canoeing day which provides a welcome respite from our other duties. It is wonderful to have the support of local organisations such as Whitlingham Boathouses who are prepared to lay on events like this.'
'It gives the soldiers a great opportunity to do something a bit different and it also shows the continued commitment of the Norfolk community towards it's Armed forces.'
