A HARDY team from the Telegraph & Argus began their bid for glory at this year’s Bradford Dragonboat Festival with a training session.

A group of 17 T&A staff members, including representatives from its technical support, advertising and newspaper sales teams and reporters David Jagger, Claire Wilde, Chris Young and Viv Mason, took to the water for their first training session.

They will battle it out for the prize on Saturday, May 6, as part of the three-day festival, held on the River Aire, Roberts Park, Saltaire.

Mr Jagger said the team’s training session at Doe Park Water Activities Centre, Denholme, had been beneficial.

He said: “I think the training went well.

“We were a bit out of rhythm to begin with but we soon managed to get into the groove.

“During our training session, we were told that last year’s winners at the festival had not been in a boat before, so that has given us some hope.

“Our trainers told us we looked like caterpillars falling down some stairs when we were banging our oars on the side of our boat.”

The T&A are also one of the media partners of the festival. The team’s efforts will also be shown live on big screens in both Roberts Park and City Park.

Razwana Mahmood, team liaison for the festival, said: “I love the fact that the T&A is throwing itself straight into it.

“They are doing some very serious training.

“I wish them every success, as I do all of the teams who have entered.”

The festival will get under way with a youth championship on Friday, May 5, with teams of youngsters aged 11 to 19 taking to the water.

Places are still available for the corporate championship held on Sunday, May 7.

This is open to teams of both residents and businesses from across the district.

Teams of 17 people in each boat, with a maximum of three further reserve competitors, will compete in up to three races.

Participants on the first two days will be encourage to raise funds for the Lord Mayor of Bradford’s Appeal, which this year is in aid of the Young Minds charity.

Go to localgiving.org/fundraising/tanewscruise to make a donation to the T&A’s festival appeal.