CHILDREN revelled in taking part in the first day of the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival in Saltaire, including an ecstatic group of students who won a championship race without ever setting foot on a boat before.
Many proud parents and grandparents were on hand as trophies and medals were presented to the school teams that participated in the junior and senior teams.
The Trinity Titans from Halifax won the senior category and in the junior category Bradford school Carlton Bolling, which was no small achievement for the school, which is based on Undercliffe Lane.
Carlton Bolling PE teacher Tara Kirby, who coached the team alongside James Bennett, said: "The kids are really excited. They're inner city children and most of them had never been in a boat before or even heard about dragon boat racing.
"It's such a good achievement because they've had no practice at all because they have no access to water.
Carlton Bolling teacher, Emma Pickles added: "They've never been on a boat and some have never even been to Saltaire and they came here and won it!"
Another Carlton Bolling teacher, Rebecca Jones, who was on maternity leave, came especially to watch the children compete.
She said: "These kids don't normally get these kinds of opportunities, so it's a fantastic experience for them."
"It's my first time coming to this event," said Derek Hinchliffe, of Wilsden, whose grandson was on the winning Trinity team. "It's good fun.
"It's fantastic and the kids really get into it.
"They come out win or lose. They're all happy to do it."
Mr Hinchliffe also enjoyed the concept of dragon boat racing and compared it to a Dragon Boat Festival he saw in Hawaii.
"It's popularity has been building here and they've done well to get it established."
Cllr Angela Tait (Lab, Royds ward), a Dragon Boat Festival committee member, addressed the children at the trophy presentation.
"It's lovely to see you all back," she said. "The last time we had the school races was 2019. We hope you return next year when it will be even bigger and better."
Speaking with the T&A afterwards, Cllr Tait said: "My husband and I came to the Dragon Boat Festival in 2015 to see what was going on - and now we're on the committee.
"It's an excellent weekend event," she said, highlighting the Lord Mayor's races on Saturday and the multi-charity day on Sunday.
"We like seeing people have fun. That's what makes us tick."
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