Blazing Paddles roar to Dragon Boat Festival win
It was déja vu all over again.
In a repeat of the 2014 results, the Griffin and Robertson Law Offices Blazing Paddles won the third annual Lewes Dragon Boat Festival championship by three-tenths of a second over second-place CrossFit Lewes-Channel One Elite.
And not far behind in third was Striper Bites, the 2013 champions who finished in fourth place last year. Five-tenths of a second separated the three teams in the day-long Sept. 13 event.
CrossFit went into the 12-team finals with the best times in the two qualifying rounds with an average time of 2:09. The Blazing Paddles saved their best for last with an average time of 2:15 in the qualifying rounds. And just like last year, the Griffin and Robertson team did not race in the final heat of the day because of a fourth-place average qualifying time.
Racing in the final heat were CrossFit, Striper Bites and NV Homes/Ryan Homes Build-Oars, who finished in fifth place. Schell Brothers Fire Breathers made a big leap in the finals to finish fourth.
Thirty-six teams with more than 800 competitors took part in the event to benefit Sussex Academy, a charter school located in Georgetown. This year's event featured two 500-meter race rounds followed by four heats of three boats each in the finals racing 250 meters.
The most surprising team of the festival was Browseabout Book Slayers, a team of students from Sussex Academy, who made the final round in 12th place. The team was also selected as the community favorite in a vote of those who attended the festival in Canalfront Park. The park was filled with more than 5,500 spectators throughout the day who viewed the races and purchased food and drink from vendors.
The following teams won their respective divisions: Team Rehoboth, women's; NV Homes/Ryan Homes, construction; Browseabout Books/Sussex Academy Students, youth; Striper Bites, restaurants; CrossFit, fitness; Jack Lingo Realtor/Rehoboth, community; and the Faust Family for Sussex Academy, schools. Blooming Boutique won the award for the best decorated store front.
Heading the festival committee once again this year were Stuart and Krista Griffin.
Organizers anticipate proceeds will exceed $25,000. “We were sold out in April and we had more spectators than ever. The community truly supported the event once again,” said Gina Derrickson, Sussex Academy community/communications director.
Will there be a fourth annual festival? “We will have discussions with the city and will need city council approval, but we would like to do it again,” Derrickson said.
The top 12 teams were:
1. Griffin and Robertson Law Offices Blazing Paddles, 55.321
2. CrossFit – Channel One Elite, 55.588
3. Striper Bites, 55.855
4. Schell Brothers Fire Breathers, 56.206
5. NV Homes/Ryan Homes Build-Oars, 56.322
6. Big Fish Restaurant Group – Team BFG, 57.190
7. Jack Lingo Realtor/Rehoboth – Lingo Stars and Stripes, 57.707
8. Law Offices of Scott and Shuman – Draggin Booty, 58.058
9. Faw Casson - Ledgers of Doom, 58.825
10. Capstone Homes, 58.943
11. Echelon Custom Homes – Dragon Hearts, 1:00.176
12. Browseabout Books for Sussex Academy Students Book Slayers, 1:00.226
