MEMBERS of a local dragon boat racing club have been selected to represent Great Britain in the 11th World Dragon Boat Racing 2013 Championships.

Powerhouse Dragon Boat Racing Club, based at the River Tees Watersports Centre near the Infinity Bridge in Stockton, entered time trials held at Peterborough Rowing Lake to see if we were fast enough to make it into the GB Dragon Boat Squad.

Five paddlers, Colin Smith and Joanne Tickle from Middlesbrough, Bryan Tucker from Redcar, Rose Deighton from Hartlepool and Julie Hollins from Eaglescliffe qualified and were selected to be part of team GB.

Allyson Butterfield, the team’s helm and crew manager, from Middlesbrough, was also picked for the squad and will steer the team at the championships in Szeged, Hungary in July.

Graham Butterfield from Middlesbrough was recruited as team assistant and will drive the safety boat and film and photograph the crew.

The squad is looking for team or individual sponsorship to help them on their journey to the championships, as Dragon Boat Racing is entirely self-funded.

The championships take place over the course of a week where the team will race against 30 other countries for medals in the 200m, 500m, 1k and 2k races, in a variety of categories including open, senior, mixed and ladies.

Middlesbrough Council workers Colin Smith and Joanne Tickle are two paddlers who were selected for the team.

“We are both immensely proud to be from Middlesbrough and representing Great Britain in the World Championships,” said Mr Smith.

The club welcomes new members of all levels with training sessions held on Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9.30am at the River Tees Watersports Centre in Stockton For more information or sponsorship enquiries contact Colin Smith on 07504-063023 and to arrange free taster session, contact info@powerhousedragons.co.uk