3 October 2023

In recent years, NE1 has helped to host the annual Dragon Boat Race on the Quayside.  Previously the race took place on a Saturday, however this year NE1 expanded the event to add an extra race day on Friday 29th September, populated entirely with teams from businesses based in the city centre.

17 members of the TRUE team took part in this special event to raise money for our chosen charity this year Maggie's.

Our team of 16 rowers, plus a drummer to help us to keep to a beat, took part in 3 competitive races on the day, rowing against other teams on a course from the Tyne Bridge to the Millennium Bridge.  True to form, the Tyne decided it was going to throw us some challenges, and by round 2 the tide had turned and the wind speed increased to 20 knots making for some choppy conditions!

The round the team were most keen to win was round 3, the Battle of the Lawyers which was a 5 boat race against stiff competition from Aberdein Considine, Norton Rose Fullbright, Hay & Kilner and Womble Bond Dickinson LLP.  We gave it our all and won the round in a time of 1:24:78 !!!

Despite our best efforts on a glorious sunny North East afternoon, we were pipped to the post in the last race of the day with the last teams achieving faster average times meaning we missed out a top 6 spot for the grand final.

The event was fantastically organised by NE1 and the atmosphere was incredible.  We hope to be back again next year to retain our Battle of the Lawyers title!