Dragon Boating is a traditional Chinese sport with a history dating back over 2000 years and is one of the fastest growing team watersports worldwide.

The 40ft long fibreglass Dragon Boats can travel at 4m/s and are traditionally decorated with wooden fittings and a carved dragon's head and tail.

Each boat holds a team of 20 paddlers sitting in pairs and a helm steering at the back of the boat. A drummer sits in front of the boat and beats out a rhythm for the paddlers.

Rachel is one of the top athletes in the UK in this sport and boasts an accomplished portfolio of results. She has competed in all four World Championships thus far and has won 19 European and World Championship medals with the Great Britain squad.

She has been paddling since her teens and Dragon Boating since it arrived in the UK 16 years ago.

The Dragon Boat Racing Squad for Great Britain has excellent results, especially considering it is predominantly self-funded.

The Bank of Scotland supports Rachel's involvement but the squad receives nothing from either Sport England or The Sports Lottery Fund.

The majority of the squad are in full time employment or education but must still find time to train at least daily in order to compete at international level.

Time must be spent in the gym, on weights, running and swimming as well as in the Dragon Boat.

MJ Information No: 18402