Engineers by weekday, dragon boat rowers by weekend
The team swapped their structural design tools for paddles and a dragon boat in July, taking part in the 23rd Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival at Willen Lake.
Held on Saturday 4th July 2026, the festival brought together teams from across the region for a day of rowing, fundraising and friendly competition. With 22 teams taking part across the 200m course, the event was a great opportunity for businesses and organisations to get together and support charities close to their hearts.
James and Hannah took on the important role of keeping the beat as the squad battled it out in their heats. Dragon boat racing requires plenty of coordination, communication and teamwork, with up to 10 paddlers working together while a drummer sets the rhythm and a helm steers the boat.
No previous experience was required, but a healthy dose of team spirit certainly helped. While collaboration on complex engineering projects comes naturally, the team discovered that paddling in perfect synchronisation is a very different discipline but with consistent rhythm the team were successful in finishing in the top 10 teams.
Raising funds for Ride High
As well as competing on the water, the team was proud to raise £500 for Ride High, a Milton Keynes-based charity supporting disadvantaged children and young people across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Ride High is based at the Ride High Equestrian Centre in Loughton, which sits within 37 acres of countryside in the heart of Milton Keynes.
The charity uses horses and a range of programmes to help transform the lives of children and young people who face disadvantage or challenges in their everyday lives. Alongside riding lessons, the centre offers non-ridden and sensory sessions, supported learning programmes, sensory programmes and school holiday activities.
Darren Ball, owner of dbstructural said: “It was brilliant to get the team together outside of the office and take on something completely different. Dragon boat racing definitely put our teamwork to the test. We had a great day together and were really pleased to raise £500 for Ride High. Supporting a local charity that does such important work with children and young people made the day even more worthwhile.”
