This Saturday the River Avon in Chippenham will see Wiltshire’s finest Dragon Boat Racers (and Good Energy) take to the water. After last year’s defeat, 2011 will see Good Energy pull out all the stops when it comes to both team members and tactics. Our Managing Director and self-confessed Action Man Barney will be joined by Ed-powerhouse-Coleman and Ed-rowed-at-Henley-Regatta-last-week-Gill and a lean, mean rowing machine of 16 other members of the Good Energy team.

We caught up with our in-house tactician and Dragon Boat expert Michelle for a few words on Good Energy’s game plan.

“Our tactic for last year’s race was pretty simple – row faster than everyone else,” she says. “That didn’t work out too well for us - so this year we’re being a bit more strategic. This year’s tactic is to row faster than everyone else and stay in time with each other...a bit.  I’ve done some research and am reliably informed that this should ensure we look a little less like a wonky caterpillar going down the river and a lot more like a Dragon Boat Team!”

Most impotantly we’re raising money for Solar Aid, which works in villages across Africa installing solar panels to enable schools, community centres and clinics to generate their own electricity. It also trains local entrepreneurs to manage their own business and generate independent income. If you'd like to sponsor us you can do it here.

Our CEO and founder Juliet Davenport said: “We’re really keen to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity which supports our own aims of a fairer future based on 100% renewable energy. We’ve got an amazing team of people here at Good Energy, and I know they will relish putting 100% into this great local event.”

If you’re interested in heading down to cheer us on....or just laugh, please do! Admission’s free and if Dragon Boats aren’t your thing there will also be food and drink stalls and an Art in the Park event providing 'hands on' art and music entertainment for people of all ages.