Pirates ruled the waves at Eton Dorney this week as a group of amateur rowers they scooped the top prize at the third High Wycombe-organised Dragon Boat challenge.

In support of Kids in Sport, Wycombe Women’s Aid and other Rotary charities in the town, more than 20 teams – most in fancy dress – took to the water to see if they would sink or swim in the heat of the battle.

The competing 24 teams and their supporters lined the lake bank on Sunday morning and cheered the crews as they battled through four qualifying races, before the semi-final and final races that decided the prizes.

Children’s attractions were also provided and families enjoyed picnics on the lake bank.

The winning pirate-themed team, ironically named ‘Capsized’ finished first, narrowly beating a team of ‘Vikings’ by a quarter of a length.

So far, the competition has raised more than £40,000 for a variety of charities, including Kids in Sport whose own team finished in third place.

Prizes were distributed by the Rotary District Governor, Fred King from Burnham Beeches, the Inner Wheel District Chairman, Margaret Groom and the High Wycombe Rotary Club’s President, Malcolm Peckham.

Ivor Beeks, chairman of the organising committee, thanked participants and spectators for making the event another resounding success.