“DON’T worry, that’s not the Loch Ness monster – it's the dragon head of our boat”.
These are the unusual words of a paddle boat team member.
The Pink Champagne dragon boat team did a planned capsize of its boat while outside Christchurch Sailing Club along the River Stour on Monday evening.
However, the large dragon’s head which was attached to the front of the boat came off and “sank or disappeared without a trace”.
The group of around 40 breast cancer survivors compete around the world against other dragon boats.
They are hoping it can be returned by anyone who may one day come across it.
Team member Amanda Hemsworth, 63, said: “[On Monday evening] the team went out on the boat and capsized it but the dragon’s head somehow came off.
“We think there was a hole in it and it filled with water and despite a search along the river, there was no sign of it. So it has either sunk or floated off downstream somewhere.”
Read more: Woman baffled after being refused entry to Costa Coffee toilets
The dragon head is only for decorative purposes, however, the team still plans on using the boat to train for their next competition in Rome on October 12.
“We will be racing against lots of other European teams and it's is actually quite a big thing worldwide,” the retired Wimborne resident said.
“We do a lot of races abroad, including in Canada, Hong Kong, and Barcelona, and we also race at home too.”
The team, based at Hengistbury Head outdoor centre, also takes part in a lot of fundraising events for charity.
Amanda said that the team is always looking for new members, adding: “We are open to anybody, male or female, our ethos being that there is life after [breast cancer treatment].
“Our purpose is to raise awareness of breast cancer, the signs to look out for and be a floating support group for women and men.”
Dragon boat racing is said to have originated in China more than 2,000 years ago.
Amanda believes the head will cost around £350 to replace if it is not found.
Anyone who finds the dragon head in the River Stour, contact the team at publicrelations@pinkchampagne.org.uk or via their website https://pinkchampagne.org.uk/.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here