The Committee
Team Captain/Manager: Paul Robinson
Like the British Dragons, time flies, and it’s been over 6 years since I joined the team and started dragon boating. With every passing year, I enjoy being part of the team and taking part in this sport more and more. This is due in no small part to the fact that the British team has such great people and that our paddling skills and technique are constantly improving. I’m proud and honoured to lead both the committee and the team, it’s a tough role with tough decisions to be made, however always with the interests of the team at heart. The British Dragons is one of the most culturally diverse teams on the water, with some 18 nationalities currently paddling with us. We have won many medals in Singapore and overseas, and have gained the respect of other teams both for our paddling prowess and team values. We live up to our motto Party Hard, Paddle Harder! which we intend to follow through our 10th anniversary year and beyond…
If I’m not dragon boating then I’m usually travelling, working for www.privatehomesandvillas.com allows me to visit fantastic holiday rental homes across Asia, I also like a party and can often be found mixing my drinks (why-o-why?) and misbehaving with friends around town!
Mens Captain: Andy Langton
As a Project Manager by day, this is eclipsed once I hear the call for “Paddles Up” and put on the dragonboat battle dress, and I’m not talking men in skirts, though it has been known. As a proud member of the British team since 2007 I have won medals and friends and had some fantastic times outside of training and racing. The team is a genuinely friendly and approachable bunch of people that will welcome you.
Ladies Captain: Gill Saxon
I arrived in Singapore in April 2006 after living in Hong Kong for 7 years. At first I found it difficult to. It wasn’t until I joined the British Dragons in May 2008 that I really, finally felt I connected with anyone. I found everyone to be so friendly and welcoming and I couldn’t wait to be back the following week and every week since.
I have never been a sporty person, so I had no idea that paddling with a team would have such an impact on me. I love and respect everyone and intend to take care of the girls to the best of my ability.
Other than paddling I love to travel to interesting places (not so keen on lying by a pool everyday) and love to take lots of photos to capture my memories. I also love to party….hehehe! as well as enjoying the movies with friends
Secretary: Rebecca Dempster
I joined the British Team in August 2007 shortly after arriving in Singapore, in an attempt to rectify my work/life balance, meet new people and try something new. I spend my daylight hours writing about all manner of companies and in the evenings I catch up with friends, gym/swim, write my future prize winning novel. I love to travel, speak obscure languages, read and do some dragon boating somewhere in between.
Treasurer: Melanie Highfield
Following my arrival in Singapore in July 2000 my only regret is not having found the team sooner; I did not try dragon boating until 2004! I have been an active member on the Committee for 4 years. In between dragon boating I manage to fit in a love of red wine, eating out, painting, catching up with friends, cinema and travel. My more serious role (well the one that pays the bills anyway) is as a Financial Controller for an advertising agency.
Assistant Treasurer: Mifie Gunawan
I first stepped into a dragon boat in Sept 2007 and still very much enjoy dragonboating (in fact I also paddle with the Pink Spartans when needed). I joined the committee after 4 months with the team as the assistant treasurer and I can be seen at the weekend shouting “ten dollars, ten dollars, pay now!” 
In my spare time I love to travel, eat and go to the cinema (horror movies are my favourite!). As my main job, I work for a furniture company.
Social Secretary I: Gemma George
I joined the team in May 2008, I had dragon boated before in the UK so I knew it would be a good way to make friends, have fun and of course get fit when moving to a new country. When I am not dragon boating I love to explore new places in Asia, as well as running and yoga, and I am known to be partial to the odd glass of wine or too In my other life I am an accountant working in the retail industry.
Social Secretary II: Nicky Marsh
I’ve been a proud paddler with the Great British team since January 2009. My husband and I started paddling with the Brits just 2 months after moving to Singapore and have had THE BEST time ever since. The team has such a great spirit which I love being a part of. Together Gemma & I organise the many team social events; anything from BBQs on the beach to the Christmas Paddle & Party. In my spare time I work for an expat women’s association!
Sponsorship: Kevin Hegarty
I joined the team in September 2008, so far it’s been an absolute blast and a great way of meeting new friends. Particular highlights for me have been paddling in Boracay in the Phillipines, racing at Boat Quay and winning medals in Putrajaya. When I’m not dragon boating I like to travel, scubadive, rockclimb and overindulge in the free beer provided by the Pump Room. I work for Akzo Nobel in their Marine Paint division.
Kit & Equipment: Kenny Bella
I joined dragon boat 2 years after my arrival in Singapore. It was the time when I was getting bored with Singapore and was thinking to move to another country. After 2 years with the team I am still enjoying the activity. I love travelling and eating out as well as doing new things. When I am not dragon boating, I work in a private education institution.
International & Barbarian Rep: Adrian Zuber
I came for my first training session with the British Dragons in February 08 and at the end of it I thought “I am going to die!”. However, the fact of being on the water with a bunch of great people, working as a team made me come back. In March 09 I picked up the role of the International & Barbarians Representative. I look out for dragon boat events across the globe and if the team is interested… I make sure that the British Dragons Singapore are there, racing for medals, having a good time! Also, if the Singapore Barbarians are assembling a team, I organise everything on our end. When I am not dragon boating I analyse recruitment data (work not a hobby), paddle in ocean canoe, hunt for vega/vegetarian restaurants in Singapore and listen to punk rock!
Marketing & Advertising: Caroline Holt
It’s all Mr and Mrs Robinson’s fault!! It was my encounter with Paul’s parents at a work event in Xian that led me to the British Dragon Boat team. Having arrived in Singapore only two weeks earlier I was up for a challenge and keen to meet new people, so quickly found myself in a dragon boat one Saturday afternoon. It’s not a sport I’d ever imagined enjoying, but the team spirit and welcoming attitude of everyone involved has meant I’ve spent the last 14 months with a paddle in my hand!! My work as Marketing Manager for the Pacific Division of ABS sees me travel all over Asia, but when I’m not travelling I can be found dancing, skiing or eating sushi!
Web designer/Chief BBQ master: Graham Hills
I started paddling at the beginning of 2009 lured down to a Saturday training by friends with the promise of a keg of beer. I had little idea about what I was getting myself into, but started to love the Saturday ‘arvos’ on the water. The highlight for me so far was winning medals at our race in Putrajaya. I love to travel and I’m working my way through a long list of must see destinations. When I’m not paddling or travelling I work at Yahoo! Southeast Asia.
