DRAGON boat crew members are beating the drum to attract recruits.

The Three Rivers Serpents are ranked among the top seven crews in the country in the sport, which has its origins in the Far East.

But, with a 20-strong crew required for competition, a regular flow of talent is needed to keep the serpents afloat in the top national league.

The Serpents won National Lottery funding last year, allowing them to splash out on a £4,500 German-made boat, and other equipment.

It allows them to hire equipment to outside groups and to train novices.

Among the groups coming forward are local scouts, who are eager to learn more about the sport following the creation of a dragon boat racing badge, pictured left.

Scouts keen to add the badge to their collection must become familiar with various aspects of the sport, including safety rules, the capsize drill, and procedures for loading the boat.

They must also undergo at least a two-hour training session, and complete a 250-metre paddle in race conditions.

Malcolm Curtis, of the serpents, said that once the scouts acquired their water legs, they soon picked up the techniques.

"They are eager to learn the skills, and we are happy to pass on our knowledge and experience to what we hope will become a new generation of dragon boat racers," he said.

"We need 20 in a boat in competitions, so we need to have plenty of future talent available."

Dragon boating is one of 95 proficiency badges available to the modern-day scout, along with other less traditional skills, such as paragliding.