From unfit to a world champ - Sue thanks her supporters

A three-time gold medal winning dragon boat racer from Sidbury says the sport has helped her go from being ‘overweight and unfit’ to an international champion.

Sue Bath, who has dropped four dress sizes, was chosen to represent Great Britain in the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Ontario, Canada, last month.

The 51-year-old was part of the three-time winning ladies’ small boat team competing against opponents from more than 30 countries.

Sue began competing for the Exe-Calibre Dragon Boat Club two years ago after searching the internet for something to do in Exeter.

She said: “It still feels a bit surreal - the most amazing part was standing on the podium hearing the national anthem.

“It has been quite a journey in all manners of ways - the health benefits have been extraordinary. Just being that fit has changed everything. It makes life easier. It has been a benefit to a lot of my friends and family.”

Now living in Somerset, Sue has had to juggle international duty with her full time job as a physiotherapist.

The mother-of-two manages physiotherapy services at Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth hospitals, plus a GP clinic at the Blackdown Practice in Hemyock, near Cullompton. Sue said: “Some of my patients think they’ve got too far to go to lose weight and get fit, but it is possible because I have done it.”

Sue competed in 17 gruelling races across the five-day competition in Canada.

She is now turning her mind to a European contest which will take place in Rome next year.

Sue thanked everyone for their support in helping her raise £3,000 to travel to the competition.