A bronze medallist over 800m at the NatWest Island Games in July, the teenager caught the eye as he pushed Steve Dawes hard for two laps before having to settle for second place.
Dorey, not 18 until April and a 1,500 specialist, said the attraction of a quality race virtually on his doorstep was too good to miss.
The mill-pond morning boat crossing took nothing out of him and he may even be back for race two at Lucksall next weekend.
