Rowing Round-up: Busy few weeks on the water for RSSBC

There has been plenty of rowing action in the lead up to this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, with crews getting out on the water to take part in a variety of competitions.

Henley Women’s Regatta 

The Senior Girls 2^nd Boat travelled to Henley on the 17^th June to race in the Henley Women’s Regatta.

The crew raced in the Junior Coxed Four event at the regatta with the first round consisting of a time trial to reduce the entry number from 18 to 12 for side-by-side racing.

The crew had a great row to place 10^th in the time trial and earn a place in the second round against a composite crew from Clydesdale ARC and Molesey BC. The match race proved a close affair with the composite crew coming off the better by two thirds of a length. 

Marlow Regatta 

On the 18^th June the 1^st VIII and J16 Coxed Four race at the Marlow Regatta at Dorney Lake. The event was one of the last opportunities to put crews through their paces before the Henley Royal Regatta.

Both crews executed their time trials well with the 1^st VIII producing the fastest time in the Tier 2 eights and the J16’s coming in as the fastest school crew. The 1^st VIII held their position in the final to win Tier 2 eights. The J16 four struggled in the strengthening tail wind conditions and had to settle for 5^th in their final. 

J14 Kings Worcester Match  

On Saturday the J14’s competed in their first ever external rowing fixture with a match on the Severn against Kings Worcester.

The event saw ten octuples taking to the water for a time trial followed by a series of knock-out match races to determine the winners. All the crews involved handled the windy conditions extremely well given their recent introduction to the sport and it was fantastic to see such a high level of determination and skill on display. 

Out of the ten octuples the crew of: Mark R (R, III), Annabella P (G, III), Zara B (MSH, III), Tom B-B (R, III), Arthur M (I, III), Amelie C (EDH, III), Will Y (I, III), Hamish P (SH, III) coxed by Felicity A (M, III) won the Sabrina Challenge Cup. 

Thank you to Ian Payne for all his efforts in arranging such a great event and to all the J14 coaches for their enthusiasm on and off the water this term. 

Athol Hundermark
Master i/c Rowing