Rowing report from National Schools' Regatta

Rowing Report for School Assembly on Monday 6^th June 2016

At the start of Half Term, crews from all age groups, both boys and girls, competed at the National Schools’ Regatta, held at Dorney this year. Although the weather was generally bright and pleasant for spectators, a cross-wind made for unfair lanes with the initial time trial crucial to obtaining a good lane, an opportunity missed by some of our crews.

Unsurprisingly, the J14 boys and girls – still recovering from their Bronze D of E expedition – did not quite perform to their full potential but still raced well, both boys’ quads reaching their ‘B’ final, with the A crew just pipped for 1^st place in the race to the line.

The J15 crews also raced well with the boys’ eight vying for the lead at half-way in the C final until a crew member blacked out.

At J16 level, the girls eight finished 6^th in a straight final against the powerhouses of girls’ rowing, then a four from this eight reached the A final and were also placed 6^th with a very determined row. The boys’ four snapped a footplate in their semi-final, giving them an unfavourable lane in the B final where they finished 7^th.

At J18 level, the girls’ eight drew lane 6 in their semi-final and duly finished 6^th in the race, a pattern too familiar in the weekend’s racing overall. In a large field, the quad reached the B final and did well to finish 4^th in it, to rank 11^th overall. With injury having interrupted their training over Easter, they can build on this result in preparation for Henley Women’s Regatta. The boys’ development eight was ranked 12^th of school 1st eights, behind a further 11 Championship eights, but will be strengthened for Marlow and Henley when Rory Harris joins the boat. Our top four raced well to reach the A final of Championship coxless fours to be placed 7^th overall. Rory kept up our proud record of winning Championship medals at the regatta by taking the Bronze medal in Championship Single Sculls in a field of 40 scullers – a first for Pangbourne. At Peterborough Regatta he added to his collection of medals and tankards with a further two wins to elevate him to Senior status and just two wins from Elite, the highest status possible. Just over a year ago he was a novice sculler with no wins. Now, he is eligible to compete in the Diamonds – the prestigious single sculls event  at Henley Regatta.

Many thanks to the parents for hosting the refreshment marquee at the National Schools’ Regatta and at the Boat Club barbecue at the end of Half Term, where rowers and their families, totalling over 100, enjoyed a beautiful afternoon’s weather messing about on the river.