Contents The Cover Editorial Front 4 A Balancing Act Julian Bewick The Queen's Row Barge carried the Olympic 5 The Show Must Go On Matt Wells flame from Hampton Court for the Olympic Occasional Notes Opening Ceremony. 5 Bluefriars Dinner 5 The Boat Club appeal Inside front London 2012 During the barge's various appearances, its 6 Olympic Thank You Alex Partridge crew included three Monktonian Olympians - 9 Bitter Sweet Symphony Matt Wells Mike Lapage (1948), Rowley Douglas (2000) 10 Four Encounters Mike Lapage and Steve Williams (2004, 2008). 11 The Olympic Rowing Lake Mike Lapage, aged 88, who lives in Tavistock carried the Flame through St Austell John Langfield on 19 May 2012. 12 Hockey and Rugby Andrew Tapley From LOCOG Website: Michael Lapage is 12 Light at the end of the Tunnel an inspirational Olympian having competed in Tanya Ross the 1948 Olympic Games which was the first 13 Reflections from Weymouth Games after World War II, with very little support Peter Dixon or resource to do so. Michael was born at 14 Paralympic Commentary Shaftesbury, Dorset and after the war [he] was at Cambridge University and was a member of the Rhiannon Jones winning Cambridge boat in the 1948 Boat Race. 15 View From Above Julian Bewick He was a member of the British boat which won Articles the silver medal rowing at the 1948 Summer 15 News from the Itchen Toby Johnson Olympics in the men's eights. At the 1950 British 15 Who'd be a Coach? Chris Brown Empire Games he won the bronze medal as part 16 Boomerang Boots Alex Manley of the English boat in the eights competition. 17 Bluefriars Head Race Julian Bewick Michael became a Christian missionary and was ordained in Kenya in 1961. 18 Good Morning Vietnam Henry Kane 19 Thoughts from the Landing Stage Inside back Mike Lawrence The GB VIII: Bronze Medal London 2012. 19 Update from Dundas Mike Smith Bow:Alex Partridge. MCSBC 21 All Change Back 21 Andy Groves Mike Smith The Monkton IV: Bronze Medal National 21 Matthew Wells Schools Regatta. Bow: Rostick Zakharov, Sam 22 1st Four Josh Stupples Fawcett, Josh Stupples, Str: Mike Lawrence, Cox: James Dodd, Coach: Ben Tipney 23 1st Eight at HRR Josh Stupples 24 Girls' Rowing Roisin Cogan 25 J16 Boys Alex Leflaive-Manley Editor Julian Bewick 26 J15 Boys Zoë Patterson Assistant Editor Robin Harris 27 J15 Eight and Four Chris Fry Cover Design Joe Short (1st VIII 1990) 28 Novices to NSR Max Leflaive-Manley Printer Ralph Allen Press 30 J14 Boys Guy Hooper

3 A Balancing Act and happy enterprise. All members of the crew, including the coach, learn over a period of time Who did you support at the Olympics? to depend on each other. Supporters who are not Was it team GB, or rowing team GB or a members of the crew can certainly encourage it, particular crew or a particular athlete? either just by being there or perhaps by I enjoyed coaching the J16 VIII while we contributing some practical help - food, transport, were in France on training camp. During those etc., but they remain outside what is essentially a few days, I got to know the crew quite well. A closed group - the rowing crew. couple of weeks later, the crew was once again In some sports, the success of the team under the watchful eye of their regular coach, hinges on its strongest member, and at the end and they represented our region at the Junior of the game a 'man of the match' is announced. Inter-Regional Regatta. Two or three other That is almost unthinkable in rowing; every Monkton crews had also been selected. I was no member of the crew plays an important part, longer coaching, so I had no obligation to go all ensuring that all are 'strongest links'. the way to Nottingham to support. If I was going So we can support a crew in one of several to go, would it be to support the region, the ways. Our support of an individual must be to School, MCSBC or the crew I had coached? help that athlete to be a loyal and effective For me the answer was quite clear - I went member of the crew. If we have followed the to support the crew that I had helped out in progress of a crew through a season (or more), France, because in a sense I was part of it. Of we can perhaps claim to be part of it - even if at course I watched the other crews racing as well, a distance, and we can contribute a little to the but as an outsider without such a personal spirit on which it depends. We join a small band interest in their results. of what we might call 'friends and family' I have no doubt that the manager of the supporters, a group recognised at the Olympics. regional team was interested in how all the The vast majority of GB supporters sat on the region's crews performed; the Director of Rowing other side of the course; their contribution would have been interested in the performance became known as the 'Dorney Roar', which was of the Monkton crews as a whole; the parents certainly important and uplifting to the racing who drove all the way to Nottingham would have crews. The great crowd from many nations gone to support individual athletes. shouted for each and every crew as it came So , what about the Olympics? Many of us down the course. Was it support, or was it mostly were enthralled by superb performances by excitement at seeing close racing? teams and individuals, and took pride in results Many were proud of the achievement of obtained by Team GB. But who did we support? I Team GB as a whole. Members of the team, who had coached Alex Partridge in his early days at had worked for four years, eight years or even Monkton, and remember him winning a medal at longer can look back on 2012 with a genuine the National Championships in a pair with John sense of achievement. Those who watched from Mildinhall; then there were World Junior outside the team were just spectators. Championships at Lintz and Plovdiv, followed Monkton is not Team GB, but there are later by Olympics in Beijing. John joined me at parallels. The individual is important; the crew or Dorney to support his old crewmate Alex, and we squad is a group of people who depend on each sat with his parents for the race. other; the individual who chooses to be part of it So my support of team GB was incidental. surrenders some freedoms, but gains much in People are more important than teams. return; crew and club spirit are essential, and are Does that leave the crew and team out in the built over a period of time. The support of the cold, then? Not at all. wider school community helps the club, its crews By undergoing appropriate training, a crew and its members, and in their turn they can make becomes fit and competent; also 'crew spirit' is their contribution to the success of the school. built up. This is a vital ingredient for a successful Julian Bewick 4 The Show Must Go On at school from the mouths of past school heroes Using the words of the late great Freddie is truly inspirational to a kid growing up. To hear Mercury, the show certainly must go on, and with how you made successes of yourselves in your the smoke just starting to clear from Olympic and chosen career paths is information which no Paralympic flame leaving the embers of the most career advisor can ever give. successful British team at the Olympic Games Although I haven't started in the role yet, I ever. History has been made in London but that have been made to feel very welcome and I look is all it is - history, and now we need to move to forward to meeting everyone of you. Please feel the future. The Olympic flag has been passed on free to contact me at any time to discuss the to Rio de Janeiro and the change has started. future of the club and if you are able to help in Where is the next Steve Williams, Alex Partridge anyway. or Rowley Douglas? But on the note I started I will finish: the I have forged my way through international show must go on and in the not too distant future sport, sharing the experience with others; I feel I we'll all be singing 'we are the Champions'. am ready to take on a new challenge. The motto Here is to Monkton and Bluefriars for the of the 2012 Olympic Games was 'Inspire a future! nation'. For me the past few weeks have inspired Matt Wells me to want to transfer some of the enjoyment and success I have had in my sport for the past twenty years on to the next generation. Whilst growing up I was told by both my parents who had careers in education that I Occasional Notes should find another occupation as academia isn't what everyone says about the long holidays. Also while I was competing I always said to Bluefriars Dinner myself that when I finish I will have another About 50 people attended a dinner at career away from sport. Unfortunately following Leander Club in April 2012. Guests included an immense amount of career advice I have relatives of the late John Chaplin (Captain of returned to one of the most challenging roles I Boats in 1952, when the 1st VIII became the only could possibly have chosen to do. Director of Monkton crew ever to reach a Henley final). John Rowing and teaching at Monkton Combe. left a substantial bequest to the Boat Club, and However, after I visited the school and saw for this has become a major gift to the Appeal. The myself the location, I fell in love with everything new boathouse at Saltford will be named the from the rolling green hills to the warm welcome I John Chaplin boathouse. We hope that it will received. So here I am at the bottom of a long inspire future generations of Monktonians to and winding road, with the excitement of a small follow in the footsteps of the 1952 crew. child starting their journey in life. I feel very privileged to becoming part of an exceptional The Appeal school with an unparalleled pedigree of rowing. The Boat Club Appeal is still open for What makes me aware of the genuine belief business! Generous donors have so far given in the school rowing club is that the Bluefriars is about £350,000, which has enabled essential such an active club. For people to come back to renovation work at Dundas to be carried out. In their school club years after they have retired addition to providing a substantial propotion of from the sport says to me that they were happy the funding for the construction of a new at the school and club. The support which you boathouse in Saltford. We hope that work there give as an old boys club is such a valuable will begin soon, but we have not yet received resource and over the coming months and years sufficient gifts to complete the project. The third I hope you can become more involved. To hear object of the Appeal is to set up a boat fund, the stories of victories, defeats and times spent 5 income from which will be used to supplement Olympic thank you the money that the school provides to replace equipment as it wears out. We are grateful to Alex Partridge for his permission to include the following email which So, if you haven't already given to the he sent to friends and family shortly before the Appeal, we hope you will do so now. You can Olympic regatta. give to the school, or give a single donation to Bluefriars which will be passed on to the school, Dear Family, or you can join the many who have set up The beginning of the Olympic Games is only regular donations to Bluefriars. These gifts, large a few days around the corner and I know I and small, add up to an annual income of about haven't spoken to many of you in a long time £8000, which the trustees use to support youth because I have been focused to this end. Before rowing both at Monkton and elsewhere. the whole thing kicks off I just wanted to write to Bluefriars has so far given £25,000 to the say a massive thank you for all your support up appeal and passed on a further £35,000 given to this point, and in this support allowing me to for the appeal via Bluefriars. be quite selfish in focussing on getting the absolute best out of myself up to now. To say this season has been an easy one, The small print and the ideal way I would like to have prepared To give to the school, for what is without a doubt the biggest sporting If you would like to give to the appeal, the occasion in my life would be a lie. But that is school will be happy to accept your donation. sport, sometimes there are things you can't Please contact the Development Office on 01225 control. Losing our key stroke man at the 721154 or download a copy of the appeal beginning of the racing season after such a brochure and a Gift Aid form from promising pre-World Cup training camp was a http://monktoncombeschool.com/monkton- very frustrating and challenging process to go foundation.html through. Racing a sub-strength crew at all three then click on Current Projects at the top of World Cup regattas led to a massive variability in the page). performance of the eight, unlike any other crew I had been a part of during my twelve years in the To give to Bluefriars, team. We had an ability to just miss out by the If you indicate that your gift is for the appeal, smallest of margins to the opposition favourites it will be passed on to the school. the Germans, or to be completely out of the back door against the rest of the world. As an athlete If you start a regular donation, Bluefriars will in a crew you train for those thousands of immediately send five times your annual kilometres and tens of thousands of strokes to donation to the appeal (While stocks last, as the gain predictability and consistency of supermarket might say!). performance. Sitting on the start line having no There is a Gift Aid form and a Banker's idea of the level at which you are going to Standing Order form on the website at perform is a recipe for creating an unhappy, www.bluefriars.org.uk/trust/give.htm frustrated, and, most importantly, unconfident If you use Internet banking it will help you to group of guys. So it no surprise that we finished know our account details: the World Cup season with our worst race and Bank: CAFbank; Sort code: 40-52-40; our lowest morale. Account Name: The Monkton Bluefriars The good thing is that after this very difficult Charitable Trust; Account Number: 00004739 period, we have our first choice crew back Contact [email protected] together with everyone fully fit. We have spent the last six weeks on two training camps, one at high altitude in the mountains of Silvretta, Austria, and the other here at our warm weather

6 holding camp, Aviz, Portugal. With our key stroke will be difficulties ahead, but I am confident man back, everyone else has been able to sit in because of the way this year has played out, and the seats in the boat that play to their strengths. who we are now. We will be the ones to keep our This may sound silly but the seating order of an heads. eight is just like fielding a rugby team, and let me I am so proud to be representing such a tell you playing your second row at scrum half great family out there and I hope we can deliver only leads to disaster. Straight away we have to get the right colour reward. been able to get back the natural speed that we Many thanks for all support had before the racing season began. Alex Aside from the very gruelling physical side to the training, everything we have done has been about gaining consistency in performance. This is technically in how we move the boat, the speed which we can produce, but more importantly mentally. Being able to get all nine guys and the coaches to sing from the same hymn sheet time and time again, suspending our own individual thoughts and buying totally into the collective. This has been a massive challenge and hard work as everyone in the boat is strong-willed, highly motivated, and stubborn. Suffice to say after much bludgeoning of skulls, group AA meetings, all the toys being emptied from the pram, egos being stripped to the plasterboard, and a Marines-style brain indoctrination program (joke), I think we are there. I cannot say we are going to win the Olympics. I only know that we have done everything we can do to get ourselves in the best possible position to do what we are capable of. I do know that what we are capable of is faster Alex, Ava and Gina Partridge than I have ever been before. I do know that we and the medal which was later stolen. are all aware that the only time this counts is in that small window of time that is the Olympic The further article which follows was written final, and with this in mind it is our sole goal to be for this Newsletter the ones who do the best, time after time, stroke And so it comes to that inevitable time of after stroke on the day. year again. The time that is as inevitable as So there you have it. Right now out here in death and taxes, when one receives the call from middle of nowhere in Portugal where the local the ever fervent and reliable JMB. "Hello Alex, highlights include a couple of roosters, a how are you.... right can you write an article for somewhat deranged Portuguese sheep dog, and the Bluefriars Newletter?" Well, instead of giving a donkey that has begun to give a disturbing the usual reply, "Of course Julian", and finding wink when walking down to training, the one hundred and one other things to do and Olympics still seem a lifetime away. Yet at the never actually getting round to it, I thought I had same time every night my head hits the pillow, I better grow up and get on with it, especially as I fight my brain to sleep with the excitement, guess this may the last time I have anything of anticipation, and nerves over what I know is in interest to write about. store for us in the days to come. I am sure there

7 There may or may not be the pre-Olympic in bed and tried to digest the fact that this home email I sent round to various members of the games Olympic experience was about to begin family and friends elsewhere in this Newsletter. and in about 16hrs I would be yet again doing This article will focus on one or two key moments battle with Germans, carting down the course from London 2012. My key moments at least. some 2km from my pillow. I felt no more nervous From an athlete's perspective the London than on any other night, before any other race, 2012 Olympic Games was quite simply on any other day and quite quickly I was falling incredible. It was the most well organised, best asleep to the dulcit tunes of my room mate's (the laid out, athlete and spectator focussed games eights two man's) nostril duet. and sporting event I have had the privilege to be We began the next day as usual. Stretch, part of. The two things that stand out to me in breakfast, coffee, ablutions, stretch, more coffee, making it such a fantastic experience were; first triple check kit bag, and jump on the ferry. A and foremost the volunteers or "Games Makers" gentle cruise up the Thames to the security as they were called; and then being part of a check point to access the venue. A beautiful home games. morning unfolded and the sunrise glistened over I will address the latter first as it ties the two the river as we cruised up to our special home together. Over the last four years building up to advantage gate. Head phones on, head down, London it was very difficult to imagine what a trying to visualise all the moments and our plan home games meant? Of course I had of the race ahead, I sauntered along from the experienced the pinacle of the rowing calendar boat to the airport security-esque athletes' gate. that is Henley Royal Regatta, as many oarsman This was the moment when it hit me. I passed do. I'd felt the buzz, electricity, and pride that through the metal detector trying to smile at the builds in the pit of your stomach as you row brilliant Army officers checking our bags and down the course within feet of your friends and tags, headphones still blaring deo in game family screaming and shouting your name. I also mode. The friendly smiles on all their faces had had the privilege of experiencing a home World an addition of extra twinkle in their eyes. I Cup and World Championships at Dorney Lake walked through the gate and there, stretched out in 2005 and 2006. The excitement of knowing for some 500m were some 300 odd volunteers the whole British rowing community were there and soldiers in a great long line. As we walked supporting just for you has been indelibly marked through they began an enormous standing in my memory. Even with this behind me I was ovation. still not prepared for what it would be like to be Writing this now tears are welling in my eyes part of the greatest British Olympic team in and a lump has formed in my throat. I can still history, and arguably the best Olympic Games feel the electric charge tingling down my spine, there has ever been. my heart beating in my chest with absolute pride, A small moment that perhaps may give you and trying to fight back the tears in front of this an insight of what this was like brings me back to most patriotic group of volunteers. This was just the games makers. After a rather anticlimactic after 6am. We were the only athletes there and opening ceremony, with the GB rowing team it was a private moment between our eight and walking a small lap around the gardens of our them. For me this was my moment of the games hotel, all dressed in our whiter than white This simple gesture by people who had given up spaceman opening ceremony garb, a somewhat their time for free, sometimes working 18 hour more enthusiastic than usual speech by our days, made me realise what it was to be a great leader, David Tanner....a stirring montage member of Team GB at a home Olympic Games. clip created by the BOA and the usual carb- Never have I felt so humbled and so proud at the fueled pre-race dinner, I finished my disgusting same time. It was then we realised it was our pre-sleep green tea and turned off the Danny responsibility to race for gold or nothing at all, Boyle extravaganza Opening Ceremony, because that is what it meant at that time to be somewhere mid-industrial revolution. I lay there representing Great Britain.

8 The one other memory I will never forget is The Bitter Sweet Symphony of The the physical wall of noise we hit at 1000m as we 2012 Olympic Games in London overtook Germany to gain the lead in our London 2012 was going to be my final Olympic final. We knew we had an incredible Olympics in a four year campaign. The dream challenge on our hands racing one of history's was to finish on top of the podium following the greatest eights. We knew we had to lead by the taste of success, which I received in Beijing. kilometre mark, as did almost all 35,000 people Although in the build up to the London Olympics there. We knew, as did Germany, that when we there was a very negative vibe being pushed out did this it was going to come down to who would from the press, I was able to overlook this as I then crack. So when we hit that noise I knew we knew that when the Olympic torch was lit and the were ahead. You could barely hear the cox but it Olympic Spirit washed over the UK it would all didn't matter; the crowd said it all, stirring such be different. an injection of adrenaline in the body I felt no pain even though every muscle in my body was The whole build up to this Olympics was screaming to stop. The rest as they say is bigger and better than ever before. The British history. Unfortunately our bodies did stop and press sent the whole country on a whirlwind we were the ones who cracked. The whole crew emotional rollercoaster, however the success of put everything on the line together and we died the 'greatest team' has really unified the whole together. Even so we were lucky still coming country together and made people really feel away with a bronze, and not what we initially proud to be British. said which was to win or nothing at all. Many My own build up to the Olympics was going Olympians aim to win and walk away with exceptionally well being in a double with Marcus nothing at all. Bateman. We were tag lined as the 'RedExpress' I am incredibly proud of the way we raced. as both of us being ginger it was inevitable that Yes, it was not the result that we wanted, but that we would generate some press. Our campaign is a credit to where British rowing has come over was going well, having a two year stretch where my 16 years in the sport and the investment from we didn't fail to medal in any race. During the UK Sport and all the many sponsors and beginning of the 2012 season, things were generous donors, parents, family and friends. I looking exceptionally good for both of us with could carry on writing of so many similar training and racing times being consistent and experiences during our racing and the time after looking very encouraging. The team spirit and enjoying being a non-competing member of trust we had developed in each other over the Team GB, but it would probably fill a book and two years of competing in the double sculls were may be a bit dull. Maybe that would be the only working well and gave us both confidence. way to do the Games and everyone who However, during the final year of a four year supported it justice. campaign, Jürgen Grobler, our chief coach, decided to change around the whole squad. This is perhaps the end to what has been an This shake-up left only one boat untouched from incredible journey, who knows? I just want to the previous season, that being Alan Campbell in say thank you to everyone who has been along his single. For me this change was massive, and on this journey, because there are so many of meant moving from a double scull which I had you without whom I wouldn't have taken part in competed in for 10 years into the quad sculls. fulfilling a young boy's dream. This change resulted in a shift in expectation of So thank you. what London 2012 could realistically hold for me. Sincerely If you had asked me back in January 2012 if I Alex Partridge would have been happy with a fifth place at my final Olympics I would have broken down in tears, but given all that happened I was very proud and pleased with my performance.

9 However, even with the change in and cars all surrounding the solitary torch bearer; expectations, the London 2012 Olympics will go nice to have the police in front and not chasing down as the best Games of the four I have us up behind! We each had our own torch, which attended. The Sydney 2000 Olympics is always we could keep, for a consideration, slightly top- heralded as the 'best games ever' which it heavy so that I nearly donked the policeman who received from the then president of the IOC was trying to unlock the gas burner. Then (Juan Antonio Samaranch) in the closing followed the 'kiss', transferring the flame from ceremony address. I felt that the London one torch to the next. 'Enjoy yourself and pass it Olympics surpassed this, without throwing more on,' came a little voice inside my head. So that's money and people at it as the Chinese had done just what I did. in Beijing but by being 'British' and really The next encounter was a very brief one and embracing the Olympic Spirit. Typically the took place at Henley-on-Thames. The plan was volunteer programme (the games makers) was for an VIII to be waiting at the River and Rowing over subscribed and this showed the Museum on the Bucks side of the river, into involvement that everyone wanted to be part of which Steve Redgrave, rowing with one hand the Olympics. and holding the Torch in the other, and two This Spirit was what made the Olympics for Security men, embarked for the short row down me and when I think back to racing in Dorney in to the Regatta finish, turned and landed at the August I have very happy memories of the sheer Leander Club pontoon. This was where about noise of the 'Dorney Roar'. Although my last twelve of us made a triumphal arch with oars Olympics didn't give me the fairy tale ending I aloft. Steve came through and disappeared in had trained for, I am pleased to have been part the direction of Maidenhead - all over in a matter of it. I now hope that the legacy of the 2012 of minutes. Olympics - inspire a nation - will actually do that The third encounter was the most and I look forward to watching my country's spectacular of all; this was on July 27th, the day athletes continue to be successful. of the Opening Ceremony. It started at 6.30am at Matthew Wells Hampton Court Banqueting House wharf, where the Queen's Barge, the Gloriana, was moored . It was an early start as we were programmed to Four Encounters with the Torch reach Tower Bridge by 1.00pm, and Gloriana is May 1st was Day 1 of the 8000-mile journey no lightship. The oars are solid wood, and it has for the Olympian Flame; starting at Land's End fixed seats like a gig. More crowds along both with Ben Ainslie, it came up through Cornwall to banks and much cheering, a really emotional Plymouth. My slot was in St. Austell. By mid-day, atmosphere. There were 16 thwarts and several the 15 bearers were assembled at the Eden willing hands to take turns at pulling. I found Project, from where a shuttle bus took us round myself placed at stroke, which meant I could get the by-pass to a village on the Newquay Road away with setting a gentle rate of striking, letting called St. Stephen. Here we waited for the the others do the work! They were all younger cavalcade. than me anyway. Seeing the whole river from its centre was a totally new and memorable First off was a plucky youngster in a experience, bridge after bridge, Richmond, wheelchair; I was told he had cancer. Thereafter, Twickenham, Kew, then the famous Course in and at 300m intervals, we were dropped off reverse, Mortlake to Putney, and this time we through the centre of the town. The crowds were had the ebb tide to help us. I think there were 17 enormous all along both sides of the streets, a bridges, not counting the railways. As the river foretaste of what was to come. widened, the cheering got further and further Luckily, my 'run' was on a gentle downhill away, but louder. At one point, we moored up for slope in Alexander Road. Accompanying us was a brief visit by Lord Sutton, the owner of the a cavalcade of blue-flashing police bikes, vans Barge.

10 Finally, the London Eye came into view and Captain of Leander and a practising architect, the Shard, with HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge and documents prepared: but the economic with the five Olympic rings suspended from its climate changed, and the Trench (an inevitable centre. Despite arriving ahead of schedule, I name in view of the then Head Master, Antony dallied with Paul Bircher, the other '48er, who Chenevix-Trench) was shelved. Briefly but was struggling a bit; so we missed hearing what unsuccessfully revived in the early 1970's, the Boris Johnson had to say at the City Hall during matter was again raised in the mid-1980's. lunch. What a day! We still had the Opening This time the updating and preparation of Ceremony to attend, and that went on till 1.30 the scheme took over three years. Advice was next morning. sought from all available sources - Nottingham, You have probably all had sight of the arena FISA, the ARA, the Sports Council, Ministries, all events, but to be sitting in the Stadium, feeling who might be able to help Eton prepare a viable almost part of the show, was unforgettable. All scheme. In 1988 it was announced to other the previous Olympians had seats at ground schools at a meeting of the Kitchin Society (the level just beside the musicians' podium so that dinner at Eton was presided over by the late we could make our way out into the arena for the Thomi Keller, who flew over especially from entry of the Torch; this was a fitting climax to Switzerland); in 1990 it became public 'The People's Games'. Instead of one Torch knowledge; and in 1991 planning permission bearer doing the circuit, the Flame was carried was formally sought. However, this brief round the stadium by six young aspiring description makes the task seem simpler than it Olympians, each carrying a torch with which the actually was. The preparation cost a great deal Cauldron was lit. of professional time and money - those who Five days later, I was with son, Philip, and guess at half a million pounds may not be far grandson, Patrick, at Eton Dorney for the Finals wrong. of the Womens' Pair and Mens' Eights, both The project is self-financing. At the end of having GB representatives. The former saw the the day (at least ten years hence) several million first Gold for the GB Team and the crowd went pounds will have been spent, the whole paid for wild with excitement. The atmosphere was by the sale of gravel that underlies the site in the electric. Last race of the morning saw the Mens' Thames Valley. The country will have a brand Eight in second place all the way up the course new eight lane two thousand metre rowing till the last few strokes. They did get a medal, course, with separate return lanes, all within less albeit bronze. than one hour's travel from central London or Mike Lapage - Silver medallist, GB VIII 1948 from Oxford. Eton will manage it: Eton has already said The Olympic Rowing Lake publicly that the course will be dedicated to rowing (no water-skiing, power-boats, etc) and Members of Bluefriars were amongst many in available every day to others who wish to use it. the rowing community who wrote to the planning So what, you may say, is the problem? And authorities in 1992 supporting the project to build why this article? Well, we live in a democracy: a rowing lake at Dorney. This is an abridged planning permission had to be sought, and on version of an article which appeared in the 1992 December 16th 1991 Eton's plans were turned Newsletter. down by Buckinghamshire County Council. It was in 1960 that a far-sighted group of So here we have a school - admittedly with people at Eton first proposed that the College more than a passing interest in rowing - offering should build its own rowing course. The land to provide the country with a much needed near Eton was available, and in the College's facility at no cost either to the country or to the possession, and the river even then had been rowing fraternity. seen to be far from suitable. When Eton asked the rowing fraternity for A pilot study was done by Peter Sutherland, 11 support many excellent letters were sent to the by some brilliant athletes with tremendous County Planning Officer, and clearly the contents camaraderie between all the players, officials of these changed the County's view of the need and spectators of the eight nations taking part. for a rowing course. However, it was not quite Staged in the Basketball Arena in front of record- sufficient to tip the balance in favour of the breaking audiences the atmosphere of this sport application. originally known as Murderball was quite When a similar case occurred in the sailing something! world, five thousand individual sailors wrote in to It was a privilege to be part of what is being the Minister for the Environment supporting the recognised as one of the best ever Olympic and scheme. It was passed. The rowing community Paralympic Games. needs to show a similar commitment. At Appeal, Andrew Tapley (MCSBC 1st VIII Cox 1968) the Minister for the Environment would Hockey and Wheelchair Rugby Services reconsider the application. He will be in a Manager - London Organising Committee for the position to take into consideration regional and Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) national factors, and it is right that he should know the depth of support for the project. Light at the end of the Tunnel A reply card was enclosed with every copy of the Exhilarating! That's the best word I can find 1992 Bluefriars newsletter, enabling readers to to describe my feelings just before midnight on support the scheme. Friday 27th July, as I stood in the tunnel at the Olympic Stadium and watched Steve Redgrave trot past carrying the Olympic flame aloft. I was Olympic Hockey and Rugby there as part of a team of 450 or so hard-hatted I worked full time for two years commencing folk from Team Stadium, the combined design in September 2010. Every sport had a key and construction team that worked from 2006 to management team of three people and I was 2011 to deliver the stadium, and we'd been part of the hockey and wheelchair rugby team. invited to share the excitement of the Opening As a sport we were responsible for the staging of Ceremony by lining the route as the torch was the competition, working in close collaboration brought in. So often, once we've finished with the relevant International Federations and designing and building our projects, we the GB National Governing Bodies. My role disappear off to the next interesting challenge, included the recruitment and training of the never to see the completed building in serious Games Makers, responsibility for the wellbeing use. So it was a mesmerising treat to see the of the appointed officials for each sport and stadium being used for its designed purpose and liaising with both Federation and GB VIPs being used so spectacularly well. throughout the tournament. I have been involved Danny Boyle's show was a masterpiece of in hockey for more than 30 years so this was a invention and wit, and being allowed to share in dream come true and highlights included the final section as the beautifully innovative meeting the only living triple hockey gold cauldron came together was truly one of the medallist Balbir Singh (1948, 52 & 56) and highlights of my working life. There were twenty arranging a day for him at the Riverbank Arena of us from Buro Happold, and we shared delight and, of course, seeing the GB women's team win and pride in our achievement with colleagues their first Olympic Medal in twenty years. from Populous, the architect, and Sir Robert Hockey was the third most watched event and McAlpine, the contractor, inducing grins and playing on a blue pitch with yellow ball certainly kisses rarely seen amongst a construction team. raised its profile internationally. It really reminded us just why construction is Wheelchair Rugby was a new sport to me such a rewarding business to be in, seeing five and I have become a committed fan of this years' hard work come to fruition in such incredibly exciting and fast paced game, played spectacular fashion. Getting spotted on TV by 12 the watching billions was just a bonus! Exciting, Olympic village was very close to the dinghy amazing, astounding, and yes, exhilarating... park from where the boats were launched and Tanya Ross the Polyclinic was between the two, so we were Tanya works for Buro Happold and was Project very much in the middle of things. Director for the construction of the Olympic The clinical team comprised Sports Doctors, Stadium; she led the engineering design team of Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, about 90 who worked on the project. Dentists, Nurses and Sports Massage Tanya rowed once at Monkton, with Marjon Bell, Therapists. A team of up to three of us saw and decided very rapidly that she would stick to patients, and we would all examine them and hockey! then discuss our findings and the most appropriate course of action. This meant that we were all able to present how we would manage Reflections from Weymouth the case to our colleagues, and usually a combination of treatments was employed. The After the collective media driven depression key was to get the individual back on the water that descended over the country in the couple of as quickly as possible and in the best possible months leading up to the Olympics, with potential condition. It was a very different clinical disasters ranging from terrorism, ticketing environment to that of private practice, and the fiascos, transport gridlock and then at the start of need for immediate results put us all under a bit the games Britain's inability to win a gold medal, of pressure. In most cases the joint approach how wonderful it was to witness the triumph that worked extremely well, and it reinforced my view the Games were in the end. The opening that a more integrated approach is the way ceremony set the tone with a degree of British forward. eccentricity blended with spectacle and humour. For the majority of the regatta the winds Then the weather was as good as we could have were strong, and this inevitably took its toll. hoped for. Lower back and shoulder injuries seemed to When the medals started to come, there predominate and, with the pressure of seemed to be a never-ending stream of them. competition, quick results were required, and Almost every day we were told of those who that is where we as a profession came into our were medal hopes in their events, some of whom own; manipulation restoring normal function to we had never heard of, and invariably they acutely restricted joints in a way that soft tissue delivered the goods. I do not remember being as work and muscle stretching alone could not. It proud of my fellow countrymen as I was during was very important for us as a profession to those two weeks, and (writing this just before the demonstrate that we brought something different start of the Paralympics) we have another to the party, but that it was part of an integrated festival of sport about to begin when I am sure approach. In the event I was involved in treating that we will be equally as mesmerised, not only 7 athletes from Croatia, Israel, South Africa, by the performances but also by the stories Brazil and 2 from Spain. I also treated several of behind them. the course-setters who were constantly lifting It was the first time that the Chiropractic and dropping anchors, and two camera men who profession has been involved in the medical were being tossed about in ribs while holding team for a summer Olympic Games, and I was heavy cameras on one shoulder. Keeping the honoured and very proud to have been selected support staff going was a very important element to be part of the team looking after the sailors in the smooth running of the event. down in Weymouth and Portland. Sailing has My shifts were from 6.00 am to 2.00 pm so I been a passion of mine for most of my life and it was able to join my family to watch the afternoon was a fantastic opportunity to be part of the racing, and we were able to keep up with the Olympic regatta, even if only on the sidelines. action on a big screen TV in the Polyclinic in the The whole set-up was very intimate. The morning.

13 There were some real moments of drama, by Frances Houghton's father - a wonderfully not least Ben Ainslie's triumph over the Dane, small world) at the Paralympic Games at Dorney Hogh-Christensen to win his fourth gold medal; Lake. Nick Dempsey's silver in the windsurfing, and It turns out that talking over a tannoy to also some very exciting racing, well explained 10,000 people plus the audience of Radio and reported. Berkshire is a tiny bit more scary than talking to Sailing is not a spectator sport like some, 8 boys through a cox box. Undeterred, Robert and if you are unfamiliar with it, it is not easy to was an incredibly patient coach, and was nice follow. The BBC coverage allowed everyone who enough to give me some kind words at the end wanted to, to follow the racing and understand of the week. On top of this, coming into the what was happening, and the free big screens unfamiliar production team was slightly nerve- on the beach at Weymouth made it very wracking, as after more than 6 weeks of Olympic accessible. They had closed off the sea front to duty they were a tight knit group, with many an traffic so Weymouth was a great place to be with in-joke. They were fantastic however, and in 5 the sun shining and a buzzing atmosphere. The days I made great friends when I didn't expect fine weather meant that my family had a really to. good time on the beach, and I was able to mix Commentary gives an odd perspective on an work with a holiday in a way that I had not event. More than a journalist, you report on the expected possible. We also found some great racing happening in front of you, but it's an restaurants for dinner each evening. immediate, personal reaction to the events - At the time it was amazing to be a part of it; there's no time to reflect, the words flow now after the event it seems even better. To alongside the races whilst hoping to convey to reflect on the whole Olympics, the performances, those who may not be able to see the race the lack of problems and the sheer joy of those what's happening on the water. two weeks will be a memory that will last forever, Finals day was emotional in so many ways. and I also learnt a trick or two to bring back to First in the B finals, the Spaniard, Juan de practice! Barcia, was rowed through in the last few metres Peter Dixon after his strapping fell undone. Then Tom Aggar, the face of Paralympic rowing and national hero, shocked the crowds by coming 4th, missing out A Paralympic Commentary on a medal and breaking his previous title of 'never having lost a race'. Robert and I sat in If I had to describe this year in one word, it silence in the car back to the start, shell shocked would be 'turbulent'. This is for many reasons, at what we had just been a part of. but as always, rowing has been at the centre of it all. Trialling at the end of the Olympiad is The last race of the Paralympic Regatta was stressful for everyone, but I don't think anyone the LTA coxed four. As 'my' event, I would be will think I am exaggerating if I say that to be one commentating on the very race I had spent 4 of those who just missed out on the whole years trying to compe in. I surprised myself by package is one of the most galling and truly dealing exceptionally well with it at the time. After horrible experiences. However, I really do the sorrows of the previous races for GBR, I sat believe that everything happens for a reason and on the start in the car holding my microphone there have already been some excellent things and twitching with nervous energy; I wanted that have occurred as a result of that one thing them to win so badly. Through the race, I feel I not going according to plan! did a pretty good job - and I certainly let the rush of excitement show in my commentary as GBR Either way, I found myself joining the famous came in to cross the line and take Gold, our only Robert Treharne-Jones (you will certainly know medal of the regatta. his voice, as he has commentated on rowing since time began) in the commentary car (driven I must admit that everything hit me just before the medal ceremony, where I couldn't 14 watch and disappeared to find a quiet corner. continuing back problems I have taken up work Thank you to our lovely Production Assistants, as a volunteer rowing coach at Southampton who turned up later and force fed me tea and University. I currently spend each day working chocolate (never fails to cheer me up). with the Women's squad on land and have been coaching the Novice Women on the water. The So - commentary was a strange experience; land training has been going well with the I was very much part of the event, but in such a seniors all improving beyond their previous best fundamentally different way to my previous scores, and the novices have now trained up to a experience. Very odd. Something I would rather similar standard leading to the squads merging like to repeat though - listen out at HRR next early in the year. year, as I have a feeling I am going to join the The novice squad rowed well at the ranks of Regatta Radio for a bit... University of Bristol Head at the end of November but unfortunately without early Rhiannon Jones success. Recently we raced the University of Bournemouth squad on the Itchen water (in what Cox - GBR LTA4+ 2009-2010 turned out to be a rather unbalanced varsity (World Champion and Silver medallist) race) and won the race with the verdict 'easily' MCSBC Assistant Rowing Coach 2009-2010 over the 4.5km course. The squad have begun to work well together and we are about to enter four weeks of back to back Head racing where View from Above we hope to see success in the Women's Quad, Perhaps you were impressed by the the Novice Four (which beat the Intermediate pictures provided by the camera which was eight in training) and the Novice Eight. suspended by a wire which ran the whole length I am really enjoying my time back in the of the course. During the regatta, I spent some rowing world and have been trying to instil some time studying the wire, and enlisted help from of the Monkton and Bluefriars spirit into the friends to make a few estimates. We thought the squad, with the replication of sessions, race supporting tower near the finish was between 80 plans, Captain's Tea, but more importantly the and 100m high; the commentator said that the general spirit of squad and club rowing. wire was about 20 feet above the water at its I hope all is well with Monkton Rowing and lowest point. When the camera finished following hope to come down in my Easter break to have a one race, it could return to the start at about 70 catch up with the club. km/h. I thought of an interesting mechanics Toby Johnson (Captain MCSBC 2006/7) question: "Making sensible assumptions, estimate the tension in the wire and the height of the wire above the water at the 500m and 1500m Extra man in the Boat - Who'd be a marks." One assumption I made was that the Coach? well actually...... wire was made of stainless steel and was probably about the diameter of a finger. 2012 has so far been a very eventful for Since the regatta, I have been told that the MCSBC, with changes of Rowing Director, Mr wire was made of Kevlar, not steel. If the wire Tipney joining and subsequently departing and had been made of steel, it could not have being replaced by Mr Wells fresh from Olympic supported its own weight, whatever its diameter. Competition, some other new coaching staff and There's another question for you! a good lot of wins as well - most notable the Julian Bewick Bronze medal for the Coxed Four at National Schools alongside strong performances at this News from the Itchen national level from across the Boat Club. On a personal level, as well as the joys of Whilst I still struggle on the water myself with Heads, Regattas and training (not to mention a

15 few GCSE exams to fit in) and following a chat the boat club, I hope to keep coaching and see with Mr Bewick and encouragement from the all of the new members this year go on and have Monkton Bluefriars trustees and the Club huge successes in their time at the school. Captain/Junior Coach Penny Senior at Avon I have now had my assessment Pass County Rowing Club where I am also a rowing confirmed and have been awarded the UKCC member, I have been completing my UKCC Rowing Coaching Level 2 qualification. Under Rowing Coaching Qualification. British Rowing this formal qualification is the Starting back in March, this has required foundation award for those who aspire to coach about three weekends and a few evenings of rowers and for those who might wish to seek formal classroom based theory and assessed more permanent paid coaching positions in the question papers, some practical first aid, leading future (watch out Jürgen!) The Monkton some capsize drills in the pool, lots of planning Bluefriars Trustees are keen to expand real training schedules and completing risk involvement in the sport of rowing at Monkton, assessments, and - the best bit - lots of real not only as participants but also into other roles coaching of rowers of various ages and abilities. in the sport such as coaching. I would like to The final part of the qualification was an thank the Monkton Bluefriars Trust for their independently assessed 2 hour coaching support as I have completed this qualification, session. I undertook this in mid August at Avon and the coaches at Avon County for their time, County, who had arranged the course in advice and practical help throughout the course. conjunction with 1st4Sport and British Rowing, I hope that I can offer something back on an evening interspersed with thundery through the development of our aspiring rowers weather (which brought the quality of my risk in the future. If you would like to find out more assessments into focus!) and I had to adjust the about the L2 coaching award just come and ask planed rowing session at short notice to deal - if I'm not out there training or competing, I'm with the real time conditions - just what you want probably the one in the launch offering the, with an assessor watching your every move! hopefully helpful, advice!! In support of the course and to gain real Chris Brown coaching experience, in the school summer term Monkton Combe School Boat Club I had the pleasure of coaching the new J14 (Year J17 and (newly qualified) Coach 9) girls crew from time to time. It was a very rewarding experience to see how much progress Boomerang Boots they made in such a short time. As a coach, During the summer, Mike Smith usually goes there is nothing better than seeing the crew that to Bradford-on-Avon RC at least twice a week to you have been coaching putting in a very strong row. One Tuesday, when the river had yet again performance at regattas. I also had the flooded because of the heavy rain we'd opportunity to take out some of the more senior experienced, (IN JULY!!!), he and some of the boys in singles, this was a very valuable other veterans had decided to row in a coxed experience and I feel that both those rowing and four. Unfortunately the landing stage, not being a I learnt a lot from each other. As one would pontoon, was underwater, so the four had to expect when coaching lots of rowers, as a new wade to put the boat in. Mike had, however, coach, there are always going to be times when forgotten his wellies, so he pulled on a pair of the things don't go quite to plan (the coach's plan club's boots, which are available for these that is!!), but thanks to the help and willingness situations. Stepping into the water, he was of all of the other coaches to offer advice (!) and shocked to find that the boots leaked like a tap, to the rowers' enthusiasm and forbearance these soaking his bright red woollen socks, of which he moments are soon overcome, the session is very fond. Very grumpy, he threw the boots completed successfully and an opportunity to into the swirling current, and got into the boat, discuss 'learning points' !! grumbling about his wet feet. As time goes on and as I progress through At the time, I was paddling in my single, and 16 halfway down the reach, I caught sight of a However the boots, although defeated, had halfwaywellington down boot thefloating reach, down, I caughtand a secondsight of one a theirHowever revenge. theWhen boots, we hadalthough lunch defeated,with JMB andhad wellingtonnot far away. boot Thinking floating down,that they and would a second make one a theira relative revenge. at the When pub sometimewe had lunch later, with Mike JMB S wasand notgreat far additionaway. Thinking to the thatclub theyboot would collection, make aI astill relative complaining at the aboutpub sometime his sodden later, wet Mike socks. S was greatbacked addition down, scoopedto the themclub bootinto mycollection, boat, and I stillAlex complaining Manley about his sodden wet socks. backedrowed on. down, I came scooped in after them Mike's into myfour, boat, so asand I Alex Manley rowedlanded on.on theI came stage, in I aftersaid Mike'sto Mike four, that soI had as aI landedpair of bootson the for stage, him. IMike said wasto Mike cross that to sayI had the a Bluefriars Head Race - behind the pairleast! of 'Just boots chucked for him. thoseMike wasthings cross in, youto say stupid the Bluefriars Headscenes Race - behind the least!boy!', 'Justhe yelled. chucked He those grabbed things the in, boots,you stupid and scenes boy!',chucked he them yelled. into Hethe rivergrabbed again. the boots, and 2012 was the 42nd year of the Bluefriars chuckedHowever, them alsointo theon riverthe riveragain. at the time was Head2012 Race, was which the 42ndwas foundedyear of inthe 1971. Bluefriars Four races have been lost in recent years because of the However,recent Monkton also on captainthe river Mikeat the Lawrence, time was Head Race, which was founded in 1971. Four bad river conditions. thetraining recent in aMonkton double. Thecaptain pair Mikespied Lawrence,a pair of races have been lost in recent years because of trainingboots floating in a double.down the The river, pair scooped spied athem pair up, of bad Thereriver conditions. had been a great deal of rain in the bootsand then floating paddled down back the up river, to the scooped top. 20 them minutes up, weekThere or so had before been the a race, great so deal it looked of rain as in if theyet andafter then Mike paddled S had thrownback up the to bootsthe top. away, 20 minutes Mike L weekanother or raceso before would the be race,lost. Much so it lookedtime was as spentif yet aftershouted Mike to S Mikehad thrownS, 'We've the bootsgot a away,new pairMike ofL anotheron the Internet race would to find be lost.out projectedMuch time river was levels, spent shoutedboots for tothe Mike club!' S, Poor 'We've Mike got was a gettingnew pair rather of onand the it turnedInternet out to thatfind aout useful projected page river was levels,http:// bootsgrumpy for atthe this club!' stage Poor toMike say was the getting least. rather 'I've andwww.environment-agency.gov.uk/ it turned out that a useful page was http:// grumpychucked atthose this thingsstage into twice say now,the least.you stupid 'I've www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/120718.aspx , chuckedboy!', grumbled those thingsMike S,in whotwice then now, snatched you stupid the homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/120718.aspxwhich shows height readings on watercourses , boy!',boots grumbledfrom Mike Mike L, and S, hurledwho then them snatched in the bin,the whichupstream shows of Saltford.height readings The effect on ofwatercourses heavy rain bootswhere fromno oneMike would L, and try hurled to get them them in out.the bin,He upstreamwas moving of downstream,Saltford. The taking effect 12 of toheavy 24 hours rain wherehoped. no one would try to get them out. He wasto get moving from the downstream, Trowbridge taking area to12 Saltford. to 24 hours The hoped. tonight get beforefrom the the Trowbridge race, the levelarea toat Saltford.Saltford wasThe night before the race, the level at Saltford was

Bluefriars Head Bluefriars Head

17 dropping, but only just quickly enough to It was a bright sunny day, and the river level dropping,encourage butus notonly to canceljust quickly the race. enough We sent to droppedIt was during a bright racing, sunny so day, that and by mid-afternoonthe river level encourageseveral emails us notto clubsto cancel explaining the race. the situation,We sent droppedconditions during were muchracing, improved. so that by mid-afternoon severaland as aemails result to some clubs young explaining and inexperiencedthe situation, conditions The race were could much not improved. have taken place without andcompetitors as a result were some withdrawn young from and the inexperienced race. the help The ofrace over could 70 volunteersnot have taken from placeAvon withoutCounty competitorsWhen we were arrived withdrawn at Saltford from theon racerace. day at theand helpMinerva of over as well70 volunteers as a few from from Monkton. Avon County aboutWhen 0730, we the arrived river was at Saltford down, but on therace flow day rate at and MinervaMembers as wellof asMCSBC a few fromhave Monkton. often been aboutwas still 0730, very the high. river Universitywas down, ofbut Bristol the flow crews rate helpers Members at the race,of MCSBC usually havedoing oftenjobs whichbeen washad beenstill veryout early high. to University leave the riverof Bristol clear forcrews us, helpersneed little at training.the race, This usually time, doingfor the jobs first whichtime, hadand beenthey outreported early tothat leave conditions the river near clear the for topus, needone memberlittle training. holds This a time,RYA forlaunch the first driving time, andlock theywere reportednot at all that easy. conditions The race near committee, the top onecertificate, member so washolds able a to RYAhelp uslaunch as a drivingdriver; lockconsisting were notof twoat all FISA easy. umpiresThe race and committee, myself, certificate,another is soa wasqualified able coachto help and us asdriver, a driver; and consistingdiscussed theof situationtwo FISA - theumpires race was and on myself,a knife anotherhelped similarly. is a qualified An OM Bluefriarcoach and was driver, part of andthe discussededge. We thekept situation the coaches - the raceof competing was on a clubsknife helpedtiming teamsimilarly. at the An finish, OM Bluefriar and several was partparents of the of edge.fully informed We kept of theour coachesdiscussions. of competing clubs timingmembers team of at thethe finish,boat cluband severalhelped parentsout with of fully Eventually,informed of ourhaving discussions. delayed crews getting membersmarshalling, of timekeeping,the boat club car helped parking. out withThe ontoEventually, the water, wehaving decided delayed to go ahead,crews butgetting with marshalling,contributions oftimekeeping, all these people car showparking. that thereThe ontothe start the water,moved we downstream decided to goof ahead,Newbridge, but with so contributionsis more to rowing of all than these pulling people an oar.show that there thethat startmore moved space downstream would beof Newbridge,available forso is moreThere to rowingwas a recordthan pulling entry ofan 199 oar. crews. thatmarshalling more inspace reasonably would calm be water.available We alsofor JulianThere Bewick was a record entry of 199 crews. marshallingconsidered movingin reasonably the finish calm upstream water. We to alsogive Julian Bewick consideredmore room movingfor crews the tofinish turn upstream when they to givehad Good-morning Vietnam morefinished room the race.for crews (The finishto turn is onlywhen about they 300m had Good-morning Vietnam finishedabove the the weir).race. (TheExtra finish marshals is only were about placed 300m 2012 has been an enjoyable rowing year, abovenear the the start, weir). at theExtra difficult marshals midcourse were bridge,placed some2012 highlights has been being an enjoyablethe annual rowing Monkton year, nearand belowthe start, the atfinish. the difficultThe finish midcourse was left bridge,in the somerowing highlightstrip to France being (hard the training annual and Monkton lots of andcustomary below place,the finish. but inThe the finish first division,was left crewsin the rowingrevision(!) trip - toas France I remind (hard my training parents); and then lots weof customarywere additionally place, buttimed in theas theyfirst division,went past crews the revision(!)had the pleasure - as I ofremind watching my theparents); Olympic then rowing we wereregatta additionally finish which timed is as about they went200m past further the hadheats the and pleasure semi-finals of watching at Dorney the OlympicLake; and rowing the regattaupstream, finish to allowwhich usis toabout move 200m the furtherfinish heatsyear culminated and semi-finals in my rowingat Dorney a single Lake; scull and in the upstream,upstream forto later allow divisions us toif necessary.move the finish yearFar East. culminated in my rowing a single scull in the upstream for later divisions if necessary. Far East.

Henry Kane sculling on Ho Tay, Ha Noi Henry Kane sculling on Ho Tay, Ha Noi

18 During this summer, my family and I went on crews from Cambridge Uni, Leander, Molesey BC, an adventure backpacking holiday to explore Newcastle Uni and Nottingham etc. Cambodia and then sail down the Mekong River This is the culmination of my first 5 weeks of into Vietnam. intensive training with OBU. It has been more Whilst visiting the nation's capital, Ha Noi, enjoyable than I had imagined it would be, as just after sunrise as I looked at the awakening training in large groups of very committed athletes city, I noticed various rowing crews congregating brings a competitiveness and camaradarie which is at the West Lake Rowing Club. The West Lake missing when you spend much of your time training or Ho Tay (Vietnamese name) is a freshwater on your own. lake around which the capital city has grown. My main aim since September has been to Throughout our trip, the Vietnamese had been increase my fitness levels by doing regular weekly so friendly and welcoming, so hesitating for no 30 minute tests, whilst getting my weight down by 5 more than a second, I wondered if they would or 6 kg. Both are going well. We have 3 sessions on the river each week at the moment, including a allow me to join them; there was only one way to 5 hr session every Saturday and Sunday morning find out! on a lovely 10.5km stretch of the Thames at Having introduced myself to the Club Wallingford. Secretary, I was invited to meet the Vietnamese I'm loving University life - my biggest challenge, Olympic rowing squad and their Head Coach at however, is cooking enough good food to sustain their national training centre. Minutes later, I was all the training! afloat on the lake which covers approximately In the run up to Christmas I have a few things to 500 hectares of land, with various types of look forward to. There is the Fours Head of the building around its 10.6 miles of shore line. It River - I've just started stroking one of the coxed was an amazing experience to be able to join 4's; then I have the U23 National Trials at Boston, their national team during a training session and having already achieved the qualifying time of 6.20; a brilliant way to see the sights around the lake, and finally a speed dating event with one of the a view point that not many tourists experience. Oxford Women's Colleges! I'm not sure which one Moreover I would not have been able to makes me the most nervous! have this opportunity if I had not learnt to row at Finally I'd like to wish the new Director of Rowing at Monkton. It has given me the ability and Monkton, Matt Wells and Captain of Boats, Josh confidence to enjoy rowing both at home and Stupples and his team all the very best for the abroad and I look forward to a successful season rowing season at Monkton. I will be watching from in 2013. afar with great interest. Good luck and see you all Henry Kane at Henley! Mike Lawrence (MCSBC Captain 2010/11, 11/12) Thoughts from the Landing Stage I had a terrific final year at Monkton - and winning a The Dundas Boathouse update medal at the National Schools Regatta with Josh, Sam, Rostick and Doddy was a brilliant way to end As most of you probably know there were three years of rowing in the top boat. grand schemes afoot to bring the Dundas Now here I am standing on the pontoon at Eton Boathouse that we all know and love into the Dorney, ready to take part in the Diamond Jubilee 21st century as part of the Boat Club appeal. To Rowing Regatta. I am surrounded by 47 oarsmen say that things have moved slowly is somewhat and 6 coxes, all from Oxford Brookes University of an understatement. Boat Club. The 6 boats take up every available So first a little bit of history. Most of the launch position and Henry BW [Henry Bailhache present Boathouse was built in 1952 after a large Webb - OM and coach] is giving us our final and mysterious fire, that could be seen from the instructions prior to the time trials and what will be school apparently, destroyed the old wooden one my first competitive row for the University. There and all the boats inside it. It was extended in the are 22 other boats in the competition including elite late 60's to include the Eights bay on the left

19 So to the present state of affairs. The single pitch roof has given way to the double gabled one that we are so familiar with. All the asbestos roofing material has gone, no mean task from such a restricted and remote site. It has been replaced by a more robust and modern corrugated aluminium, which hopefully will be a little bit more resistant to large trees dropping on it and in turn onto the boats below. The floor in the original building has been replaced, there being very little underneath it as all the shuttering and infill had long since disappeared somewhere, revealing a great void and little else. The footings, or lack of them, for the walls were in a similar perilous state. Of course while this was being done all the 51 boats in our fleet had to be removed and we were indeed fortunate to have the recently purchased Mill building available to store them for some 4 months. Just getting these out and up to the mill did require a bit of 'Boy Power', but as it was boat moving we got away with it!! Of The Boathouse during renovation course when it was all finished we then had to put them all back again. The work has more or less finished now and hand side. I think it is fair to say nothing much most of you will not really notice much change, has changed since then. Incidently that we are going to get some new doors and, if we construction was largely completed by 'Boy are really lucky, mains electricity - but this Power' as JMB would describe it and I'm sure involves yet another fight with English Heritage, some of you reading this were part of that along with the newly formed Canal and River power!! Unfortunately that option is not available Trust as it means digging up the canal towpath to us now as health and safety has reared its to get the supply in. ugly head and now quite unreasonably say we Watch this Space. can no longer ask the pupils to carry 1cwt bags Mike Smith of cement and 800 concrete blocks down to the site from the Basin for any of our rebuilding In doing a bit of research about the fire of efforts! 1951, I came across Dick Hole's book on the We also have the bureaucratic ways of the history of the club from 1878 to 1978. I think JMB Environment Agency and English Heritage to has a few copies at Church Cottages and we deal with. The Environment Agency will not let us have a few in the workshop; it is a fascinating do anything in or on the river and English read about the past glories of the school crews. Heritage will not let us change anything in the I'm sure all proceeds will go to Bluefriars, so a vicinity of the Aqueduct as it is a Grade 1 Listed wise buy as well !! Monument, so these restrictions somewhat tie our hands as to what can be done. It is just as well we built a boathouse there before all these restrictions were put in place as we would never have been allowed to put any form of structure there now!!

20 All Change time down on the river than he did up at the school supposedly studying for his GCSEs! As reported in last year's newsletter, Gordon I'm sure he regarded his time with us on the Reay and his family left Monkton at the end of river as part of his education with the school. He 2011 to return to Chester to take up a post at the managed to rewire the boathouse electrics, help University. This left little time to find a successor, fit a new Perkins diesel engine onto the old but after a short search, Ben Tipney was generator in the workshop, among many other appointed Director of Rowing for 2012, on a things - and this was all before he was 16. On short-term contract. As well as running the club, the strength of his aptitude for all this he left the Ben concentrated his attention on the First Boys' school after his exams and started an electrical crew and the J14 beginners. He worked the club apprenticeship with a local firm as well as hard and a good spirit was generated in whole- carrying on with us as a boatman. club training sessions in the sports hall. His regime culminated in a National Schools medal Because he was working with two doddery for the first four (the first medal since 2002), and old men in the form of Carl and myself he took the keenest and largest group of J14 oarsmen on the duties of trailer loading and driving, with we have seen for many years. enthusiasm and certainly took the pressure off both of us. If the trailer was not loaded correctly Ben was assisted by several in-school we certainly knew it, as did most of the students coaches - Carl Purchase (J16 Boys), Zoë who helped us with the attendant lash up. He Patterson (J15 boys), Mike Smith and Andy was devoted to the job and spent both his 18th Groves (J15 Girls), Dan Hubbard and Lena and 21st birthdays in Nantes on the senior Hurst-Muwasse (J14 squad), and several groups squad's training camp out there. coached by Amanda Bowden, Matthew Dietz and Sean Wilkinson. Abingdon School have now taken him on as their full time boatman so we will no doubt be There were more than the usual number of seeing him around on the regatta circuit over the part-time coaches in 2012. Lawrence Birdsey, a next few years. Good luck Andy and thanks for coach at the University of Bath, took on the girls; all your help over the years. Seb Norman, a member of a recent first crew, coached junior girls; Andy Taylor and Henk De Mike Smith and Carl Purchase Leng (both of Bradford-on-Avon Rowing Club) helped with younger crews. Matthew Wells Richard Backhouse coached the girls for a Matt started rowing aged 14 at Queen few days, and Julian Bewick coached the boys Elizabeth High School, Hexham, under the ever J16 VIII in France. watchful eye of his coach Chris Grabham. So,.... a large number of coaches looking Originally it was meant to be a form of low after a large number of athletes. impact cross training to help with his running. Ben Tipney left for pastures new at the end This addition of rowing into Matt's running of the summer term, so the hunt was on again. programme increased his strength and stamina Matthew Wells has been appointed director of and resulted in him achieving County selection rowing from January 2013. He is introduced for Northumberland for 5 consecutive years in elsewhere in this newsletter. the 1500m, 3000m and Cross Country and finishing 4th in the English Schools Cross Country Championships and a creditable 5th in Andy Groves the Junior Great North Run. In the same year Andy has been a part time boatman with the Matt won Gold at the National Schools Regatta school ever since he left it as a pupil, some 8 in the Double Sculls (J15) and the Inter-Regional years ago. In fact while he was still a pupil, he Championships and medalling at the National was a part time boatman. No doubt the Championships. This resulted in him having to academics will tell you that he spent far more make a life-changing decision - does he go to

21 the Junior British rowing trials or the GB Cross cox, James Dodd, had competed at NSR in Country trials? To the delight of the rowing 2011, giving the four good racing experience. master he made the right decision and chose Rostick Zakharov, the new member, fitted into rowing. In 1997 Matt went on to win a handful of the crew perfectly, and during the camp our national titles and then on to win Great Britain's tough training produced some encouraging 1st ever Junior World Championships Gold results as we improved every day. A highlight medal in Sculling. was rowing to Sucé and back - a 22km trip. In 1998 Matt went to St. Mary's University After Nantes, more misfortune struck: and studied Sports Science with Rehabilitation because of heavy rainfall the river burst its whilst continuing his rowing career at the banks, disrupting our planned training schedule. University of London under the diligent eye of Fortunately, though, we maintained (perhaps Darren Whiter. Darren then steered Matt's career even improved) our fitness levels with frequent to win the Under 23 World Championship Gold visits to the ergo room throughout this rain- and Bronze medals and qualify for the 2000 plagued period. Our much-anticipated first race Sydney Olympics, all by the age of 21. Matt together was at Wallingford Regatta where we furthered his education by completing a Masters made a promising start to the season, finishing in Human Performance at Brunel University. third after being edged out of claiming a place in Matt has now competed at 4 consecutive the final. Shortly after Wallingford, we competed Olympic Games; Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and at Avon County Regatta, breaking the course- London, winning a Bronze medal in the Double record in the semi-final, yet failing to win the Sculls at the Beijing Olympics. During his long final. career Matt has competed at 10 senior World Our last competition was the National Championships with the highlights being a silver Schools Regatta, the event in which we were in 2010 and a bronze in 2006 both in the double determined to improve on our sixth place of sculls. He is the current British record holder in 2011. Our qualifying race was smooth, well- both the double and quadruple sculls. paced and fast enough to finish in the top four. Throughout his career Matt has been The semi-final, though, was not our most supported by his wife Georgie and when he can accomplished race; we finished second having he likes to spend time with her and their 2 young failed to hold off Yarm School. Shortly after came children. When energy and time permit, he the final, a race that is still a blur in my memory; enjoys occasional outings into the hills on both we started the race fairly well, lagging only his mountain bike and road bike. slightly behind the leading crews. As we splashed past the 1km mark, however, we had The 1st Four advanced into the coveted top three after settling A year ago the 1st Four competed at the into a steady rhythm which we maintained until National Schools Regatta, where we fought our Captain, Mike Lawrence, called 'Push it!' through tough conditions to finish sixth. For this With 500m remaining in what was already a year, our initial plan was to create an eight that hard-fought race. Despite pushing for second would help us to qualify for Henley. place up until the very last stroke, we finished Consequently, we competed as an eight third and subsequently earned, much to our throughout the Lent Term, producing some good delight, the first NSR medal for the Boat Club for results including coming in the top 150 in The ten years. That race will always be, I'm sure, one Head of the River Race. Then, however, illness of the most memorable races in my rowing and unavailability beleaguered the squad over career. Thank you, finally, to my fantastic crew Easter, with only four senior rowers and their cox mates and dedicated coaches - it has been a able to travel across the channel for our annual good year. training camp in Nantes. Luckily, though, it Josh Stupples happened that three of the rowers - Sam Fawcett, Mike Lawrence and myself - and the

22 1st Eight day out at Henley Royal role models; and, finally, Sam Fawcett and Lizzie Regatta Gray who are also leaving after contributing a lot to the Club. We wish all of them the best in their Monkton, sadly, had to endure another year bright futures, and we hope they continue with of not qualifying for Henley after the 1st VIII their rowing careers. finished ten seconds outside the required On the Thursday, after staying at fantastic qualifying time. It was an admirable, determined accommodation, the 1st VIII enjoyed the second effort from all the crew, however, and it was an day of the regatta; we saw two Monkton coaches invaluable experience for those who have not in action - Mr Tipney and Mr Birdsey. As well as raced amidst such high standards before. We all watching the races, Mike Lawrence, Todd Bruce, thoroughly enjoyed Wednesday, too, when we James Dodd and I enjoyed the company of many dressed up in our Henley attire and watched American ladies taking pictures of us in our many fine (and sometimes agonisingly close) Henley blazers - we weren't complaining, but we races. concluded the attraction was the blazers and not Later in the evening the boys, our parents us, sadly. Later on, the crew also enjoyed having and some Old Monktonian rowers - including tea at Leander Club, celebrating their final time Olympian Steve Williams - met for the traditional together this year. car park picnic where we enjoyed listening to Thank you very much to Bluefriars for speeches from Mike Lawrence (Boys' Captain), everything they have done this year, and for

Bow: Rostick Zakharov, Alex Leflaive-Manley, Adam Grimes, Simon Von Bethmann, Josh Stupples, Konstantin Goncharov, Todd Bruce, Str: Mike Lawrence, Cox: James Dodd, Coach: Ben Tipney

Mr. Tipney (Head Coach) and Mr Bewick organising such a great day at Henley. Thank (Monkton Bluefriars). It was also time, sadly, to you also to all the parents - particularly Jane and wave goodbye to some people who have been David Lawrence, who have been stoic very important to the Club: Mr. Tipney, who is supporters of the Boat Club for the past two leaving us after an extremely successful period years. They and other parents supplied us with running the Club; Mike Lawrence and Roisin such wholesome food - it was thoroughly Cogan (Monkton's Rowing Captains) are other enjoyed! leavers - both have been great leaders and fine Josh Stupples - Captain 2012-13

23 Girls' Rowing certain aroma. After 3 weeks of land training for This year has been a very interesting one, the whole club (Year 9's up to the Seniors), and while other sports only last a term the girl finally getting onto the water was such a relief for rowers have been at it all year. There were only everyone, as there were many important races to two of us in the first term but numbers increased come. While there was energy and willingness in in January; it has been an eventful year. When the girls' squad, the decision came that I would looking at the senior squad (years 11 to 13), with represent the school in my single at National 4 out of 5 of last year's 1st boat leaving, it was Schools Regatta 2012. Although I had all the always going to be hard to produce the same practice from the first term in my single for the results; but with gritted teeth and aching muscles Junior GB team trials it was still a love-hate another Four was put out and received a well relationship between me and that boat. While I deserved 11th place in the Schools' Head. After had a good race, the competition was tough and this success, the crew became the fastest Girls a place in the finals was not for me. The exam boat at the local Bristol Avon regatta. season had arrived and with half of the senior

Girls 2x: Pippa Giles and Abi Roissetter with Coach Seb Norman

Throughout the year many different squad doing their GCSEs, Lizzie Gray and I combinations of boats have been tried in all the teamed up with two girls from Avon County to age groups in the club. This was clearly shown compete in Women's Henley in a coxless quad. through all the training camps, with the Year 10's The experience is one I will never forget, and, trip to Wimbleball Lake and then the six senior with it being the last race of my Monkton career, girls that went on the Easter Rowing Camp in it was an emotional one. While the race didn't Nantes. This experience was one I've been lucky necessarily go to plan, looking back on it now, it to have for the last 3 years, and watching the reflected how my rowing life at Monkton had eyes widen on the younger girls at the size of the been. With many ups and downs, river, it is easy to see why we still go back. The disappointments, excitement and pride we flew training was hard, yet smiles were seen over the finish line. especially as our boatman Mike became a 'girl' A massive thank you goes to all the for a session or two. Morale remained high coaches, boatmen, and supporters who have throughout the camp. helped the Girls' Squad through this year. Because of the weather that we endured this Without them we would have got nowhere, year, the rowers (more the boys than the girls) literally and metaphorically. definitely left their mark on the sports hall with a Roisin Cogan (Girls' Captain 2011/12) 24 J16 Squad 2012 back. A sub was drawn in. The race didn't go well. The boat was very sluggish, and the crew The year began with high spirits from the didn't make the top 300. We turned to the year before where the J15 quads had been very Schools Head, two days later. An incident in the strong, and it was hoped that these guys would lunch queue saw Ali Frost out on the morning of make up a fearsome eight. While the squad was the head. However, we found a replacement in thin on the ground, only 9 men to choose from, Rob Scott, a J16 from last year, who we literally the crew seemed keen to compete. Mileage on snatched out of breakfast! The crew were happy, the river and the new training programme saw all as Rob is very strong and athletic, and it was the squad pushing themselves harder than ever hoped that the boat would go well. The before! We played around a bit with conditions were warm and sunny and the crew combinations, (one man going from stroke to blasted off the start. We had a great row, and two), and worked on our technique under Carl's earned ourselves 6th place out of 12. watchful eyes. Term ended, and we went off to Nantes. Our first test was a race at Avon County Illness saw 2 men away, and while training Head. The combinations were two fours and an continued with subs, the eight wasn't going as eight. The coxed four were disappointed with well as it had. However, we had 2 very good their row while the coxless four had a good row, rows in a coxless four, which we very much but didn't have quite enough power. The eight enjoyed, and it was hoped to carry it on. Back to went out last, and had a very good race. We school, and with a bad race at Nottingham in the overtook two crews, claiming the novice title. Inter Regional Regatta, the crew was getting Next race was at the HORR. However, we didn't frustrated. A change of Ali Frost for Justin Wright anticipate our 3 man, Henry Kane, hurting his and a move into Olympus, the 1st boat, saw the boat going a bit better. At Avon County Regatta, and a race against Canford J16s. The eight lost by more than a length. In the afternoon, we rigged up the four, the crew having had no practice since Nantes! Canford blasted off the start, and were a length up at 250m. We were fitter, however, and clawed back level with 300 to go, then moved to a canvas! It was ours, surely, but on the line, Canford shot back - or maybe we got slower, but we crossed the line level. It was Monkton. By 2 feet! We went in and waited for the final. Sadly, there is no nice ending to this story. Marlow beat us by 2 lengths. We went off to National J16 at Schools' Head: Schools, keen for a good race. Bow Justin Wright, Chris Brown, Rob Scott (Sub for Henry Kane), Conditions were good, and we Jamie Wiley, Todd Bruce, Josh Black, Alex Leflaive-Manley, boated for the heat. The buzzer Str Elliot Leonard, Cox Joe Webb, Coach: Carl Purchase went, and we were dropped

25 down off the start, about 2/3rd of a length. At down off the start, about 2/3rd of a length. At J15 Boys 500m, we clawed back on Canford and the other crews, and went through 1000m level. 500m, I arrived at Monkton at somewhat short crews, and went through 1000m level. 500m, notice. After an interview with Gordon Reay in again neck and neck. Canford clawed away from notice. After an interview with Gordon Reay in us with 250 to go. Bitterly disappointed, the the summer, I began life in the valley in January us with 250 to go. Bitterly disappointed, the of this year. I arrived thinking that I would have a coxless four went for a row on the Trent to of this year. I arrived thinking that I would have a practice, having had no sessions since Avon. girls' squad to coach; I had met Roisin Cogan practice, having had no sessions since Avon. previously and looked forward to coaching the The boat was going really well, and we had a previously and looked forward to coaching the great row. Carl prepped us up and we were girls after their successful season last year. great row. Carl prepped us up and we were Instead, I had a group of J15 boys! At first this angry and aggressive. We wanted to qualify. The Instead, I had a group of J15 boys! At first this qualifier saw us come 2nd from bottom. The bow felt somewhat overwhelming. Sitting on the cold qualifier saw us come 2nd from bottom. The bow steel in the coaching launch with a group of 14 man pulled the boat round, and the boat hadn't steel in the coaching launch with a group of 14 felt as alive as it had the day before. 3 guys tried year-olds looking for instruction on how to row felt as alive as it had the day before. 3 guys tried with one oar. Over the year I got to know the to go for the first VIII. 2 guys made it, Josh Black with one oar. Over the year I got to know the being pipped to the post. squad of 13 very well and really enjoyed being pipped to the post. coaching them - most of the time! We failed to qualify for Henley. We were coaching them - most of the time! We failed to qualify for Henley. We were J15 boys are prone to distraction, but are bitterly disappointed. However, the story doesn't J15 boys are prone to distraction, but are end here. Josh Black came down to train with keen! I have had to remind them numerous times end here. Josh Black came down to train with that they cannot scratch their heads nor anything me over the summer, and we entered Stourport that they cannot scratch their heads nor anything regatta, where made the final of IM2 pairs, and, else while they are rowing. They have embraced regatta, where made the final of IM2 pairs, and, rowing in a variety of combinations, boats, and best of all, won IM3 eights! So the season ended rowing in a variety of combinations, boats, and on a good note, and a core of keen and tough both sculling and learning how to sweep. They on a good note, and a core of keen and tough have taken on several two kilometre ergo tests guys now head to the 1st squad. We'd like to have taken on several two kilometre ergo tests thank Mr Tipney for his training, making us all and take pride in beating previous times and thank Mr Tipney for his training, making us all challenging each other. tough, Mr B for his great coaching in Nantes, but challenging each other. most of all Carl Purchase, for an amazing year, The boys have been able to race at events most of all Carl Purchase, for an amazing year, they previously have not been able to and and for motivating us and making us great they previously have not been able to and rowers. enjoyed them. This was evident when Andrew rowers. Low the Cox, whilst completely out of the stream, Alex Manley Low the Cox, whilst completely out of the stream,

Relaxing between races at Monmouth

26 to compete in the semi-final. I approached the race officials and asked if my boyfriend might be able to substitute. The official (who knew James as he rowed in Monmouth as a boy) said that it was unlikely that Monkton would win so it was no problem. The boys took to the water and were now ready to take on any men out there assuming that this would be their last race of the day! Listening to the commentary, assuming I had misheard, I heard 'Monkton Combe have just taken the lead!' They won by a half a length. The race official informed us we must have a novice rower to row in the final. Mike Smith kindly offered to put on a girl's one-piece and jump in! In the final they were not so lucky but it was great for the boys to see that size was not as important as they thought. The J15 boys have progressed hugely this year. They were very disappointed not to get the result they deserved at the National Schools Regatta. I hope with a year's experience with a variety of races and multi-lane races that next year they will not be intimidated by their surroundings and be able to perform at such occasions. J15 Four: Will Cutteridge, Caius Tabberer, Tom Spackman, Chris Fry, Cox: Andrew Low The J15 boys have been a pleasure to coach and have enjoyed their rowing season this year. I look forward to watching them progress. took out his map mid-race on the Tideway at the Zoë Patterson Schools Head of the River to check directions. An outstanding highlight this year was racing J15 Eight at Monmouth Regatta. There was no J15 eights It has been a very encouraging season for category so they were entered into the novice us this year. It has been the first time any of the eights category. I secretly eyed up the opponents J15s have done sweep rowing as opposed to before they went on the water and asked the sculling and all of the crew have picked it up very boys not to look at them. The boys had a quick quickly and are all now at a competitive glance and turned and said 'Miss, you did not tell standard. For many of us, it is our first time us we were racing men!' Sure enough if we were rowing together and we have all bonded well and going by size alone they had lost before they now know we can depend on one another. even went on the water, but we all know that size Competitively there have been ups and is irrelevant. I assured them (with some doubt in downs for us this year with some disappointing my mind) that we could row better than the results but there have been some highs too, opposition and if we raced as if it was our only such as at Marlow Regatta where our eight came race we could win to earn a place in the semi- second in the Novice eights category. Everyone final. Sure enough I heard over the commentary from cox to bow has shown they have potential that Monkton Combe were leading and went on and are dedicated to our crew. I have high to win the race. Jonathan Hambly (our 3 man) expectations for the year to come. had raced in his single between the quarter-final Chris Fry and semi-final and had fallen ill, so was unable

27 J15 Coxed Four Novices to National Schools Regatta The J15 four have had an excellent season. in only 6 months All five of the crew have shown remarkable Rule 1. Never let go of the blades. dedication with everyone turning up to extra Rule 2. Never let go of the blades. training such as ergos on Wednesday evenings; Rule 3. NEVER let go of the blades! these have benefited us greatly on the water. In January the year 9s began their first Results were perhaps not as good as we had rowing season with the basics, trying to get our hoped for, maybe because of too little water time heads round the confusing rowing jargon. in the four. However, there have still been some Strokeside, bowside, port, starboard, slides, encouraging results, such as coming first in our riggers, cleavers, macons! How were we ever category at Bryanston School Regatta and an going to remember all this?! amazing race at the Schools' Head in London. In the following weeks, we were split up into I am looking forward to rowing again with all 3 octs and started training towards our first race. the other J15s next season. This included time on the water, circuits, and the Chris Fry dreaded ergo. It all felt very intense! Before we knew it, we were on the start line of Bryanston mini-head in our oct. Since it was a

J14 A: Bow: Toddy Lang, Louis Walsh, Matt Mannings, Patrick Gracey, Will Trefusis, Sam Parry, Max Leflaive-Manley, Str: Guy Hooper, Cox: Gabriel Ross

28 time-trial, we had no idea how we did but to our before we settled into our rhythm. Slowly boats amazement, we found that we not only won, but started to appear in the corners of our eyes as that our boat had achieved the quickest time of we rowed through the white horses. As we the race! It didn't stop there though - the oct then crossed the finish line, we looked behind us and went on to come 16th (out of 60 boats) in the were elated to find we were second in our semi- National Junior Sculling Head and at the Avon final and would qualify for the final. As the County Head it only narrowly lost to Canford by weather continued to deteriorate, the Race 0.4 of a second. Committee took the difficult decision to cancel all After a while our coach thought it a good further rowing and assign positions according to idea to split our oct into two quads of which the previous race times, leaving us fifth overall. A-quad qualified for the Junior Inter-Regional After clocking up a further win at Bristol Avon Regatta in Nottingham. As we rowed up to the regatta in the quad, where we beat Pangbourne start, we experienced some of the worst in the final, Mr Tipney thought that we showed conditions we had ever seen with large waves enough promise to enter The National Schools and a howling tailwind which didn't help our Regatta in June. Back in Nottingham. It was confidence as we got on to our stakeboat. another grey and dismal weekend (living up to 'Go!' The first few strokes went in a blur Holme Pierrepont's reputation for appalling weather).

J14 B: Christy Wells, Eric England, Charlie Hibberd, Louis Walsh, Will Trefusis, Ben Bevan, Robert Warwood-Hart, Charles Taylor, Alex Day

29 The event began with time trials where only the inter-regional trials; if we got through we the top 18 boats out of 25 would get to the semi- would be representing WAGS+Wales in the final. Everything seemed to be going according Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. Although we were to plan until we realized with horror that one of determined to do our best, we were not really our blades was damaged. Even so, we managed expecting to qualify. It was our 2nd race in the to come 8th which secured us a place in the quad and we won the trial by 11 seconds: we semi-finals. After borrowing a replacement pair of were amazed at how well we had done. Some blades, we set off for our semi-final race in which weeks later and after lots of training, we found we came fourth, beating London Oratory and ourselves in Nottingham in our WAGS & Wales Monmouth. Sadly, it was not quite good enough regional kit, excited by our first race and our first to make the finals. ever regatta racing side by side: all of the races These past two terms have been an before had been time trials. Again we were not amazing journey, from novices shivering on the expecting to come back triumphant; we were just bank in January to confident competitors at NSR. going to go out there and give it everything. In With another year of practice under our belts, our heat, we finished 3rd out of 6 regions, putting who knows? We might even make the finals next us through to the final. We were very June! disappointed when we found out that the final Max Leflaive-Manley had been cancelled because of bad weather. Instead, the result was decided on times and we were delighted when we found we were 5th out Quad: Bow Max Leflaive-Manley, Matt Mannings, of 12 regions. Sam Parry, Str Guy Hooper, Cox Gabriel Ross Oct: Bow Louis Walsh, Sam Watt, Matt Mannings, Our next regatta was at Saltford again - the Patrick Gracey, William Trefusis, Sam Parry, Max Bristol Avon regatta, where we raced in the oct Leflaive-Manley, Str Guy Hooper, Cox Gabriel Ross as well as the quad and we had great potential in both events. The oct was knocked out by a very J14 Boys good Marlow crew in the first round: we were all quite disappointed. 2012 saw the J14s enjoying their first time Our next race was in the quad. We won our on the water and what a season it was! first race by a couple of lengths and then got a After a lot of hard training on the river at similar result in the semi-final. We won the final - Monkton and on the Ergos, our first race was at our first success in the quad. What a great team Saltford. The octuple and the quad rowed very moment. well. We were delighted to find ourselves 2nd in The event at NSR was our last one, so we both races, losing to Canford in the oct by only really wanted to go for it. It started with a time half a second; this gave us real determination trial, which went very well. We came 9th and and showed us what we were capable of. earned a place in the semi-final. We had a Bryanston too was a great success, and we difficult draw which included Henley and some came back to Monkton with two medals round other big names. Unfortunately this time we our necks, one for winning the J14 octs and the didn't get through but finished with our best ever other for the fastest time of the whole day: it was time for 1000m. A mix of disappointment and our first win and gave us lots of hope for doing satisfaction but lots of positives to take away. well in the future. Our third race in the oct was It was a great two terms of rowing for the held at Dorney Lake over the Olympic course; J14s and we are all looking forward to next we were all very excited to be there. It was our season. We would all like to thank Mr Tipney, longest race yet but we finished a very good 16th Bluefriars, the coaches, boatmen and all the out of 65. We were all very pleased with this supporters on the bank who showed such result. committment. After a couple of great races in the oct there Guy Hooper was an opportunity for the quad to race again in

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