On Saturday 7 February, the Shiplake College Boat Club took senior, J16 and J15 squads to Wycliffe Head in Gloucestershire, for their final event of the half term. At this stage of the season, the focus remains on gaining experience of rowing together, rather than purely on times and rankings. Read on for the thoughts of Director of Rowing Mr David Currie and Year 13 Captain of Boats Henry Cawthorne after the event.
Henry Cawthorne:
The senior Boat Club squad embarked on a long journey to the canal ways of Wycliffe to race at their last event of the half term. The race consisted of a 4.5 km course, with a series of bridges to pass through and corners to take, giving the event a great back drop of scenery for spectators, and useful points to push off for the athletes. On the way up to the start of the event, the crews were also required to lie flat in the boats, as the bridges were only opened for the actual race.
The results look hugely promising for the season ahead. This was one of the final races the boys will undertake in mixed boats, as coaches will soon split the boats on ability to find our strongest eight. In division one, the Senior Bees ‘A’ & ‘B’ boats posted 2nd and 5th in the Open 8+ event respectively, with the 4x- coming 4th in category. The J16As also posted a respectable time to place 8th in the Open 8+ event.
The second division yielded the better result for the ‘A’ Bees, placing not only first in category, but winning the entire division, ahead of UWE and Shrewsbury. The ‘B’ Bees came 8th in category, a respectable result considering that the boys had to undergo both divisions, and so were understandably tired for the second race. The J16s also moved up in the rankings, coming second in their respective category, and solidifying a respectable result overall for the senior squad.
All the boys, juniors and seniors alike, now look forward to the looming SHORR (School’s Head of the River Regatta), and some quality rest over half term. With less than a month to go before the boats take to the tideway, and begin the real competitive racing season, all athletes are taking extra effort to prepare, and represent the SCBC at their best. Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank parents and friends for their continued support, especially those who travel long distances to support us. You are making a big difference to the boys, especially as the all-important Summer Term approaches.
Mr David Currie:
The Year 10 rowers are in the early stages of their development, having had limited sweep oar experience. Since starting sweep oar rowing in January, much training and experience is needed. Wycliffe Head was a perfect event for this, with its long reach and still conditions.
The J15s gained valuable racing experience against many other schools which have been rowing since September. It is not a surprise they finished behind many of these schools given the limited amount of rowing they have done so far this year. I hope this event has motivated the squad and I look forward to see the steep curve of improvement over the next few months. The crews finished 10th and 12th in their category.
