A correction: Beth and Gracie got through their first round (and now that I am reminded, handsomely too) against a Notts & Union double, but lost to a quicker Nots & Union double in the final. My apologies to them both.
Dear Everybody,
The club had a record number of members competing – 25 all told, 22 of them juniors, entered (including composites) in 15 events (and 5 racing in two events). A logistical triumph, but, alas, not reflected in the win rate (2 only). In our defence, it is worth noting that this was the first regatta racing experience for many: Cathryn Trentham (in the women’s double with Milly), Oliver Darbyshire (in the coxless pair with Rob – an awe-inspiring choice of boat for a first race), Luke Smith-Beard in the J12 single, Tilly and Will Hall (as coxswain) in the J13 quad, and Stella and Charlie in the J15 quad (Charlie also racing in a single for the first time). Everyone did their best, and the only real disaster was my fault, but we’ll get to that.
So, chronologically:
In Senior singles Rob went out first round to Leicester (home advantage), and then, with Oliver, went out first round in Senior Pairs to a Leicester crew that was stroked by the same chap who had just raced him in the single (aaarrggghhh!).
Next the Derby/Derwent J15 composite double of Cameron and Josh Rhodes J15.2x went out to Peterborough (who later won the final), and then some better news.
Luke Smith-Beard won his first heat of J12 singles, beating Jay James of Notts & Union (a former member of Derwent who started sculling 17 months before Luke did). The verdict was easily. Alas, he lost in his final due to a fault in technique (late squaring of the blade). His crabbed at the start, but caught up, then crabbed, then caught up, then did this two more times, and eventually ran out of road. That he was able to stay in the boat is a compliment to his watermanship (there were four capsizes during the racing that day), and I have no fears for his future success.
Adam Grundy then lost his first round in J15 singles to Josh Rhodes (yes, Cameron’s doubles partner) who later won the event.
Now the disaster. Towing from Nottingham the day before, one of the nuts securing the rudder to the coxed four fell off (I know this because it bounced off the windscreen). I stopped to check, but the remaining nut was still in place, so I carried one to Leicester. I then forgot to check the rudder before boating, with the result that the rudder became ineffective during the paddle to the start. The umpires were informed that something was wrong with the rudder, but are not equipped to make bankside repairs (and under considerable time pressure). They asked the crew if they were ready to race, to which they (in their inexperience) replied “yes”. The result was a quick trip into the bank. and an embarrassing crawl back to the finish, with the boat steered by blade pressure alone. Not a great first race, but several useful lessons handed out, not least to me.
Milly and Cathryn then went out first round (went OFR?) in their double. But only by three-quarters of a length, so a good first race for Cathryn.
Ethan, Josh, Cameron, and Alex in J16 quads went OFR to Peterborough, the later winners, who had not raced twice the previous day at JIRR (as our lot had). They were in touch until they grazed the bridge before the finish, so some disappointment there.
Then Beth & Gracie went OFR in J15 doubles to (guess) Peterborough who (guess again) were the eventual winners.
Charlie went OFR to Newark in J15 singles, her first ever singles race (in fact, I think her first race ever), so no shame there. She sculled strongly to the finish, and did the club credit.
I then won MasF.1x won my heat in Masters F singles (a tough row), and went on to win the final (which was not so tough a row).
Sam, Tilly, Monty, Jake, and Will Hall (cox) then raced their straight final of J14 coxed quads (they are really J13, but no other J13s entered, so they gamely raced up a year), and lost to the usual suspects. Will Hall, who is currently nine years old, coxed his first race without flaw and deserves congratulations.
Our second win came from Sophie in J13 singles. In her straight final she beat a sculler from Newark by a considerable margin, and went well the whole way.
And finally, Charlie, Stella, Beth, Gracie, and Sam (cox) Lost a straight final in J15 quads to.........Peterborough. No surprise that Peterborough Juniors alone won the Victor Ludorum.
I would like to thank Rob for his support during the day (he raced in two events as well), and Chris Plastow, who (out of the goodness of his heart) turned up first thing to assist with the unloading and rigging at the start the day. The parents were also outstanding in their support (as always). And we prevented the threatened rain by putting up the gazebo and bringing umbrellas.
Yours,
Lewis