Golden Regatta for King’s Rowers

Over 80 members of the Boat Club travelled to Shrewsbury on Sunday 7^th May, to compete in the annual Shrewsbury Regatta.

It was an early start, with crews on the water before 8 am in glorious conditions, after a very wet previous day for the King’s Coronation. Our crews started as they meant to go on, with outstanding performances throughout the day.

It was the first ever regatta for our Lower Remove rowers and they certainly rose to the occasion; feeling quite at home on the stretch of the River Severn, where many of them spent a week over the Easter break, during a camp. The girls raced in coxed quads in the morning, they were narrowly defeated in their first races, progressing to the plate competition. Unfortunately, our two crews faced each other in the quarter finals meaning only one could progress. This crew of Emily A, Hebe S, Emily E, Pia F and Larissa E-H went on to win their semi-final and then the final, in a wonderful debut to regattas.

We fielded three Lower Remove Boys Quad Scull crews in the afternoon and they performed equally well. A win in the first round secured a spot in cup competition for one crew, whilst the others moved to the plate competition. The cup crew won their quarter final, but were beaten in the semi. Our two crews in the plate competition both won their quarter finals, progressing to an all-King’s semi. The victors went through to a final, just missing out on the medals in a hard-fought race.

We must celebrate the fantastic efforts and success of our youngest rowers, in their first few months of the sport. Their fine performances on the water, often against more experience oarsmen and women, were underpinned with terrific camaraderie and enthusiasm on the bank, over what ended up being a very long day, not arriving home until almost 10 pm.

It was a magnificent day of racing at Shrewsbury and all the rowers excelled, entertaining many of our supporters lining the banks.

Other medal winning crews;

UR Boys Coxed Quad Scull: Toby A, Fred M, Luke M, Charlie M-W and Rowan C

FF Girls Pair: Amelia V and Rebecca N

Women’s J17 Pair: Issy G and Lara M

FF Girls Coxed Four: Ellie C, Ruby I, Amelia V, Rebecca N and Tilly B

FF Boys Pair: Harry W and Tom W

J17 Men’s Single Scull: Ollie B

FF Boys Double Scull: Jack D and Jude A