General Report:
Since the National Schools Regatta (NSR) on 29th May, there has been a distinct lull in activities for the J16 boy‘s squad. With GCSEs fast approaching, rowing was put on the back burner. We managed a couple of outings in fours and Dave Meryon and Barny Page had several outings in a pair. It was agreed within the squad that Thames Valley Park Regatta (TVPR), in Reading, would be our final regatta this year. TVPR is held over a three lane five hundred metre course. It is a quarter of the distance of NSR and therefore requires an entirely different race plan. With Dave and Barny becoming increasingly confident in the pair we decided to enter a J16 pair. We also entered a J16 B coxed four and a Novice four. With a squad of five rowers and Hugh Searight as cox we set off at 0800 on Sunday morning in buoyant mood.

J16 B 4+
Crew: Bow L. Squire 2 N. Brown 3 B. Page Str D. Meryon Cox H. Searight
Result:
1st Reading Blue Coate (1 min 43 secs)
2nd Oundle (1/2 length)
3rd Monkton Bluefriars (Canvas)
This was the first race of the day. It was a first round with the first placed crew going through to the final. We had a good warm up and stretch which involved a look at the start and then went through the race plan with Hugh. We had raced and competed well with Reading Blue Coate and Oundle previously this season so we knew what was in store for us. Off the start all crews were level and it remained like this over the first 100 metres. Reading Blue Coate began to edge in front but the race was still there for the taking. In the final stretch things fell apart in the Monkton boat. We were washing out the finishes, rather than holding the blades in the water and we were not rowing as a crew. Reading Blue Coate, by comparison, remained calm and neat with their bladework and eased through to the final.

Nov 4+
Crew: Bow B. Page 2 T. Quayle 3 L. Squire Str N. Brown Cox H. Searight
Result:
1st Oundle (1 min 50 secs)
2nd Monkton (2 ½ lengths)
3rd St. Paul‘s (1/2 length)
Having been knocked out of J16 B fours we had a few hours to spare and so decided to pay a visit to Women‘s Henley. Most of the squad had never been to Henley so it was a good experience for them. We got back to TVPR in time for a barbecue lunch and then our next race in the Novice fours. Tom Quayle subbed in for David Meryon. Like the previous race this was a first round race with the first placed crew going through to the final. We had raced these schools before and knew they were beatable. However the Oundle crew were very well drilled and obviously determined to win. They went ahead off the start and cruised through to the final. Once again, we were involved in a scrap for second place. Happily, we won it this time, seeing off St.Paul‘s by half a length.

J16 2-
Crew: Bow B. Page Str D. Meryon
Result:
1st Shiplake
2nd Monkton (3 lengths)
This was the first ever race for David and Barny in a pair. Pairs racing is completely different to racing in a four or an eight. It is much harder because you have to row in perfect unison all of the time and because there is no coxswain to steer. Barny was in charge of steering in this boat by the use of a steering mechanism connecting to his right shoe. They showed great dedication in training leading up to TVPR by having outings whenever they could fit them in. In the race itself they did everything right. They rowed calmly off the start and steered a relatively straight course. The Shiplake pair put extra grunt in off the start and were able to maintain their lead until the finish. It was a valiant effort by David and Barny and bodes well for future pairs racing and the Boston Marathon they are planning to do in September.

Resumé
This was a great day out to end what has been an enjoyable and successful year for the J16 boy‘s squad. I think I can speak for Mike, as well as for myself, when I say what a pleasure it has been to be involved with the J16 boys. They have been good sportsmen and have responded well to coaching. Thanks to all the parents who have come to support the races we entered.

Coach : G A C Troup