I have so enjoyed coaching the colts this term as there is a core group of boys who are very keen and motivated. They started the term a little rusty, but we have been working on the timing throughout the stroke, ensuring that everyone finishes together, their bodies coming over together, the movement up the slide and that the catches are together. The crew has worked really hard at this and as a result their balance and timing is excellent.

When it came to race day on Saturday, the boys were well prepared. I was really pleased with their discipline and despite the cold weather they were all so helpful and managed to get the boats rigged efficiently. They rowed in fours in the first division. Bow four were racing against the stern four. The crews both went off really well and they were looking good throughout the race. It was clear that a bit more fitness is needed in the crew though. There were a couple of incidents on the water with crews trying to row past, and our coxes not sure which side of the canal to be on, so this caused a bit of confusion. However, both crews tried really hard and I was pleased with their effort. In the second division, the colts rowed in the eight. When I saw them coming down the last stretch they were looking together, they were doing all that we have been working on over the last few weeks and they looked very good. I was particularly pleased with Tom Warner’s coxing this is the first time he has coxed and eight in a race. His words of encouragement were vital and his steering was spot on.

The results for both races however were disappointing and showed that while the colts are together in the timing, they just are not moving the boat as they should be. This however can easily be remedied now that we have a good platform to enable us to work on the finer aspects of rowing. Over the next few weeks, we will be working on lengthening the stroke, so sitting tall in the boat and achieving a good body swing. A special mention must be made of Jonathan Bell, who only started rowing in January as he has fitted into the crew really well. He has never raced before, but on Saturday managed to row two head races. Well done to the whole crew.

Coach : S Miller