The past season was one of very mixed fortunes for the Boat Club. We started on a low note, when a large number of promising junior oarsmen left to do other sports. Their departure left us vulnerable at Colts and Junior Colts levels, and it was no surprise that it became extremely difficult to give enough regattas to the crews that stayed on; there were few spare men so absences because of illness caused more can- celled entries than ever before. The girls suf- fered particularly badly, as their four was more off the water than on as the crew became ill or injured one after the other.

These disappointments were balanced by some very keen rowing by newcomers to the club; by a re-kindling of morale amongst oarsmen who had to build crews from scratch; and last but not least by a 1st VIII which started slowly, and improved throughout the season to finish as the fastest we have ever had at Monk- ton.

We have been fortunate to gain the services of Mr Adrian Gayner who has joined us as Assist- ant Boatman; his arrival has enabled us to start a boat building programme which should ensure that the quality of our equipment is second to none.

During the year, the 1st VIII boat has been replaced with a wooden Empacher similar to the one lost in the accident of June 1986; three new sculling boats and a four of revolutionary hull shape have been produced in our own work- shop.