All of the third formers having tried both rowing and hockey once a week in the first part of the Lent term then have to choose which of the two options to continue with for the rest of the year. As usual the split was about equal, with a wide range of shapes, sizes and natural ability. With the help of D.S.P. (King's Australia) coaching and training began in earnest. There was rapid progress and soon we could boat 2 VIlls and a quad scull. There was much chopping and changing of crews to give all a chance to scull and to row on both sides.

In the normal way of things 'A', 'B' and 'C' crews are selected fairly soon into the Lent Term and their positions are reviewed after their first Head race which is normally held at Henley. However, this proved impossible, as over the Christmas break the banks of the river swelled and were overcome by the shear volume of rain which seemed to continually decend making rowing impossible. Unlike the more senior crews who could row elsewhere we had to be content with land and any other form of training we could think of. On several occasions we struggled with IVs onto the canal, a difficult manoeuvre requiring all of the novice oarsman to carry one boat at a time up the very steep and slippery aqueduct incline; this worked until yet another storm brought down several trees, making the Kennet and Avon un-navigable. Eventually the river began to abate so we could at least reach the rafts and some of the more experienced older crews could row on home waters. However, conditions were still too fast and dangerous for novices, who had only had a few outings, so what to do with 25 or so boys so desperate to row? As D.S.P. and I pondered this question we watched the ducks and gulls playing on the huge lake which had formed in the field, so we did as ducks, and much fun was had with lake water sports for several afternoons.

The ducklings' first race was at Avon County. The 'C' crew (Captain R. Dixon) excelled themselves keeping well up with the field as did the 'B' crew (Captain J. Wadham); the 'A' crew (Captain S. Williams) only just lost their event by a single second to Winchester. Our next major event was the Schools HOR Race into which both 'A' and 'B' VIIIs were entered. The 'A' crew faired well beating many larger schools but the Bs were blighted by an unfortunate shipwreck. The term finished with a good showing by both VIlls over the long and gruelling Bristol Ariel Head.

The Summer term began with much zeal with Avon County Regatta, all 3 crews entered; both 'B' and 'C' crews faired well and the 'A' Crew won their event beating such notable crews as St Pauls, Winchester, Radley and many more. The regatta season continued well for all of the crews, culminating with the 'A' crew reaching the 'A' final at the National Schools Regatta, only the second time any Monkton crew has achieved this excellent result. Good results also for all crews at Tewksbury, Reading, and for the 'C' crew at Birmingham where they fought well.

In all, an excellent year with some very good results. I would like to think that all the J14s enjoyed their rowing, whichever crew they were in, and that they will continue to do so as well as achieving equally good results with their future rowing.

Thanks to A. Skailes for his help in the early part of the year and to D.S.P. for his efforts with the 'B' crew throughout the year and above all to the J14s for their hard work, and commitment.