Captain - Joel Jameson
Secretary - Tristan Saunders
Girls Captain - Gabrielle Price

The 2000/2001 season will unfortunately be mostly remembered for extreme flooding and foot- and-mouth restrictions. Many clubs suffered severely from either one or the other, but not many I suspect suffered as we did from both! As a consequence the younger age groups (J14 and J15) were unable to get out on the river for most of the Michaelmas and Lent terms. However, one bonus was that it forced a change of scene for the more experienced crews and some good and enjoyable training was had on the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and the Bristol Docks.

The floods and foot-and-mouth disease also played havoc with the racing schedule, and a lot of events including the Monkton Bluefriars and Avon County Head Races, had to be called off. Despite the large number of cancellations, we still ended the year with 11 wins in 9 different Heads and Regattas, spanning J14 up to 1st VIII level.

Most of these wins were achieved by the Girls' group who have continued to show an impressive rise in standards, mainly as a result of the enthusiasm and forward planning of Barry Bathe-Taylor. Sarah Coates, with another successful season under her belt, maintained the run of Monkton involvement at Junior GB Final Trials. Although not gaining selection this year, Sarah together with Will Quayle look well set to achieve international representation next season.

At face value, it would appear a rather disappointing year at National Schools Regatta, with only Sarah Coates in the Girls J16 Single Sculls getting through the first round. (Sarah actually did really well and went on to gain fourth place in the final). Nevertheless, several other Monkton crews were exceptionally unlucky with the draw and on time should have reached at least the semi-final stages!

Once again we had a great Nantes Training Camp at Easter (thanks to JMB for organising it), with a really good atmosphere and rapport shown within and between the different crews. Also, all the students, whatever their year group, settled into an impressive academic routine.

After a poor take-up the previous year, January 2001 saw a large influx of third formers into the Boat Club. There is little doubt that the Olympics and in particular Rowley Douglas' involvement with the School early in the Michaelmas term, helped in this respect! With rowing cancelled throughout the Lent term, they and PGB had to endure countless ergo and circuit training sessions! As a consequence the J14's were always going to be lacking in technical finesse, but the strength and future potential of this year group were aptly displayed in a rare win at J14 level in Octuple Sculls at Thames Valley Park Regatta right at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, this was an especially difficult year for DRJ and the J15 group. From when they started back in the third form it has always been a very small option group and with two boys over age the formation of any competitive crews was always going to be tough. Hopefully these boys will find more opportunities as they move into the more senior squads.

Under Marc Fowler's guidance and motivation, the J16 boys group showed real development despite no trophies to show for it. At one point these boys were training harder than many in the 1st VIII and the improvement in fitness and endurance was obvious. Unfortunately, the onset of GCSE examinations brought certain individuals' and so ultimately the crew's, season to a premature close.

Some inspirational coaching from Rowley Douglas and good technical racing was an obvious feature of the 1st VIII this year and despite some real high points, they suffered misfortune at all the major events: the Schools' Head being cancelled, being eliminated first round at National Schools Regatta despite a fast time and just missing out on qualifying for Henley by the narrowest of margins!

Nevertheless an encouraging season overall for MCS Boat Club and one which will be particularly remembered for the tremendous support on the banks, shown by parents, families and friends of the Monkton crews. Such support even included Rob 'never been anywhere near the river before' Alford, helping his sisters carry their boat back from the river at Thames Valley Park despite having to jig about to avoid getting any drips of water on his new suede shoes!