Novice Rowing, or will PGB end up swimming again? Well, the latter question was quickly answered as it was decided that all third formers should pass not only the swimming test, but also the capsize drill. This required PGB to demonstrate falling in at least three times and then spend the rest of each session in the pool helping others to do the same. During this time there was also an opportunity for most to get to the river so that they got a chance to see if they wanted to choose Rowing or Hockey.

Lent arrived and 24 pupils had chosen rowing and this meant that we had a hectic time, between the floods, training pupils to scull. The time was further pared down by the illnesses that hit most of the third form, so it was a crew that had previously rowed together only once, on Saturday before loading, that, after chapel, collected its packed lunches and set off for Bristol Docks Head. They got the boat together quickly and then ate and kept warm until we boated. In fact we boated first for our division in order that we could get the chance of some further practice; after all the 3500m course was twice as far as we had rowed before and we had to get to the start and then back! On the way to the start, despite Jemima‘s warnings, the screws in Simon‘s footplate worked loose and so he had to row 1-legged. The main aim though was to gain crew spirit and to work together and this they managed, with a vengeance, being almost 3 minutes faster than last year and 24 seconds nearer the ladies VIII than last year. So a triumphant crew returned to school and on Monday unloaded the boats and thenŒ..

Gutted! Foot-and-Mouth struck and we were not allowed even access to the boats and so there was no chance of practising, and what were we to do? The answer was to spend each session in the confines of the weights room doing 3 minutes each of a 24 session circuit, a tall order but one that all rose to, though most found it harder to rise after the session. But what of the School‘s Head? DMC leapt to the rescue and managed to organize a replacement octuple, a Sims, from Bryanston who were fantastic, nothing being too difficult for them, providing a boat, blades, a launch and even a river to practise on.

So Saturday afternoon was spent travelling to collect the boat, together with a short practice on their almost flooding river. Then in the cold and wet we dismantled the boat and took it back to Monkton. Monday, we went over race tactics and 6:00am on Tuesday we set off for the Thames. After arriving we assembled the boat andŒŒŒ.. the race was cancelled as the conditions were too difficult. Thus we took the boat apart, returned it with thanks to Bryanston and set off back to Monkton in the falling snow.

Summer term arrived and it seemed that almost everyone now wanted to row. However, we limited the numbers to 32 and training was recommenced. Up to three coaches per session coped with an octuple, three quads, three doubles and two sculls all at the same time and all this within an hour and a half time slot. Still it worked well and we were soon off to Coate Water Park with an octuple, girl‘s quad and a J15 2x (over-age 3rd formers). The 8x tried hard but were a bit too frenetic with all eight starting at different times, with a few good strokes before crabbing; and Reading Bluecoat in their smart new Janousek looked fast and went fast. The 4x(+) had a straight final in the late in the afternoon, but the row was a similar story to that of the octuple. Finally, the J15 2x rowed over in their semi-final and went directly to the final coming up against a fast J15 club combination. Slightly thrown in the deep end! To their credit the boys went into the race with a really positive attitude and though well beaten, they kept going all the way down the course.

The next regatta was Bridgnorth and the entry caused problems with selection as there was to be no Octuple event; so we arranged for there to be 3 boys quads, a girls quad, and 3 doubles. However, after some practice it transpired that there would be an Octuple event and so we rejigged the crews to form a J14 4x, a J14 2x, a J14 8x, a J15 2x, a WJ14 4x and a WJ14 2x. This meant a full day, which started with breakfast at 6:00am and we left at 6:15 or in fact 6:30 after all had collected duvets and kit, and then we had a 2½ hour drive. First up was the J14 4x at 10:20 against RGS Worcester and they went to the start with some expectations, but a couple of bad crabs near the start meant that Simon‘s seat jammed and refused to move so it was a 3x that came in second, but credit where it is due, they kept going till the end, Sarah would not accept anything else. Next, the J15 2x was against Wycliffe College and they produced a creditable performance but lost to opposition that had been in training for two years. Next the J14 2x on their third outing, in an effort to expunge their earlier problems, rowed well, but this time a Shrewsbury 2x beat them. There was then a hiatus until the WJ14 2x had their semi-final against Worcester RC who were strong, having been rowing for two years, and again we lost. That left two finals: the first was the J14 8x against RGS Worcester - the start was good but then Sarah had to steer to avoid a crew that crossed our path and so after a good row, (good enough for Sarah to be very impressed) they lost. Finally the WJ14 4x had a good row against Worcester RC, the 2x plus two others: it was a good race but again we were adrift off the pace and lost. A reasonable day, if somewhat long, had culminated in a lack of success, but plenty of experience for all.

The term was to end with Thames Valley a fortnight later; however, two outings were missed because of school exams and PGB was incapacitated after Saturday‘s outing and Oli in the Octuple succeeded in catching a crab of such proportions that he and Greg needed to visit casualty. Thus reserve coaches were called in for the remaining outings and DMC got up very early on the Sunday, with Mrs Bailhache, to take all the crews J14 8x, WJ14 4x, WJ14 2x, J14 x and Nader Sadek, to the regatta. The quads had a reasonable race and were in contention for second place up to half way, but then faded quickly over last part. Unfortunately again they were up against girls who have been sculling a lot longer. However, with time these girls will catch up! The 2x had a good start and were well in contention during the first half with Reading RC leading by a couple of lengths and Monkton and King‘s School Canterbury neck and neck. In the last quarter, however, our technique started to falter allowing KSC to push us into 3rd place by only ½ length. Nader had a flying start but then early steering problems caused him to hit a couple of buoys and a clump of reeds. By half-way he was 3 lengths down but good sculling and straight steering down the latter part of the course kept his opposition working all the way to the line. Finally the 8x who were up against Abingdon School and Shiplake College in the first round, despite not being particularly together on their first stroke they nevertheless got it back together and powered it away to lead by over half a length at the half-way mark. Unfortunately, individuals started looking across at the other crew and lost concentration on their own rhythm. Cohesion suffered, resulting in one person coming off his seat plus a number of crabs, allowing Abingdon to come through and take the lead. Thankfully, the Abingdon crew suffered a similar fate.

The final was against Reading Bluecoat School who had disposed of Westminster School and St Georges College in the other Heat. Pre-race preparation was not too good with the planned crew meeting time ending up 15 minutes late by the time everybody was together. Greg also had the symptoms of heat stroke, but was determined to race. As the crew paddled up to the start without their 5 man joining in, it was obvious that he was too ill to row. Greg took the hard decision while they were waiting up above the start line. After OK-ing it with Reading, super-sub Nader waded out to replace Greg. The race was excellent and despite the change, everything went to plan with the crew powering off to gain a lead and they maintained their concentration and cohesion to win by 1½ lengths. Well done to Nader for slotting in so easily.

Thus a successful crew came back and after unloading the 8x were invited to JMB's to be rewarded with 'cocoa and cakes', actually chocolate cake, strawberries and cream and Monkton Bluefriars ties presented by the one and only Rowley. The term thus finished on a deserved high and I look forward to seeing all do well in their rowing in the future. Congratulations to the J14 Octuple Scull on winning their event! Crew: Wainaina Junghae, George Purves, James Alford, Greg Flower (sub- Nader Sadek), Simon Martin, Ollie Cantwell, Charlie Weaver, Simon Stevens, Sarah Springett. (Ollie Cantwell, Kyle Thielk, Charlie Weaver, Simon Stephens, Sarah Springett), with Charlie and Simon forming a J14 2x, a J14 8x (James Alford, Jordan Carter, George Purves, Tim Parsons, Wainaina Junghae, Gus Ashall, Simon Martin, Greg Flower, Sarah Springett), a J15 2x (Sam Hawkins, James Warr), a WJ14 4x (Caroline Alford, Lucy Sargison, Kirstie Carnfield, Charlotte Alford, Jemima Green) and a WJ14 2x (Claudia Dickinson, Genevieve Bailhache).

PGB