Bow: W Junghae, C O'Brien, S F Burns, T J J Parsons, A N Maclean, G G Flower, J G Alford, Str: O Cantwell, Cox: J Dewes; Coach: J M Bewick
The 1st VIII squad started indoor training in January, and persevered with it throughout the season, improving fitness and strength levels over the months. This gave them speed in the boat, particularly over the latter stages of long races. Most of this training was done in small groups at various times of each week. It would have been more effective if the crew had trained together more often, but individuals' other commitments and temperaments did not always make this possible.
Water-based work in the Lent Term started with a lot of low-rate paddling during which the crew was encouraged to row well, rather than at a high, or any particular rate. At no stage was the stroke encouraged to use a rate meter, but the crew found him easy to follow, and over a period of months the natural paddling rate rose steadily without it ever becoming a major concern. High pressure paddling was of better quality than low rate, with a few exceptions during the season.
For much of the year, the crew was afflicted with illness, injuries and accidents. These caused several important races to be rowed slowly, and a great deal of training was spoilt when oarsmen were out of the boat, or bravely rowing with 'flu, glandular fever, or other illness. Despite all the problems, they always came back fighting and looked forward to the improvements and success they deserved.
The Lent Term had several high points, the first of which was the Avon County race, where the crew beat eight others, and lost only to two top university boats. This effort was immediately followed by a worthwhile training camp at Wallingford, where dramatic progress was made in two days. A 20-minute row was particularly impressive, with no poor patches at all. This momentum was maintained after the half term break, when two excellent times (faster than all recorded, except by the 1982 crew) were achieved for the Head Race on Monkton waters. They were all set for successes at the important Head Races when the strongest man in the boat broke his shoulder, and two more were injured in quick succession. Spare men were called in for training and for the Schools' Head, but the crew certainly suffered by being disrupted, and their performance at the Schools Head was understandably poor.
The Nantes training camp saw the whole crew back in action again, and further excellent progress was made, with many useful kilometres being put on the clock. Soon after Nantes, they went to Wallingford Regatta, where they came second in Senior 4 Eights, in a field of 12 crews, including several that had beaten them by a long way at the Schools' Head. First round times had placed them about 5th, so it was good to see the crew involved in an exciting and close final, and to note that they rose to the challenges involved. So often, Monkton crews have failed to rise to occasions; this crew was clearly capable of doing do. There was another event in the afternoon, with better opposition. Monkton was beaten by two 1st VIIIs, but beat Eton 2nd VIII. The Monkton crew was not particularly pleased at this, because a win against good opposition was their aim throughout the season. But it's not often that we beat Eton II, and the coach, at least, was pleased!
The crew was involved in a close final at Avon County, and two more at Coate, one of which was lost by a foot on the stagger when Monkton was exhausted after several close races, and the opposition was relatively fresh.
The National Schools Regatta race was the worst of the season. The crew (including the coach) was inexplicably off form and the customary attack was completely missing. It may have been caused by over-confidence (there had been thoughts of a medal-winning position); or tiredness, or worry about non-rowing matters. Whatever the cause, this was an unfortunate race to pick for the bad one of the season!
The crew soon got back into form, with some impressive racing at Hereford, where they were in two finals.
Good training at Monkton included some attempts on the Mile (rowed in 5 min 22) and Henley (7 min 12) courses before Marlow, where the crew was back on form again, and were working very well together, avoiding dull patches which often occur in long races. A second place in the first round got the crew through to the repechage, which turned out to be one of the most exciting races of the year. They got through to the final by coming in at about 38 at the end of the 2000m race; but several of the crew had colds and one had glandular fever. One of the cold victims had rowed himself out during this race, and had to have medical attention. It took him ten minutes to recover, with the help of oxygen. We withdrew from the final, knowing that we were in the top six of the 17 crews entered.
After poor performances at The Schools Head and National Schools it was inevitable that the crew would have to row in the qualifying race at Henley - a very difficult race which has defeated many a Monkton crew. This year, they rowed at their best, and their time placed them within a second or so of qualifying.
So despite all the consistent efforts of the crew for the whole season, they finished with just one win in a division of a local head race, and had reached seven finals in the Summer. They deserved a win or two, but it was not to be. In the absence of any oarsmen in the Upper Sixth this year, the whole crew has another season to look forward to, including a selection process which will include some up and coming Colts who will be looking for places in the top boat. The excellent groundwork of 2004, along with undoubted commitment to training, continued for some during the Summer break, should enable them to have an even better season in 2005.
For more extensive notes about training and races see the website www.bluefriars.org.uk