The season 06 to 07 for the year 10 boys in the Boat Club was an enjoyable, auspicious one in many ways, although extremely frustrating in terms of competitive rows. Thanks to the overwrought weather conditions and floods, Bluefriars Small Boats Head race and the J15 Fours Head at Dorney Lake were the only two definitive outside competitions in which we took part.
However, thanks to GPR's inspired ideas, the regular weekly home head races, organised on Saturday afternoons (with one trip up, one trip down and an average time taken), kept the crews ambitious and performances hot! Given that we arrived eventually at two quads of very different character and make up, their performances were remarkably similar, which made for some excellent races!
Our training camp at Wimbleball Lake in Devon, over the Lent Half Term, was unbelievably wet, but very hard work and extremely revealing. For example, unexpectedly, Tom Wiley showed himself to be a promising stroke, size notwithstanding! With Henry Page, Sebastian Norman and James Wright he went on to establish a well disciplined crew, coxed by George Ralli. Toby Saunders, the other extremely dynamic and fiery stroke, stoked Charlie Adams, Charles Absolon and James Markham along to some notable victories, whatever was lacking in technical discipline amply made up for in guts and fire! When on form, George Powney coxed with verve and imagination! There is huge promise in this squad for next season, and a brilliant, combative attitude that gives total commitment, at whatever the cost. Very well done!
A third Quad developed during the year, stroked strongly and regularly by Jason Lam, with a variety of different oarsmen behind him, including notably James Hepburn, Joe Farrag (who both demonstrated real athletic potential) and Josh Grogan (who always be remembered for his sartorial excellence at the training camp), and Kieran Rhodes, who is a lot better than he thinks he is!
Felix Hathaway, potentially one of the best oarsmen in the squad, turned in some excellent rows in a double with various partners; when he can find his focus, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
David Newport and Jamie Bateman also demonstrated some vigorous rowing, if somewhat inconsistently!
Tyrone Leparmentier, plagued by a variety of physical indispositions, proved to be an absolute master of the outboard motor, and gave sterling service throughout the season in organising and piloting the coaching launches, for which many thanks.
Both the coaches were impressed and delighted with the singularly good-natured, well focused and highly motivated attitude of the whole squad throughout the season. The frustrations due to weather in no way mitigated against the pleasure that we both derived from the company and efforts of all. All the very best for the future to some talented, personable and hard-working athletes!