What a season for the Boat Club. 23 wins, a semi-final spot for the first double at the National Schools' Regatta, qualification for Henley, a 25 mile sponsored row for charity and I think a few OM's won a medal or two somewhere in Asia!!!
Every crew in the club has tasted success this year and it has only whet the appetite for more. Wins at the Bluefriars Head, Wycliffe Head, Bryanston Head, Avon County Head, Birmingham Regatta, Bristol Avon Regatta and Tewkesbury Regatta saw one of the best years that Monkton have had on the water for years.
A record breaking six wins at Birmingham regatta was soon followed by five wins at Bristol Avon Regatta. The J14's, J15's, J16's, the girls 1st squad and the boys 1st squad have all produced wonderful and memorable performances, all of which are a credit to the coaches and the individuals themselves.
One of the highlights for me every year is to see the crews from the younger age groups progress technically, physically and mentally. I always keep a keen eye on all the younger crews to see who and what talent is coming through. It excites me to see a great bunch of technically gifted J14 boys on their way up the club. Also the J14 girls look strong and committed. The J15 boys have looked solid all year and in particular the first J15 quad has some big boys in it....potential. The Girls J15 crew produced a magnificent 25 mile row for Breast Cancer research and Wateraid, accumulating over £2000 for both charities, very commendable. The J16 boys have been the outstanding crews of the year producing magnificent performances at Bluefriars Head, Birmingham Regatta, Bristol/Avon Regatta and being half of the first VIII for Henley, as well as being selected to row for WAGS at the Inter-regional regatta in Nottingham. Similarly the J16 girls have moved into the senior girls crews with some fine performances throughout the year. They have really pushed the boys' first squad to achieve high levels. Both the girls' and boys' senior crews have had good wins throughout the Head and Regatta seasons and, with all the athletes returning, I have high hopes for them in the coming year.
Special thanks and praise must go to the support team behind all these crews; without this back-up Monkton rowing would not be what it is........hugely successful.
Thanks to: Sean Wilkinson (J14), Toby Johnson (J14), Greg Flower (J14), Jamie Jameson (J15), Mike Smith (J15 and Logistics), Peter Bossom (GJ15), Carl Purchase (J16 and repairs), Steve Miller (J16), Will Robins (Girls Senior), Andy Taylor (Strength and Conditioning), Jenny Conway (Physio) and of course Julian Bewick (Chief Organiser and motivator)