This newsletter records both successes and failures, excitement and disappointment, in contrast to what we read in the press and elsewhere about what is portrayed as continual improvement in results - particularly in exam performance, where high grades have become the norm.
It is in the nature of a competitive sport like rowing that most people lose most of the time, even if their standards are improving along with everyone else's. It is of course different in sports where matches take place between two teams or individuals, when one can expect to win roughly half the time. If a team wins or loses too frequently, then it is probably in the wrong competition.
This contrast between non-stop success in exams and frequent failure in sporting competition is perhaps difficult to cope with, but the constant balance between highs and lows makes sport all the more interesting.
There are incidents that stand out from the humdrum. This year, a fit young man who was detained in Ashfield Youth Offenders Institution and trained regularly on weights, found himself rowing on a machine against what looked like weak opposition from Monkton. He started his 2000m race with great gusto at a high rate. Onlookers tried to calm him down, knowing what would happen after a minute or so.
But he would not take advice. Bang on time, he ran out of air and ground to a halt. He was not pleased, and could not understand what had happened. An Olympic gold medallist, who was there to support the match and give away prizes quietly encourage the competitor back onto the machine, and he carried on. His contribution helped his team to win by a few seconds. After cooling down, he was heard to say that he had better learn how to use the machine properly so he could beat all-comers. Success out of failure.