Last week we were delighted to welcome a very important and interesting visitor into school to mark the start of a new partnership inspired by a mutual love of rowing, which will see the introduction of a series of annual awards to recognise excellence in rowing across the school.
The weather could not have been more idyllic when well-known Chinese entrepreneur and adventurer Wang Shi joined us to explore our long-standing rowing history. After meeting Head Master, James Hodgson, and enjoying a tour of the school, which included seeing memorabilia from Old Bedfordian and multiple Olympic rowing champion Jack Beresford (1913-17), Mr Wang then headed to our Boathouse on the Great Ouse.
The river looked glorious with the early summer sunshine sparkling from its ripples, perhaps too inviting for Mr Wang to resist taking to the water himself and teaming up with our two-time former Olympian and Director of Rowing, Pete Mulkerrins. Mr Wang only started rowing seven years ago, but that did not stop him putting Pete through his paces as the crew of four (which also included two of our boy rowers) built up quite a tempo. Rowing is one of many sports that 72-year-old Mr Wang practises. A strong advocate of exercise, some of his notable achievements include reaching the summit of Everest twice, as well as scaling the faces of many of the world’s other great peaks.
He explained, “What I love about rowing is that it is a team sport. Climbing a mountain is all about the individual, but with rowing, I have others to think about too and it is important to learn how to think collaboratively.”
Rowing also forms the foundation of Mr Wang’s pioneering eco-friendly sports group DeepDive, which helps train executive-level entrepreneurs. Part of their programme includes rowing in Cambridge, and it was during his time there that Mr Wang was able to nurture his love of rowing, with the aim of promoting the sport across China. It was this passion that brought Mr Wang to Bedford School to row at one of the oldest school Boat Clubs in the country (our Boat Club dates back over 160 years). The River Great Ouse that runs through the town was a great attraction too. He explained, “Part of my work is to promote canal and river culture as, historically, these have helped bring diversity and trade to the towns and cities of the world. This, coupled with a school with great facilities and coaching opportunities, makes Bedford a great choice for Chinese students.”
After the trip down to the river and an energetic row, Mr Wang and his entourage headed back to school for a delicious buffet lunch in the Langham Cricket Pavilion with our 1st VIII rowers and sports scholars.
The boys, as well as key members of staff, were able to chat to Mr Wang and ask some questions about his inspirational life – one of which included, “What advice would you give your teenage self?”, to which he replied, “Don’t be too energetic because you can burn out easily, but one day you will be like me and you will think about your whole past and you will not want to have any regrets. Do not relax, stay active, keep up the good work, study and be curious about the world.”
The new rowing award will be known as the DeepDive Beresford award in recognition of the great rowing talent and passion evident in the partnership, which also hopes to attract some good rowers from Mr Wang’s homeland to the UK for an education at Bedford School.
