As we travel to the National Schools’ Regatta, boys from right across the Boat Club are making their final training preparations ahead of what is always one of the most exciting and significant regattas of the summer.
However, it has not been easy for the boys in the lead up to this event – the extraordinarily wet and windy winter, led to the cancellation of many events, and, consequently, the boys have lacked the usual amount of race experience.
Despite this, our rowers have not been deterred, and have have gone full throttle into their training sessions, embracing all opportunities to hone their technique and build their stamina.
To re-address the loss of time on the water, our coaches have filled training sessions with volume and intensity, alongside team bonding activities and excursions. Boys have been given the opportunity to strengthen their relationships with each other and refine their goals and ambitions – the aim being to prepare them for the upcoming racing season and begin the year with a positive mindset.
One of these excursions saw the Colts and the Seniors travelling to Sarnen in Switzerland, which, known for its ‘magical water’, did not escape the weather extremes. On arriving, the boys were greeted with warm sunshine and mirror flat water. However, within five minutes of getting on the water, the wind blew up and the boats were in danger of sinking. After a few days of wet and cold, the weather gradually improved and there were periods of calm. Despite getting up early for 6.30am water sessions, the boys put their all into the camp and made excellent progress.
Meanwhile, our J14s and J15s attended a training camp based at Radley College. Faced with high winds, the boys were forced off the water and instead spent time in the Radley rowing tank and on ergos instead. Whilst the conditions gradually improved, it was a challenging camp, but progress was made. Despite the difficulties, the boys were a credit to themselves and the school.
Master in Charge of Rowing, Dr Will Suthers, explained, “I have been incredibly impressed with the boys’ commitment and dedication. The summer term has not seen the end to weather disruption, with a flooded river and, almost fittingly, the last session before NSR has been impacted by high stream conditions. However, the boys across all the squads have remained committed and, as a result, there have been some spectacular successes. A clean sweep of 1st, 2nd and 3rd 8s at Bedford Regatta is unprecedented for the school. I particularly enjoyed watching the 3rd 8 warming up for their final; they were focused, and you could feel the anticipation and determination emanating from them. And then hearing the shear joy, sending water everywhere as they crossed the line to win.”
Wallingford Regatta saw our 1st, 2nd and Colts VIII racing and, despite no overall wins, all three crews showed good potential and highlighted how tight the events are.
The 1st VIII beat Latymer for the first time in several years and went on to finish third overall behind Eton and Dulwich.
The 2nd VIII had an excellent heat and gained a place in the repechage, beating Shiplake 2nd VIII by 0.7sec and Latymer 2nd VIII by 0.2sec. They produced another excellent performance to finish fifth ahead of Monmouth’s 1st VIII and not far behind Norwich and Blue Coat 1st 8s.
The Colts VIII also had a strong performance to finish seventh, just missing the final, but beating Abingdon for the first time.
The BASHER Regatta provided a good opportunity for boys at the lower ends of the squads to race, with our 1st 4, 2nd 8, 3rd 8, Colts 8, J15 8, and two J14 octuples competing. All the boys raced well with many competing at their first regatta.
Three Sixth Formers raced at the GB Junior Spring Regatta, with two boys finishing strongly in the C final and who are currently waiting to be offered a race-off opportunity to earn a place a final trials at the end of the summer term.
More latterly, in what was a rare sighting of sunshine, around 130 boys – almost every boy in the school’s boat club – enjoyed a superb day at the Bedford Regatta. Taking place on ‘home waters’, the Bedford Regatta is always one of the longest and toughest regatta days in the rowing calendar with racing starting at 8.40am and finishing after 7.00pm.
While racing was excitingly challenging, the ambiance was glorious as spectators lined the banks of the River Great Ouse, basking in the warmth of the spring sunshine while cheering on the crews.
Also soaking up the ambience, many for the first time, were a team of Prep School boys who took on a vital role on the stake boats. Their job was to lie on a floating pontoon and hold the racing boats steady so that they could get straight and ready for the umpire to start the race.
The senior squad had an excellent day, in particular the 1st VIII, who beat Abingdon and Norwich twice to win both the J18 1st VIII and the ‘Grand Challenge 8’ – the premier event at the regatta.
And so, with the National Schools’ Regatta next in the rowing calendar, the boys are chomping at the bit for a chance to demonstrate their prowess on Dorney Lake this weekend and, while we are not expecting the sunshine, we cannot wait to see how the boys fare on the water.
Bedford School offers sports scholarships to boys at 13+ and 16+ entry, who demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and potential for future development in one or more of our four major sports of rugby, hockey, cricket and rowing. Additionally, with thanks to Old Bedfordian Brian Cawley (60-69), we are delighted to offer the Brian Cawley Rowing Scholarship for talented rowers to join us at 16+, with awards of up to 100% of fees possible for successful applicants.
For details on how to apply, please go to bedfordschool.org.uk/admissions/how-to-apply or contact our Admissions Team at admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk.
