CHAIRMAN’S VIEW

At the end of the rowing year LRC is busy as ever with entries in twelve events at Henley Town and Visitors Regatta, recording four wins. Well done to all who competed and to those who cheered from the banks. It’s been a memorable year and our rowing groups continue to thrive at all levels, whether it’s just enjoying getting out on the river or competing. This year is of course a particularly special one culminating in the HRR win.

We had a very good turnout at the AGM on 16 July. After the formal business of reports and elections of Captain, Presidents and Vice Presidents, it was great to ‘let our hair down’ with a party for members, families and guests.

Whether you serve on the General Committee, sub committees, as a group lead, general volunteer and ‘doer’ or as an athlete, thank you. Your contributions are vital and make the Club what it is. I would like to say a particular thank you to Colin Christie who has served as Strategy Director for the last four years and who has stepped down this summer.

Your committee will shortly be reviewing the governance structure of the Club to ensure we are well-placed to meet the challenges of the coming year. In the autumn we will be holding a discussion forum so members can have their say.

Best wishes to everyone for the holiday season!

Bill Baker
Chairman, London Rowing Club

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

Not even the terrible British summer can dampen our member’s love of racing. London Rowing Club members have been busy competing every weekend for the last month.

In a very wet Ireland, at the Home International Regatta, London members Annie Stevens, Matt Reeder and Ed Davis won the coxed four. Calum Jenkins joined them to win the eight 2km and 500m races coached by chief coach, Stu Heap. New member, Laura Bates won in the women’s quad for Scotland. Harry Smallman and Yas Khalife put in strong performances for Wales but it was England who took home the Victor Ludorum.

Molesey Regatta was thwarted with high winds which cancelled racing during the regatta. Henley Masters Regatta served up some great side by side racing, tough competition and stormy weather. Staines Regatta was competitive with both international and local tideway crews. Maidenhead Regatta was a winning course for Zena Howard and Diana Sargent in MasF double who were presented their medals by a local dignitary, no less.

Henley T&V Regatta, one of my favourite regattas owing to the atmosphere, Pimms and great trophies, was our largest showing with 19 crews entered and a huge 7 wins. Last season’s squad captains, Rowena Price and Graham Ord won the mixed double and power couple status. Saskia Gill and Emily Walters won the women’s coxless four in a composite with RAF and TSS. Kirill Anurov and George Caluian won the MasB doubles. Rachel Evans and Camille Lanckneus won the MasA women’s doubles, a terrific win for the Young Irregulars. Saskia Gill, Emily Walters, Chloe Ramambason, Isabel Zakers, Vicki Brock and Heather Scott won the women’s eight with a composite with RAF and TSS. James Sexton Barrow, Jason Bowyer, James Robinson and Rob Williams won the MasA/B coxless fours after some excellent cold water recover from the former captain. Ed Davis won the single and cemented rumours of his comeback.

Summer Fight Nights are back! Mixed age, gender and ability boats going head-to-head with some friendly, competitive battle paddling. A great event organised by Jenny Arthur, Basil Amin and Jason Bowyer, I strongly encourage everyone to take part if they can. And if the racing doesn’t appeal, then join the crews post battle at the bar open to all members and their guests.

Wishing everyone a terrific rest of the summer.

Bang the Drum!

Elizabeth Cottrell
Captain, London Rowing Club

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

See more detail for these events, visit our Calendar of Events…

MILLENNIALS (AND FRIENDS) AT HENLEY T&V

LRC’s younger racing masters were well-represented at Henley Town and Visitors regatta. A strong contingent of Millennials, including some new recruits from squad retirees, as well as current and past women’s squad members (and a couple of extra friends), enjoyed some fun races and unexpected excitement to bring the summer racing season to a close.

Millennials (left to right): James Robinson, Will Randall, Killian O’Shea, Julian Hyde, Josh Culleton, Tom Platts, James Sexton-Barrow, Matt Piechowicz, Jason Bowyer, Nick Musson, Marco Meloni, Edward Cole, Heather Scott, Jack Bannenberg.

The Millennials fours had been hoping to shake up some Oxford college crews in the lower bands of open 4 racing but were bumped up into Band 1 to face tougher opponents. Our second boat (Tom Platts, Josh Culleton, George Caluian, Julian Hyde) finished second in their category, behind a strong composite Staines/Mündener crew. Our top boat (Matt Piechowicz, Will Randall, Nick Musson, Jason Bowyer) raced Vesta’s A&B Wyfold crews. An ambitiously strong start sequence saw us move ahead at rate 44, but we were writing cheques our bodies couldn’t cash. With energy reserves dwindling and lactate debts accumulating in the LRC crew, it was Vesta who would claim the silverware this time.

Later in the morning session, our Masters B quad had a close race against RAF to lose by less than a length.

MasB4- winners: James “Sully” Sexton-Barrow, Will “Silky” Randall, James “Skippy” Robinson, Jason “Shouty” Bowyer.

The men’s open eight drew Blue Star and a Minerva Bath crew who had recently raced in the Thames cup. After a solid block of training as a crew (i.e. the paddle up to the start!), our seasoned oarsmen were confident as we attached to the stakeboat. However, a three length verdict put to rest any lingering fantasies of our might-have-been HRR’23 campaign (best stick to the Remenham bar!)

In the afternoon session, Kirill and George were victorious in the Masters B double, first dispatching a crew from Twickenham easily in the heats, then beating Falcon by 5 lengths in the final. In the single sculls, defending champion Tom Platts had been denied an entry due to administrative oversight, but Edward Cole represented the Millennials, beating RAF by 1.5L to finish second in the heat.

MasB2x winners: George Caluian & Kirill Anurov.

On the women’s side - the first race of the day was the 2-. Having enjoyed training in this pair on the tideway, they confidently took to the Henley stretch for their first ever race as a pair. After a last-minute crash course in manoeuvring in a 2- (having never backed down as a pair prior to race day) they attached to their start and were ready to face the Vesta 2-. A scorching start saw them pull ½ a length of clear water, with the LRC pair still leading at Remenham. The bouncy water and headwind eventually got the better of them, finishing 2nd in their straight final.

Next up was the 4- steered by Saskia Gill, joined by Emily Walters (LRC), Kirstyn Luton (TSS) and Annabel Headley (RAF). A scorching 3 way straight final against Vesta and Curlew - the LRC composite fought neck a neck with the Vesta 4- down the 800m course. With a tough headwind, and 3 lane racing - the umpire for this race warned Vesta back onto station with 200m to go LRC, seizing their opportunity, broke back through Vesta to claim back a canvas lead crossing the line. With the chaos of the steering, the result however was deemed too close to call, and both Vesta and LRC were sent back to the start for a re-row with Saskia Gill determined to win by a larger margin the second time. As the crews came down the course a second time, the LRC composite confidently rowed clear of the Vesta 4- to win the race by 3L, giving Saskia and the Christopher (shell) a much-deserved win on the Henley stretch.

Women’s 4 winners: Emily Walters, Kirstyn Luton (TSS), Annabel Headley (RAF), Saskia Gill.

The final race of the day for the girls (and arguably the most important) was in the LRC composite VIII. A race commenced with the crew singing happy birthday to the one and only Isabel Zakers - and finished with party hats whilst holding a trophy. A strong start and shift onto rhythm saw the eight pull ½ a length clear of the opposition (Newcastle alumni and Reading alumni), and by Remenham enclosure cox Heather Scott was ready to call bow-ball on the Newcastle eight. With several members of this eight now retired, the entire race was promised to last exactly 100 strokes - and as we crossed the line into a heavy headwind, several crew members agreed 800m at Henley was in fact the perfect race distance.

Women’s 8 winners: Heather Scott (cox), Emily Walters, Kirstyn Luton (TSS), Annabel Headley (RAF), Kaila Engleman (TSS), Isabel Zakers, Chloe Ramambason, Vicky Brock, Saskia Gill.

The Masters 4- was one of the last races of the day, with two LRC Millennials crews racing against RAF. Off the start, the LRC boats opened up a comfortable lead as the RAF steered like fighter pilots all over the course. Working hard with his white flag at the back of the field, the race umpire did not notice that the launch from the previous race was drifting idle up ahead, obstructing the course near the finish line. In the final strokes of the race, JSB at bow called the leading LRC crew to stop completely to avoid a collision with this launch, which was now making its own RAF-style evasive manoeuvre full-throttle across the course.

Disaster averted, we took the last 3 strokes over the line to just retain a half-length lead over our team mates. Seeing red, one of our crew exclaimed something about an “unexpected launch”. His exact choice of words were unwise in front of an assembled audience of chief umpire and regatta committee at the finish line, and the red flag was duly waved in the blue air. After some profuse on-land apologies, we were allowed to collect our medals and head to the pub to celebrate a good day’s racing.

Masters fours drama at the finish line (L-R): Mark Boyd, Josh Culleton, George Caluian, Julian Hyde, James Sexton-Barrow, Will Randall, James Robinson, Jason Bowyer. The yellow finish line buoy and bows of the umpire launch are visible in the left foreground.

Thanks go to Stu & team for organising and towing the trailer for the day. Sincere thanks also to the volunteers, umpires, and committee of Henley T&V for a memorable weekend.

Will Randall and Chloe Ramambason

YOUNG IRREGULARS REPORT

We are going strong and are happy... boating a good number of rowers for each outing, typically twice per week, whilst also working and enjoying summer social activities. The beauty of a recreational group!

Over the last couple months, the three crews in preparation for Henley Town & Visitors Regatta stepped up their training.

Great credit to the others in the group who remained focused on their own goals during that time.

It all worked out wonderfully for us.

Sincere thanks to friends who helped coach (and cover for me over holiday time) Harry Smallman, Nathan O'Reilly, Ben Helm and the Club coaches in the July & August sessions - Stuart Heap, Killian O'Shea and Nick Musson. Thanks also to friends who loaned AIO's - Devin Ward, Jenny Arthur and Elinor Ward.

Masters A 2x

Eilidh McCormick (Bow) Silvana Schloegl (Stroke).

Some words from Eilidh:

"When I started rowing just over 4 years ago, I had no clue what a regatta was. The only rowing I had seen was from towpath walks, and the small, skinny sculling boats looked like a daunting and impossible prospect. On Saturday 29th July, I was bow in a double scull, rowing on the celebrated Henley stretch of the Thames...how things have changed!

My first regatta was a wonderful experience made even better by the Young Irregulars group, the wider LRC members and the fantastic coaching and organisational teams.

Thank you all so much and I am looking forward to the next one."

Masters AB 4x

Minna Morgan (3), Victoria Wilson (2), Isabel Palmer (Bow), Honoria Simpson (Stroke).

Some words from Isabel:

"The Women's Masters quad faced a straight final in one of the last races of the day against stiff competition from Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club. After a great start, where we clawed back a little of the 2 second handicap applied to our crew, we held the Weybridge crew at our bows until about half-way. Despite the strong headwind, the crew held their nerve and delivered a good performance, but unfortunately Weybridge pulled away in the last minute to secure a convincing victory."

Masters A 2x - Winners!

Rachel Evans (Bow), Camille Lanckneus (Stroke).

Some words from Rachel:

"First time racing a double in 14 and 15 years for us, unsurprisingly, nerves were high. Having spent the best part of the last 5 weeks training together, we felt strong and determined to do LRC and the Young Irregulars proud!

Paddling down to the start was no easy feat with gusty winds, pleasure boats and kayaks a plenty - made even worse after we'd watched a double completely taken out by an oncoming pleasure boat, moments before launching. Before we knew it, we were lined up awaiting the umpires signal when we heard the resounding call - Attention, Go!

Out of the blocks, mastering our well practiced start we gained a boat length on the two other crews. The next 500 metres were a blur of building and lengthening, we started to see the crowds lining the river bank instantly giving us motivation to pull further ahead and crossed the finish line in a respectable 4:05 minutes. We were elated!

Onwards and upwards as we are all extra motivated to push on for the Head Races later this year. Special thanks to all for their wise words of advice and support and to our fellow Young Irregulars."

Kathleen Curran

TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS AND TRIUMPHS

Maidenhead Regatta is on a particularly beautiful part of the Thames. Last year, as some readers of The London Roar may remember, was rather a trial; we missed out on a doubles victory due to a mixture of both a visiting Australian couple who were national champions taking part and the shall we say ‘approximate’ time keeping by the finish marshal.

However, this year things were different: the weather was largely foul with thunder and heavy rain compared to last year’s full-on sun (but as ever the regatta was really well organised and great fun).

And I am pleased to report that there were victories for LRC: against a strong women’s double from Kingston (we won by two feet). And in the Open Eights.

Diana Sargent (AK/London) and Zena Howard (LRC) and the Mayor of Maidenhead.

LRC’s Edoardo Marshall, who hails from Maidenhead, got together with Calum Jenkins, Charles Powell and James Clarke as they joined forces with top rowers from Maidenhead, Leander and Molesey to give hugely exciting and impressive racing. Calum and Charles were victorious in the Open Eights, winning by a canvas.

Calum Jenkins (back row, 3rd from left), James Clarke (back row, 5th from left), Charles Powell (2nd from right) and Edoardo Marshall (middle row, 2nd from left).

A further note of interest in the photo above is that the gentleman in the centre of the group, the ‘Maidenhead Mascot’, was also presented to me, Diana and the boys when they won. I was told that he joined MBC in 1947 and has rowed to victory on the Tideway in his time. He is 95 years old and went into the Guinness Book of Records a few weeks back having been the oldest person ever to do a ‘Wing-Walk on a Bi-Plane’. 😊 Age is no barrier!!

Back to rowing: while the 4- saw the London composite just edged out in the final, Adam Randall and his girlfriend Marije Plak entering the Open Mixed Doubles stormed through 3 rounds to decisively reach the final but were then just ‘pipped to the post.’

I do hope that more LRC members will be keen to enter Maidenhead Regatta next year; it is such a fantastic regatta with a great atmosphere. Perhaps we can load up the big trailer?

Zena Howard

LRC AGM REPORT

The club’s AGM was held at noon on Sunday 16th July with our President, Mike Baldwin, presiding and reports given by our Captain, Elizabeth Cottrell, and Treasurer, Philip Carré. Annual elections for the positions of President, Vice President and Captain were held. Mike, Elizabeth and our Vice Presidents (Ben Helm, Sophie Hosking, Richard Philips and Mike Williams) were re-elected. Mike Shasha was also confirmed in his position of Membership Officer having been appointed since the last AGM.

The Sunday scheduling of the AGM resulted in more than 60 members attending in person, many in club blazers, and others joining via Zoom. In his introduction, Mike said that the meeting was an opportunity to celebrate what had been a year of considerable progress for the club. Elizabeth highlighted the wide range of sculling, Squad and Masters’ victories, which culminated in our winning the Wyfold at Henley and coming very close in the Britannia. She congratulated the athletes and coaches, but emphasised that the results reflected the efforts of the whole club. She thanked all those who had volunteered to support the club’s organisation and finances and everyone who had turned out to cheer the crews.

In his report Philip reminded members of the club’s operating model. He explained that membership and rental fees broadly covered the operating expenses of the club with events revenues, the Casamajor Club contributions and donations by members creating a surplus for investment in equipment and the premises and the repayments of loans. In this context, he was pleased to report that the number of members had risen to 804, the events team of Annabel Lawrence and Kate MacDonald had increased the room hire order book by 40%, Casamajor funds had been contributed to purchase sculling blades and to refurbish boats and the club had received very substantial donations and bequests. As a result, since the last AGM more than £150k had been invested in boats and equipment and some important infrastructure projects had been undertaken, most notably the renovation of the Resis’ kitchen. Furthermore, some loans had been repaid ahead of schedule such that the club’s debts were now manageable.

Philip said that unfortunately rising costs had necessitated increases in membership and rental fees. He cautioned that we had to remain vigilant to maintain what was a much improved financial position.

Mike thanked Elizabeth and Philip for their very positive reports. He had generously arranged for some fizz to be served after the AGM and invited members to join him in a celebration of the club’s success. Bill Baker proposed a toast to the club and Luis Orozco proposed another to the victorious Wyfold Four. Many members stayed well into the afternoon to enjoy what was a very pleasant social occasion.

Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club

NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome the following new members to the Club:

Laura Bates
Connor Cockerill
Joshua Harty
Liam Gorman
Alexandra Hammerberg
Sean O’Mahony
Robert Packer
Brandon Taft
Danni Walters

We hope you will enjoy being part of the London Rowing Club community and will help us build an ever happier and more successful club.

We are always pleased to have more members so, if you know of anyone who you think might like to join the Club, please either let us know or encourage them to get in touch with us themselves.

There is information on becoming a member on our website: https://www.londonrc.org.uk/membership-enquiries or you can contact the Club’s Membership Secretary, Jessica Salter, whose email address is: membership@londonrc.org .uk

Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club

SALT SPRING ISLAND ROWING CLUB

Grab your globe, spin it and stop on the Canadian West Coast. Find Vancouver Island (same sized land mass as Switzerland) look a bit east and spot the Gulf Islands. Salt Spring is the largest of these islands AND it has a rowing club.

6am found me at the end of a road, the unpaved part, as the sun was rising through the pine trees. A wooden jetty led to a large expanse of calm water which gives them a clear 2000m stretch. Mr Auber would love it - no tide nor river traffic nor shingle beaches. But there is no clubhouse to speak of, therefore no bar, and a portaloo is not to everyone’s liking.

A serene early morning scene on St Mary’s Lake.

Everyone was very hospitable and I joined the coaching session. The club, like so many others, relies on the time and enthusiasm of volunteers. There is a healthy Junior programme and the club receives sponsorship from local businesses.

At the end of the month is their home regatta, Race Around the Rock, an 88 km relay around the island.

I am hoping to get out with them again one morning before returning to London although as I have now got over my jet lag, getting up at 5.15am is less appealing.

Diana Bartley
LRC Irregular

VALE JESSICA SALTER

I first met Jessica just over six years ago. I had recently joined the Club’s Committee at the time and wanted to meet the Club’s administration team.

Jessica had been the Membership Secretary for 4 years by then. I found her friendly, polite, thoughtful and clearly very knowledgeable about the members. It also quickly became apparent that she had a lovely sense of humour. Almost by chance, I also established that she had both a Law Degree and a First Class in Information Design, something about which I felt she was very modest.

When I was invited by the Committee to take on the editorship of The London Roar from August 2017, I agreed to do so on condition that Jessica would work with me, doing the things that I couldn’t do namely formatting the newsletter and distributing it to the membership.

The vast majority of the members were happy to receive their copy by email. A few preferred to receive a hard copy by post and Jessica ensured that this happened. She recognised that it was important to try to cater for all our members’ needs. She also ensured that two of the hard copies went to the Club’s archivist, Julian Ebsworth, for him to file for the long term records of the Club’s activities.

Thus began what has been a very happy and, I believe, successful partnership which has resulted in TLR being published every month on its designated date and time.

Jessica has decided that it is time to wind down. While I am very sorry about this, I have accepted the inevitable. This edition of TLR will be her last. I hope that she and David will thoroughly enjoy their retirement together and that we will continue to see them at the Club, where their presence will be most welcome.

A huge vote of thanks should go to Jessica from all of us for everything she has done for the Club and its members, both in her capacity as Membership Secretary and for all the voluntary work she has done for the last six years working with me on TLR.

Miles Preston
LRC, Editor of The London Roar

REPORTING SAFETY INCIDENTS

All members are reminded that if you are involved in or witness a water safety incident, you are required to report it using the following email address: safety@londonrc.org.uk

The Club will file any necessary reports on your behalf with British Rowing and the PLA. Members should not submit reports directly to either body.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

My thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition of the London Roar. If you have an idea for an article or would be interested in submitting a piece for inclusion in a future edition, please email me on miles.preston@londonrc.org.uk

Please do not submit an article without first liaising with me.

Miles Preston
Editor of The London Roar