CHAIRMAN’S VIEW
Winter is well and truly here and sadly the weather gods have been frowning on us rowers with the cancellation of the Fours Head and Masters Fours Head. As I write, the tail end of Storm Darragh is blowing through and all outings from LRC have been cancelled. The weather seems to have a greater and greater effect on our sport leading to disappointment and frustration but safety is the most important thing. Who knows if it is to do with climate change or it was ever thus, but red flags are common nowadays and must be respected of course. The Club has a tide marker high up on the wall of the building from the nineteenth century showing that extremes are nothing new.
Classics at the Club was a rather forlorn affair due to driving rain but three vehicles were on show: Peter Halford’s 1973 Land Rover Series 2, Simon Melvin’s 2002 Jaguar XKR and my 1966 Volvo 122S.
The bar was opened by Lucas and our President Mike Baldwin was also in attendance.
I’m very conscious of the army of volunteers who do valuable and often invisible work around the club. Fire alarm testing, gym maintenance, welfare and safety to name but a few. I would like to thank all who contribute to the running of LRC.
Happy Christmas to all our members and staff and wishing you all a healthy and successful New Year.
Bill Baker
Chairman, London Rowing Club
CAPTAIN’S REPORT
Having come through a somewhat wet and wild November, I am increasingly led to believe mother nature is not on the side of those who partake in our sport! It was a real shame that both the Veteran Fours Head and Fours Head were cancelled in November, although entirely understandable given the safety challenges the weather can pose to all athletes.
There can be a real feeling of frustration when races get cancelled, particularly when so many hours of training, erg testing, seat racing, selection (and selection anxiety) happen in the run up to them. I commend everyone’s efforts and aptitude to keep on pressing through, especially during the winter months, and their commitment to gearing up for the next race.
Nevertheless, November continued to be a busy month both on and off the water. The squad enjoyed a drag bingo brunch at LRC on Sunday, 24 November – a massive thanks to all those who organized this – it was a really great afternoon.
On Friday, 29 November, I attended our local rival Thames Rowing Cub’s annual dinner. It was an honour to represent LRC there. Suffice to say I endured an adequate amount of well-intended banter from their captain and members on the recent London vs Thames showdowns over the last few seasons. I look forward to welcoming the TRC captain and others to our own annual dinner on 30 January – save the date!
On the subject of events at the Club, please be advised that the Members Room will be undergoing a much-needed makeover in February. It is nearly a quarter of a century since it was last decorated and is now in need of a bit of attention. Given how this part of the club building was opened in 1871, it is important that the fabric of it is maintained periodically. The Long Room and Fairbairn Room were the subject of extensive redecoration in 2021.
Doing this also helps to develop the events business side of LRC which the Club is partially dependent upon to generate money for investment in the upkeep of the property and new boats. The Members Room is under-utilised and has been subject to water damage. Consequently, in order to make it more marketable, it is going to be repaired and redecorated. Internal resources are being utilised as much as possible to minimise costs. For example, the electrical works are being overseen by a member whose father did the upgrade to the wiring some twenty plus years ago.
For this, I have a plea to members. Please drop me an email if you are able and willing to help move furniture out of the room ahead of the renovation. This will likely take place over the first weekend in February. Your help will be most appreciated!
On the subject of club maintenance, it was decided this year that Club Pride Day should be split across two days over the season. Club Pride Day part 1 will be taking place this Sunday, 15th December and will be carried out solely by the senior squad (attendance is mandatory guys and gals!) and will focus on cleaning the gym, changing rooms and the Ashton Room. The gym will, therefore, be unusable that day from 10:00 until approximately 14:00.
Later in the Spring, Club Pride Day part 2 will take place and will focus on outdoor areas of the Club, including the bays, launches, balcony, side and back alley. This will be publicised closer to the time. Also, please note that CUBC are using the gym between 13:00-15:00 on Friday 13th December, so it will be busier than usual.
With that, here is wishing all our crews taking part in the Remenham Challenge this Saturday, 14th December the best of luck and success against our fellow Remenham founding member clubs. If you are not taking part, please come down to cheer them on from the bank. See you there!
Bang the drum!
Rob Porter
Captain, London Rowing Club
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
14 December: Remenham Challenge
15 December: Club Pride Day Part 1
16 December: The Boat Races: Cambridge Trial VIIIs Races at Putney
18 December: The Boat Races: Oxford Trial VIIIs Races at Putney
19 December: Christmas Party
25 January: Quintin Eights Head
30 January: Club Annual Dinner
1 February: Hampton Head
2 February: English Indoor Rowing Championships
9 February: Bedford Eights and Fours Head
15 February: Henley Fours Head
15 February: Molesey Head Races
16 February: Greenwich Eights and Fours Head
23 February: Hammersmith Head
23 February: Nottingham Masters and Head of the Trent
8 March: Women's Eights Head of the River Race
15 March: Kingston Head
22 March: The Head of the River Race
23 March: Vesta Veterans Head
25 March: Schools Head
See more detail for these events, visit our Calendar of Events…
MASTERS REPORT
This month has been a mix of emotions for the masters squad. Despite the disappointment of the Vets Fours Head cancellation, we have redirected our focus to the upcoming Remenham Challenge with renewed energy.
We are excited to announce our entries in multiple men's and women's categories, aiming for standout performances.
Training has continued regardless of the weather. The women's masters, determined to defend their 2023 title, braved the wettest morning of the month. Their perseverance paid off with glassy conditions, a small but satisfying win amidst the storms. Meanwhile, the men's masters are pushing forward, united in their quest for a Remenham win this year. We recognise the strong competition from our founding clubs, but our combined efforts are geared towards a great performance.
Also worth mentioning was the performances of Will Randall and Phil Clapp at the British Rowing Indoor Championships. Will took home the Silver medal on Saturday's Open Lwt Masters 30-39 2k, while Phil cleaned up in Sunday's Super Sprints, winning the 1000m, 250m, and 100m.
Here's to overcoming the challenges as we gear up for race day!
Jason Bowyer & Kirstyn Luton
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
It is a busy last two months of the year with the following events planned and we will welcome your support!
Christmas Party - 19th December 7pm.
ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO BOOK!
Glass of fizz, canapes, bowl food and sweet bites with carol singing!
£47 per person, book through MCH.
Sign up closes tomorrow, 13th December.
Remenham Head - 14th December 2024
Bar open for drinks and burgers from Midday.
Trial VIIIs
The trial VIIIs will be on Monday 16th and Wednesday 18th December.
Club open from 10am.
Burgers available from Midday.
Annual Dinner - Thursday, 30th January 2025
Save the date, more details to follow in the New Year.
Annabel Lawrence
Events Manager, LRC
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome the following new members to the Club:
David Knight
Jack Murphy
Beatrice Schutzer-Weissmann
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 or you can email the Club’s Membership Secretary:
Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club
CASAMAJOR CLUB DRAW RESULTS
The lucky winners of the October draw are as follows:
£75 prizes
Stuart Heap
Mark Lucani
Simon Smithson
Fiona Young
Tim Leppard
James Clarke
Jacqueline Grosch
Richard Columbine
£30 Prizes
Dave Houston
Brian Price
John Pearson
Andrew Lawrence
Stephen Wright
We shall be announcing the winners of the Christmas Star prizes of £600 and £200 very soon!
John Auber
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
