On Sunday 11th December the Novice and Intermediate girls groups joined together for a Fund Day 'Regatta'. The sky was suspiciously dark and overcast following the oil depot explosion in Hertfordshire early that morning, but everyone was in high spirits.
As well as an orgy of chocolate and mince pie consumption- Maggi Bevan even donated her giant chocolate boot, won the previous week at a lunch at Leander - a few races were held. The tub quads were used and a variety of scratch crews raced over an course of around 250metres, finishing near the club. At the same time some team ergo competitions were held in the ergo room.
The races were notable for the sheer determination of the crews and the calmness of even some of the most inexperienced girls as crabs were caught and bums slipped off seats (in Aimee Broadbent's case due to her unadvisedly laughing too much). Also notable was the coxing - provided by more experienced, girls, Charlotte Eynon, Katy Lion, Carmel Bevan and Maddie Reynolds plus the injured Rachael Aldridge (not a rowing injury, we hasten to add) - which was at times excellent, wayward, aggressive, noisy and danger to the rafts (although not all at once).
Nobody is quite sure who won (we think it was the "E" crew of Megan, Frances, Emily and Aimee who beat the "C" crew of Ella, Iona, Georgina and Felicity in the final), as everybody got a medal for one reason or another, including the launch drivers. For many of the parents cheering the crews on, it was the first opportunity to see their daughters race. The next time it will be for real - at the Junior Regatta, so the experience will prove worthwhile.
The ergo team competition (2k per girl) was close but was won by the "C" Crew of Ella, Iona, George and Felicity in a time of 39 minutes 25 seconds. The "F" Crew,, consisting mostly of experienced girls drafted into make up the numbers, was faster but not allowed to win under rules made up on the spot.
Thanks are due to Maggi Bevan and Laura Lion for organising the event, the Rec Squad (for giving up their boats) and parents for helping manhandle the (very heavy) tub quads.
Ergo Competition results:
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
|
42.41 |
40.4 |
39.25 |
41.42 |
40.09 |
37.11 |
|
Chesca |
Rebecca |
Ella |
Hannah |
Megan |
Maddie/Carmel |
|
Katherine |
Beth |
Iona |
Emily |
Frances |
Lexy |
|
Henrietta |
Roxanne |
George |
Kate |
Emil |
Lizzy |
|
Grace |
Emma |
Felicity |
Gina |
AimeeB |
Iona | |
