Year 10 Rowing Club First Regatta

Last Sunday, Headteacher Mr Smith accompanied our Junior (Under 15) Rowing Team to participate in its very first Regatta, held at the prestigious Eton Dorney Lake, a purpose-built rowing lake and meetings & events venue that is situated close to Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. The lake –which was used in the 2012 Olympics – is privately owned and financed by Eton College. 

Rowing is a relatively new sport to Southborough. At the beginning of this academic year, our Year 10 students were encouraged to volunteer to take part in regular weekly training with Kingston Rowing Club on the River Thames. Come (frequent) rain or (less frequent) shine, the boys were expected to part in what was often physically demanding training in not always pleasant weather conditions. Showing absolute commitment and resilience, the boys stuck with it, learning vital skills on and off the water, and learnt to really enjoy the sport!

Fast-forward nine months and the team found themselves meeting up at 6am last Sunday morning to travel to Eton Dorney Lake and take part in the ‘Ball Cup Regatta 2024’, an event designed specifically for smaller clubs to participate in.

We had two teams or ‘crews’ taking part (Team ‘A’ and Team ‘B’) in a ‘heat’ where they competed against four further crews from other clubs. The students rowed in quad sculls (i.e. with an oar in both hands) and each had a Cox to steer/captain the crew. Crew A got through the initial ‘heat’ and found themselves battling in the second heat against crews with greater experience.

The course was 750 metres long and the boys gave it their all, overtaking two of the more experienced crews to come 4th place in the competition, narrowly missing out on a medal. A fantastic result for such beginners!!!!

Two of our crew  -Ben B and Rodrigo MC  - also took part in a coxless double where they came a respectable tenth out of fifteen, beating a number of teams from private schools.

We feel incredibly proud of all our Year 10 rowers - who have really shown what mettle they are made of - and congratulate them all:

‘A’ Crew

Cox: Ethan W, Stroke: Ben B 3: Rodrigo MC, 2: Sinan E, Bow: Thomas E B

 ‘B’ Crew

Cox: Dusan J: Stroke: Tymon W,  3: Faruk K,  2: Logan L,  Bow: Gideon C

Double Scull:

Stroke: Rodrigo MC, Bow: Ben B

We’d also like to say a very big thank you to Mr Smith for organising and facilitating the rowing club month in, month out and to Kingston Rowing Club, whose training and support at their club each week allowed our boys to develop and grow their rowing skills.