We waited. And waited. And waited all week for Bedford Spring Small Boats Head to be cancelled, but no – the organisers were adamant that the Great Ouse would be rowable. And it was. Fast, quite high but perfectly safe, with all the usual low and narrow bridges intact and ready to be whacked by an unsuspecting blade.
The Club had a very successful day, racing from Division 2 at 10.30 through to Division 6 at 16.15 with some quick changeovers, one member even racing in three contiguous divisions in a 1x, a 2- and a 2x (sorry Zara…) Amongst our eight wins were Ruth Haigh who won twice, in her 1x and mixed 2x with partner Felix Rummel from Manchester University. Charlotte Hermsen and Phoebe Downs also enjoyed two wins, in their WJ15 2x and WJ15 4x+ with Lily Clayton, cox Nell Peters and first-time winner Daisy Coleman.
Most exciting of all was a first-ever win for our WJ14 girls in the their coxed quad, following on from their huge step-up at JSH two weeks ago. Well done to Alice Hull, Nell Bowden, Verity Goodall, Cecily Swinfen and Cecily Gauden, the first of may wins I am sure. There is a buzz about the whole J14 squad, ably coached by Henry White, and sure enough Will Andrews and Tom Fanstone also brought home gold in their 2x.
There were good wins in WJ17 2x for Zara Richardson and Niamh McAdden, who won together at Hampton before Christmas, and the J15 2x of James Evans and Fergus Caulfield.
A day to be proud of wearing the red and blue of Wallingford RC.
Wallingford Rowing Club 