Junior Inter-Regional Reggatta 2007

Clio did fantastically well in the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta (JIRR) on Saturday, achieving a great result against competitors who were a year older than her. I'm sure you're all as proud of our young star as I am!!

Here is a report from Chris Jillings, who went along to watch:

"Congratulations to Clio who was selected to represent the Eastern Region in Single Sculls at the JIRR at Holme Pierrepoint last Saturday. She performed really well over a long 1500 metre head-wind course, coming a very close 7th from 10 competitors in the Junior 14 event, and contributed 12 points to help Eastern to third place overall from 11 different regional teams.

Clio's first race on a full-sized multi-lane course was a hard fought battle in the first heat which included all the eventual medal winners. From an unlucky draw in lane 1, Clio got away superbly, holding on to the leading charge, and after the first 500m you could draw a line across the bow-balls of the first 5 boats.

Clio held on well to her opponent in lane 2 during the middle sector, but the move was unfolding on the far side of the course in lanes 5 and 6. The eventual Gold medallist moved out from half distance over in lane 5, taking lane 6 with her, and despite some tactical pushes, Clio just began to lose her adjacent competitor during the last 500m, missing the A Final by just 4 seconds.

In the B Final (pictured above) Clio had the centre lane and with a previous time some 20 seconds better than any of her rivals adopted sprint tactics, dominating the race from the first stroke. She looked a different class, paddling in some eight lengths ahead to cap a commendable first appearance on the National Junior stage."

Chris Jillings

See also comment from Michael on the previous post.

And one final thing - Doesn't the DRC kit look good!! I know I may have been heard muttering the odd not so positive comment about it in the past, but looking at these pictures, it really stands out from the crowd. I look forward to seeing a lot more bright red and yellow taking the lead in the regattas over the summer!!

Coaching & Junior Inter-Regional Regatta

It was really good to see lots of scullers out over the weekend making the most of the wonderful weather and coaching expertise from Michael (see calendar below for the date of the next session).

Will N. took advantage of the sunshine and calm waters to row the length of the river twice - I'm sure all the other Sons & Daughters of the Deben will join me in welcoming him into the "family"!! As this is becoming more and more "popular" (or perhaps infamous), I've been thinking perhaps we should have some kind of "honnours board" in the boathouse that we could put the names, dates and times on to keep a record of all the people who become Ss & Ds...what d'you think?

Saturday 21st April is the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta at Holme Pierrepoint in Nottingham. As many of you will know, Clio will be there racing in the J13 1x category and I'm sure she'll do DRC proud!!

Committee Meeting & Vets Head

The next club committee meeting will take place on Tuesday 17 April.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to remind you of who the committee members are, and also the fact that if there are any issues that you would like us to discuss at the meetings, you should feel free to approach any of us to raise them on your behalf.

Chairman - John Churcher

Vice-chairman - Terry Davey
Hon. Treasurer - David Petley
Hon. Vice-treasurer - David Neal
Secretary - Anna Hedington
Rowing Captain - Anna Morton
Junior Rowing Captains - Will Mills and Will Harris
Membership Secretary - Ken Anderson
Social Secretary - Jane Gotts
Safety Advisor - David Hodgkinson
Ordinary members - Ian Parke, Roger Jarrett, Simon Hale

I am also pleased to report that Tim Earnshaw represented DRC in the Vets Head rowing with Thames [Vet C]. The crew came an impressive 3rd out of 25 - hurray!

The Boat Race

The 153rd Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race will take place on April 7th at 4.30pm.

Thanks to Oliver, The Cherry Tree (Woodbridge) has agreed to show the race on their big screen, and what better way to watch the race and cheer on Cambridge then with your fellow Deben Rowers and a perhaps a drink (or two). If you'd like to join us, please meet in the Cherry Tree from 4.00pm.

Hope to see you there!

JG

Deben Challenge & Junior Success

John, Clio, Anna, Oliver, Chris, Jane, Will, Ian, Nicola, Nick
at the start of the Deben Challenge

Pictured above are the members who took part in the Deben Challenge on Saturday. The conditions were very windy and choppy, so it was a real test of endurance. Congratulations to Clio, Chris, Ian, Jane, John, Nick and Oliver who are all now Sons and Daughters of the Deben. Well done also to Nicola and Will, who completed over half of the course - no mean feat in those conditions. Thanks also to Terry for all of his help.

As many of you may know, things became rather too eventful just after John and Nick crossed the finish line, and we are extremely grateful to the harbourmaster, coastguard and ambulance crew for their help in the rescue and for taking care of them afterwards. John and Nick - we are so glad to hear you had recovered sufficiently to enjoy Dr Who on Saturday evening and look forward to seeing you at the club very soon!

I also have more great news to report about Clio, who came 8th (out of 80 in her year) at the indoor rowing championships last week, and has also been selected to represent the Eastern Counties in the junior championships in Nottingham on 21st April. This is clearly a fantastic achievement and I can't wait to hear how she gets on..."Go get `em", Clio!!

AM