Sudbury Regatta

Last Saturday Ken, Nicola, Roger, Simon N. and Will all competed in the regatta at Sudbury RC. Particular congratulations to Simon (pictured left), who won his event - hurray! - and has kindly put his journalistic talent to good use with the following report:

There's not many regattas where you can hear a brass band in your ear as you cross the finish line...but Sudbury is one of those events.

Busiest of us all was Will N. Not only did he kindly tow the trailer, he ended up sculling the course four times! After the umpires found Will guilty of employing the "deben shoulder barge" on his Lea oppo as they raced for home in Nov 1x, a re-row was agreed. However, fear of the Deben hillbillies was clearly growing and as Will waited at the start, his young oppo pulled out, leaving Will do an exhibition piece down the course. I'm not certain, but I believe the band were playing Rocky at this point...

Next up it was Mr Notcutt again, this time doubling with Nicola. It was a close race, with a few steering "moments" from both crews, W&N - like many - getting a little too familiar with the reeds as they passed the pillbox. Weybridge eventually pipped Will and Nicola to the post by 3/4 of a length.

As Will enjoyed a well earned rest, the honour of the DRC fell to Ken and Roger in the Vet C double. Rog had donned his purple shorts for the occasion and there was even sight of Ken stretching! The boys meant business.

Like all the DRC crews, Ken and Rog had the Suffolk side of the river. Although the start is staggered, it still means you have to take the long route around the bend. Their opponents, Broxbourne, had come in numbers and powered to a strong lead, eventually winning by four lengths.

Next it was my turn. Lack of numbers meant it was a straight - if rather odd - final, with me (Vet B) racing a guy from Maidenhead Invicta who was Vet C. The age difference meant he had a three second start from the stakeboat. He was so eager he false started before we eventually got away. He powered to the bend but as we entered the straight I managed to take him. Petrified of repeating last year's "oops there's the reeds" moment it felt like I was looking over my shoulder almost every stroke. Crossing the line three lengths up was a nice feeling.

Finally came Will's fourth outing of the day in the final of Nov 1x against a guy from Henley Boat Club. The long day probably told, as Will lost by four lengths but not without a spirited fight. I'm sure that Novice pot won't be far away. All in all a great day's racing in lovely weather. Reminded me why I do this mad sport! SN

Full results available on the Sudbury website: http://www.sudbury.rowing.org.uk/