Here is a copy of my report which was written for the AGM. I thought it would be good to publish it here as well so everyone can see what a busy year we've had!
My first thoughts when I realised that I was required to do a report on the past year were "what on earth am I going to say?"! I shouldn't have worried, however, as thinking back, DRC members have had a pretty busy year of racing. (If you've been out racing, but don't see any mention of it below, it'll be because you didn't tell me about it, so no complaints, please!)
The Carrow Cup last December was my first experience of putting in entries and gathering the troops, so it was fantastic to find that not only did we have a trailer-full of boats and a couple of people racing for the first time, but there was also a brilliant response to my (admittedly v. cheeky) suggestion that we should go as the Deben Nativity.
With their go-faster wings and tinsel, Oliver & Jane won the mixed novice double category, whilst Neil and Jamie Cawthorn also blasted to victory in the men's novice doubles. All in all it was going to be a tough act to follow...
After Christmas, there was hardly a moment to spare before thoughts turned to the Cambridge Winter League (a series of three races on the Cam - one in January, February and March). "So, I need to organise the entries, how hard can it be?" I thought and compiled a nice form for everyone to fill in and give back to me with their entry fees. What I hadn't taken into account was how quickly the spaces for the race get filled, or that one of our doubles would chopped in half during a storm, or that we might not be able to get to Cambridge in time for the Division 1 start time of 9am, or that some people would put in their own entries, and probably lots more besides! Anyway, with a little help from my friends, most problems got solved and nearly everyone got to do their desired races. For the first race in January we had 14 DRC boats competing and it really did feel fantastic to see so many of us there on the water and with parents cheering us on from the bank (or was that fishing their children out of the water?!). The entries tailed off a little for the next two races, but Ken and Roger were two members who stuck it out, even braving the early start to make boat sharing easier, and were rewarded by a win in the men's doubles category, so once more DRC brought home pots!
Next on the racing calendar was a special Junior Head in Cambridge, where Clio did what we all knew she soon would, and picked up prizes not only in the J13 and J14 categories, but also for her stylish steering! Hot on the heels of this Clio went on to come 8th (out of 80) in the Indoor Rowing Championships and was then selected to represent the Eastern Counties in the Junior Championships at Nottingham. Not at all bad for a young 'un.
Meanwhile, others in the club were taking part in the Deben Challenge. The conditions were tough to say the least and John C. and Nick R. clearly felt that simply rowing 22 miles in rough water and cold weather wasn't quite challenging enough (!). Many congratulations to the new sons & daughters of the Deben: Jane Gotts, Clio Aubugeau-Williams, Anna Morton, John Churcher, Nick Redman, Ian Parke, Oliver Tomlinson, Chris Jillings and also Will Notcutt who completed the challenge later in the year, even though it nearly cost him his fiancée (in fact, it's still a bit of a sore subject so perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it...).
Also in April, Tim raced in an VIII with Thames BC in the Vets Head, coming a very commendable 3rd (out of 25).
During May we were enjoying coaching from Michael Streat and the fact that lighter evenings meant there was more time for rowing (and catching up on gossip in the Cherry Tree afterwards). Simon H., David H., Michael and I also swapped sculls for trainers and took part in the Woodbridge 10km run.
In June Chris Jillings, Clio and Alex L. went to Peterborough Regatta and...you've guessed it, came back with more pots - hurray! Alex not only lost her novice status, but gained a senior point too and Clio won the J14 single sculls. Not to be out-done by the juniors, John Churcher showed he was prepared to lead by example when he won his event at the Isle of Ely Regatta.
July turned out to be a bit of a disappointing month when, after much hard training and frantic practising of race starts, St Neots Regatta was cancelled due to flooding. It was just as well that we had a club dinner and Sudbury Regatta to look forward to.
What with holidays etc. it can be hard to get crews together for summer regattas, but despite this, there was a good turnout of DRC members who wanted to go and strut their stuff in neighbouring Sudbury. The sun shone, the band played and Ken & Roger, Will & Nicola and Simon Newton made their presence felt on the water. Nicola did very well in her first regatta, Will not only towed the trailer, but also rowed the course countless times, successfully intimidating the opposition only to be unluckily beaten in his Novice 1x final. Simon's excellent steering (the reeds can wade out into the river to get in your way over there, I'm told) and stamina led him to victory in the Vet C 1x, so once more it was a proud day for the club.
After Sudbury, we could all relax a little and look forward to our club fun day and BBQ. Now, as we all know, the slightest whiff of a BBQ can bring out the rain clouds and this year was sadly no exception. There was a brief lull in the downpour that enabled us to get everyone out on the water, including a couple of members who'd only been in a boat once or twice before, in some craft or other. Malcolm, ably assisted by his children, waited in the launch at the finish line to record the race results, while the rest of us (split up into two teams) battled it out from the green buoy to Methersgate. After this, we indulged in a free-for-all race back home...only no-one was quite sure when to start or where the finish line was! Unfortunately by this time, the rain had started again in earnest and we were very glad of all the excellent BBQ food to warm us up as the rain dripped through the roof of the clubhouse. Despite the weather, I'm sure everyone would agree that it was a great day and very pleasing that people also felt able to bring along their friends and family.
September was a very busy month for the club and things kicked off with the Maritime Woodbridge weekend. It was decided that we should get as many boats on the water as possible, and also that the Mayor should be invited to come onboard in the tub IV as we provided an escort for the Sae Wyfling (replica Sutton Hoo ship). The tide was high, the sun shone and I was particularly pleased to see everyone wearing their bright red DRC kit. No sooner were we off the water, than it was time to start boat loading for Cambridge Autumn Regatta the following day.
The junior girls were out in force at Cambridge Autumn, with Clio, Em, Kate, Katherine and Vicki all racing in a combination of doubles and singles. There were some extremely close races and they were all unlucky not to come away with any wins. As the day wore on, the pressure turned to Malcolm and I as we made it through two heats and into the final. We took the lead at the start and were encouraged by our vociferous supporters on the bank, but at about half way the pressure got to us and the other crew started to pull ahead. Despite our best efforts to come back at them, we were unsuccessful and things were made worse by knowing that the guy in the other boat had been the one who knocked Malcolm out of the 1x heat as well! Nevertheless, it was a fun day and we were grateful for Terry's support on the bank, as well as for all the backup and cheering from parents and families - a nice end to the regatta season.
There's no rest for the wicked, however, and the next weekend four members of the club trekked up to Lincoln for the Boston (rowing) Marathon - a 50km race and not for the faint-hearted. Simon N. & Tim were part of a composite Vet C VIII and stole the show by being not only the fastest boat on the day, but also the fastest Vet crew ever! Ian & I were not to be outdone, though, and contented ourselves with winning our category and also setting a new course record for the Mixed Novice 2x - it took a long time coming, but it was a pretty exciting way to get my first sculling pot!
As the next weekend came around, my friends and family decided once and for all that I was certifiably mad as Ian & I decided to race again in the Yare Cup (a mere 3700m). Malcolm, John Churcher and Chris Jillings all raced as well, but on this occasion we had to content ourselves with enjoying the BBQ and sunshine afterwards instead of collecting pots.
The 6th October saw DRC members out racing once more with Chris J. & Clio out on the Thames in the Pairs Head and Terry, John C., Clio, Em and Kate going to the Cambridge Small Boats Head. Once more it was our Chairman's turn to steal the show as he won the Vet E category.
Phew. What a great year we've had - well done everyone!!!!
You can, of course, find out more about all of the above by looking back at the articles on our blog and by clicking on the photos section on the right-hand side of the blog.
I'm going to take this opportunity to wish everyone racing in the Norfolk Sculls this weekend "Good Luck" and also to flag up this year's Carrow Cup on December 15th - put it in your diaries and start planning your festive fancy dress!
Thanks for reading this far and giving me so many great events to write about - we can all look forward to DRC going onwards and upwards over the next year, I'm sure. Well done to everyone who's been out racing, and also thank you to the people who've made it all possible in so many different ways; whether it's training beginners, helping us on and off the water, towing the trailer or keeping me sane during boat loading, it's all been a team effort.
Anna Morton
Rowing Captain Nov. 2006-7
