Norfolk Long Distance Sculls, Saturday, Dec 17th, 2007

Gruelling, cold and bordering on madness....and that was just loading the boats at 6.30am! The car heaters were on level 4 as the Deben flotilla (well mini-flotilla) headed north last Saturday for this year's Long Distance Sculls - 4,400m of hell on the River Yare. In the first division, myself (Vet B 1x); Tim Earnshaw (Vet C 1x); and Roger and his son Andy (Nov 2x) flew the red and yellow flag (well I would if my one piece had arrived in time..).
Jarrett and son came a respectable 2nd out of five novice doubles finishing the course in 19:36. Great effort, particularly as this was only Andy's second race. Tim E was in among a very competitive field of Vet C boats including many on home water. Tim finished the course in 19:15, placing him 4th from six boats. Again very respectable as this race is as much about the course you steer as boat speed. I was one of three Vet B boats and managed to overtake one half way down the course. I did have the advantage of knowing the river (I used to be a member of NRC) so that helped and I was surprised to find I was the fastest boat, finishing in 19:06. All this marathon training I think. That or the nandrolone.
As a point of interest, the fastest sculler of the day was a (lightweight) chap from Sudbury who finished the course in 17:15! A friend of mine from NRC said he was happily chugging along at 29 spm when this guy went past at 34. Something to aim for next time you're battling the waves at Waldringfield. Or maybe not.
The second division is a shorter 2,500m and is downstream. Clio and Em were entered in the W Nov 1x, with Clio continuing her zippy turn of pace, clinching another DRC victory with a time of 11:56. Em was also on great form and continues to improve, racing home in 13:00. Plenty of good form to build on. Thanks to Terry for coming along and supporting our young members. DRC's very own Obi-Wan Kenobi once again urging us all to "feel the force"..(All we need now is a member called Luke).
Finally Tim and I entered the last long division as Vet C 2x. We'd only been out twice but to blow our own trumpet we fared pretty well....until we got boxed in by a combination of my inept steering and an oncoming gin palace which brought us, temporarily, to an abrupt stop. We claim it lost us about four minutes...but we may be slightly mistaken.
Overall a great performance from DRC - two pots from five status events isn't a bad tally. Bring on the Carrow Cup. They won't know what hit 'em! Simon.