New lightweight quad launched at DRC's Cambridge training day

DRC members were welcomed at the Clare College boathouse in Cambridge on Saturday, 13th March.

DRC and Clare College members

The morning session saw the launch of a brand new lightweight quad. Em, Hannah, Kate and Clio put the new boat through its paces under the watchful eye of coach, Chris Jillings.

Junior girls try out quad / Clare College BC

Over two sessions planned and organised by Chris, DRC personnel got experience of both sculling and rowing with Clare College very kindly providing coxes, additional coaches and equipment.

The afternoon session involved a DRC VIII taking to the Cam (and, by all accounts, not looking ragged even when Clio at stroke took the rating up!).

The day was both very instructive and fun, and the large number of juniors present got an idea of what college rowing has to offer.

The DRC/Clare composite VIII gets ready to go!

DRC is grateful to all Clare personnel involved and especially Dr Nigel Woodcock, the Fellow in charge of the boat club at Clare, for his role in organising it with DRC's Nick Redman, who rowed in Clare's colours when he was a student there some 30 years ago.

Thanks to Nick for providing the report above and to Bridget for that below! Photos by Steve and Chris

“Having spent 10 months moving up the rung from beginner to, dare I say, vaguely proficient novice sculler on the Deben – all in double and single sculls, it was absolutely fabulous to get the chance to sweep oar in a 4 and with dedicated coaching from the bank. Yes they really do cycle beside you along the Cam, shouting across the water… although one of those old conical shaped megaphones would have helped. Quite iconic.

It was brilliant feeling us all come together so quickly. We might even have achieved the stage of looking elegant and managed to impress the cox with a solid 30-stroke stretch of “excellent” rowing. I for one am now itching to get onto our beautiful Deben in a IV. Any takers?

Signing off with nicely sore muscles and new blisters :-)”

All smiles after their outing in the VIII!