NEW CLUB WEBSITE!

Deben rowing club now has an exciting new website:

www.debenrowingclub.co.uk

Please go to the new site for all of the latest information and news about the club.

6th Suffolk Indoor Rowing Championships, 2014

DRC is once more proud to host the Suffolk Indoor Rowing Champs.

When?  Saturday, 5th April 2014 at 10:30am

Where?  Deben Rowing Club, The River Wall, Woodbridge

Events on offer:
Junior events to British Rowing Gold Standard for Years 7-13
Men and Women’s events at Veteran (over 26, plus Handicap allowance) and Open – 2,000m

Overall 2k winning time (handicaps included) will be presented with the Burton Challenge Bowl

Entry fee: £5 for Adults, £2 for Juniors

For more information and bookings, please contact Neil Cawthorn: NSC@NCALegal.co.uk
01473 736 296

Proceeds to DRC

Katherine Grainger comes to Woodbridge

Catherine Larner reports on an inspirational evening, with thanks to Bridget Wijnberg, Lyn Gameson and Simon Robertson-Young for taking photographs.

Despite terrible weather conditions, an audience of 250 gathered at Woodbridge Community Hall on Friday 11 October to hear Olympic Gold champion rower Katherine Grainger speak about her autobiography ‘Dreams Do Come True’.

Britain’s most successful female rower – winning silver at three consecutive Olympic Games before gold at London 2012 – Katherine had driven 100 miles across country to be at the event, on the invitation of local independent bookshop, Browsers.

The community-minded shop had wanted to help raise funds for a new boat to cater for the growing female membership at the town’s rowing club, and Katherine was impressed with their ambition and made room in her formidable diary of engagements to be there.

The hall was bedecked in bunting and union jacks, and the audience broke into spontaneous applause as a video clip of Katherine’s winning race was played to open the evening. “It took us back to the moment,” said one member of the crowd which had travelled from Kent, Essex, Norwich, Cambridgeshire as well as all over Suffolk. “We were back there reliving London 2012 and all it meant to us.”

Katherine had rushed straight from her car onto stage, yet was relaxed, poised, articulate and entertaining as she told the story of her career in rowing, the Olympic ‘journey’ and her successful initiation into writing: her book has been included in the longlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.

Then, with a flourish, she revealed the new boat which was sitting on stage behind her. The Swift, Club A, lightweight double had been named the ‘Katherine Grainger’ in her honour, explained chairman of Deben Rowing Club, William Notcutt. It was paid for through funds raised from the evening and by the ladies section at the club and will be used exclusively by them.

The new boat will serve as a fitting reminder of the evening. Katherine’s humility, determination, hard work and application were an inspiration to all who heard her and the queue to have books signed stretched all around the room.

Katherine’s visit had been scheduled to last two hours, but as time moved on she refused to cut short any of the personal interactions. Family groups came forward and she engaged in conversations, finding out personal details before making an individual inscription in each book and then leaping out of her seat with her gold medal to pose for a photograph with her admirers.

Finally, with the audience gone, Katherine still did not rush away, insisting on thanking the organisers of the event and encouraging the ladies group at Deben Rowing Club in their endeavours on and off the water. She took delight in acknowledging the time and effort that had gone into every element of the evening, including sewing metres of red and yellow bunting and baking themed gold medal biscuits, and wanted to take away souvenirs for her friends.

 

Everyone meeting Katherine Grainger at Woodbridge Community Hall on a wet evening in October felt they had been in the presence of a true champion in sport and in life.

(This article will also appear in next month's 'Regatta' magazine.)

  

Olympic Medallist Katherine Grainger is coming to Woodbridge!

You may have read that Katherine Grainger, who won Olympic Gold in the women's double sculls at London 2012, has just published her autobiography, called Dreams Do Come True, which has achieved some great reviews.

In a rare public appearance to promote the book, she will be visiting Woodbridge on Friday 11 October.

Katherine was invited to the town by Browsers, our own independent bookshop which regularly runs events with high profile speakers and where DRC members Clio Aubugeau-Williams, Megan Stocker and Catherine Larner have all been part of the team.

Katherine was impressed by Browsers' commitment to her book and the shop's willingness to contribute to its local community by offering to donate proceeds from the event to the town's rowing club. This money will be used to purchase a new boat for the growing female membership.

Katherine will be speaking about her experiences rowing, her dedication and commitment in training, her achievements and disappointments in collecting numerous medals before finally winning a long overdue Olympic Gold at London 2012.

The event is taking place at Woodbridge Community Hall on Friday 11 October at 6.30pm.

Tickets: £6 each and are only available in advance from Browsers Bookshop, 60 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AL. Tel 01394 388890.

Katherine's book, Dreams Do Come True, is also available from Browsers at the special price of £16.

Please support Browsers in this very generous contribution to DRC, urge your family and friends to spread the news about Katherine's visit, buy tickets and copies of her book (from Browsers), and let's make this event a huge success!

Peterborough Regatta, 1-2 June 2013

Julian Haywood Smith reports:

That winning feeling!

A full weekend racing at Peterborough was brought to a perfect end late on Sunday afternoon, with Spencer and Kyle winning their Novice 2x entry and Emilie racking up the points with a second win in two days in her IM2 single.

The squad had further success with 2nd places in their singles finals to Megan, Chris and Olivia, Liv missing out on a win by only 0.3s, and Chris by only 0.6s Revenge is being plotted!

The camping was dry but cold, accompanied by 'entertainment' from a boisterous crew from De Montford, and the curious incident of tent peg removal in the middle of the night.

Full results have yet to be posted, but will be available from this link.
www . peterboroughcityrowing . co . uk/events/index . php

We hope to see lots more Deben Racers at Bedford on 14 July, with another chance for camping antics on the 27 and 28 July at St Neots (see poster attached).

Huge thanks to Chris Jillings for his incredibly efficient organisation, enabling crews to relax, safe in the knowledge of exact warm-up, boating and start times, that can only be brought by personalised and laminated race cards. Chris and Megan even managed to compete in different events only 15 minutes apart, sprinting from finish line to boating section encouraged by the camp followers holding bottles and blades at the ready across the lake.

Head of the Cam

 Julian Haywood-Smith reports below - many congratulations to you all!

 2,600m course, in changeable and cool weather, with a difficult cross wind at the start.

A much quieter event than expected, with fewer entries than last year.

This meant some number juggling by the organisers caused a bit of confusion, but the cool headed Deben Racers showed their tremendous form, particularly in the single sculls.

Races of the day were by Dylan in his first single race ever, and by Katy, achieving a win in her first single race as well. This was despite the determined efforts of a Leys school boy determined not to let yet another Deben girl fly past him.

The following wins were recorded:-

J16 1x Dylan Ward (3 entries) 12 mins 10 secs (First time ever race in a single)
J18 1x Chris Game (3 entries) 11 mins 02 secs (a full 1 minute and 14 seconds ahead of 2nd place)
WJ16 1x Katy Wilkinson-Feller (4 entries) 13 mins 06 secs (First time ever race in a single)
WNov 1x Izzy Lelijveld (3 entries) 13 mins 03 secs (improving her earlier division time by 16 seconds)
WJ15 1x Olivia Haywood Smith (3 entries) 13 mins 07 secs (first win in a single and a whole two minutes ahead of 2nd place)
The quad looked the business, but left their watches behind. First time we have seen a strict enforcement of the Green Dragon bridge rule.

In the J18 2x category, Kyle Eadie doubled up with Dylan (10.56) & Chris (10.23) recording the two fastest times amongst the Racers, but sadly, with insufficient entries to bring home a pot.

Katy & Olivia brought their WJ16 2x home with a time of 12.20, but again, had no competition.

The 3rd fastest time of the day amongst the Racers, were Emilie and Spencer Wix in their mixed double, recording a time of 10m 59 secs - faster than many college VIII boats, but with no competition, this was scant consolation.

Thanks go to coaches Chris Jillings and James Parkinson, for getting the singles in such great condition at an early stage of the season. Next event to look forward to is the Peterborough Regatta on 1st and 2nd June.

Norwich Head - short and long courses

Saturday, 2nd March 2013 (all day)

Location: Norwich Rowing Club, Whitlingham Boathouses, Trowse, Norwich NR14 8TR

Click on the link below for the poster for this event with all details.
Cost per seat is £10.
 
James's Junior Doubles/Quads are attending, with the boats then being trailered down to Cambridge for the final Winter league event. We will co-ordinate other entries as required - please talk to your coaches now so we don't miss the entry deadline of 25th Feb.

Norwich Head March 2013.pdf

See also the group space for racers: http://groupspaces.com/debenracer/

Cambridge Winter League (Jan.)

Race report and results from the first stage of the Winter League, thanks to Julian Haywood Smith:

The highlight was the impromptu regatta race between the WJ18 4x, and the Chris/Kyle double, tearing down the river to the finish bow to bow, with a Cantab Ladies VIII shouting for the Deben Girls, whilst being overtaken on both sides.

The Masters D4+ crew excelled themselves overhauling 'The Happy Rowers' and, most incredibly, scored an identical time as the Masters E4+ boat.  A case of honours even, but surely the gloves have to come off now...

Astonishingly, there was another dead heat between Chris in his single and the girls' quad...

Well done to the J18 4x, coming 14th overall out of the 204 entries in the 4 divisions ... big ask to improve that performance over the next 2 months.

And finally, a mention for the WJ15 4x girls in their first competitive event, for finishing the race without undue mishap.  A personal best for them all.  Great to see so many happy relieved faces at the end, and I'm not just talking about the parents.

 
Fastest Time 9m 18s posted by Cantabs IM3 8

Deben Racers Times

J18 4X		10:38	14
J18 2X	Game/Eadie	11:48	42
IM3 2X	Wix/Wix	12:01	48=
WJ18 4X		12:17	66=
J18 1X	Game	12:17	66=
J18 2X	Williams/Ward	12:21	73=
Nov 1X	Wix	12:43	102=
WJ18 2X	Stocker/Feller	12:57	116=
Mas E 4+		13:08	126=
Mas D 4+		13:08	126=
WJ18 2X	Stockton/Haywood-Smith	13:24	137
WJ15 4X		14:11	164

 

Suffolk Indoor Rowing Champs, 2013

Deben Rowing Club are proud to host:

The Fifth

Suffolk Indoor Rowing Championships

March 23rd (Saturday)

10.30am

 

Deben Rowing Club Boathouse

Woodbridge, Suffolk

                

Juniors events to British Rowing levels

Mens and womens events at Veteran and Open

over  2000m and Gold Standard for Juniors

£5 for Adults

£2 for Juniors

Proceeds to DRC

For more information and bookings, please contact Neil Cawthorn:

 NSC@NCALegal.co.uk

01473 363 162

Cambridge Head, 17th November 2012

Both the boys and girls Junior quads were entered in for the Cambridge Winter Head with some trepidation on Saturday.

On the previous occasion, on their first attempt in the Cambridge Autumn regatta, the boys made a slight detour via the bank, and the girls hadn't raced together before at all... There was also the fact that they were racing at WJ18 and J18 level, with four of the crew being underage.

We needn't have worried, however. Both came back in high spirits, with a win in their respective events, beating several Cambridge based and University crews into the bargain.

The trophies will be sent on to them shortly... A classy hip flask each apparently. Congratulations to them all, as well as coach James, who is as pleased as the fruit punch they will put in the flasks!

We also had the company of the early bird Senior IV, in their first outing, who came a creditable third in their class.  It needn't be mentioned how many entries there were, surely.

WJ18  4x  Megan, Katy, Olivia & Izzy

J18  4x  Chris, Simon, Dylan & Kyle

Report from: Julian Haywood Smith

Norfolk Sculls Results

Congratulations to all 9 Deben Racers who took part in this event, on a beautiful stretch of the river Yare in Norwich. The trailer took a full capacity 9 boats to the race, sadly 2 were unused as Spencer and Megan both succumbed to a nasty bug the day before.

The honours went to Katy and Olivia in winning their first pot in the Novice category in the Short Course, and only the second time they have raced together. They beat 5 other crews from Norwich, Beccles and Ely in the process. 

Simon came very close to winning his Novice 1x category, in his first ever race in a single, coming equal second, only 9 seconds behind the winning Beccles rower who was familiar with the river.

Chris and Kyle came 1st and 2nd respectively in their singles, but were the only two entrants, so could not claim a pot.

Izzy came 2nd in her singles event, and the Junior double of Chris and Kyle showed the very experienced Senior double, Michael and Neil, how speedy they have become since they were paired together only last Summer, coming 2nd in their event to a very classy Norwich double.

(Full report, as well as other essential information for racers can be found on the DRC racing GroupSpace - click here)

Julian Haywood Smith (Juniors Secretary)

Circuits are back!

This year Nick Redman and John Cross have organised the sessions which are to take place at:

Farlingaye School on Wednesday evenings starting on 7 November

Never done circuits before? Don't be put off by thinking they are too hard, or that you're not fit enough - everyone can do as much or as little as they feel able!

Most sessions will be in the gym (though during school exams we will be moved into the fitness suite). Please ask around the club if you are new to circuits and not sure where to find the gym.

As before, the plan is to assemble in the gym around 6:30pm. Those who wish can go out for a run.  Others must warm up in the gym. 

Attendance will cost £20 per half term (or £3 per session).

The sessions will focus mostly on moving body weight, though for the heroic ones small weights will be available. After a warm down in the gym, sessions will close at 8:00pm.

Doing regular land training will pay dividends when we get on the river.  Nick and John ask that you bring appropriate music to encourage us during the sessions.

Forthcoming Socials

Have fun and support the club by attending and offering to help with the forthcoming social events and contact Sue Stockton for more information:

·        2^nd December: stall at the Christmas Market in the Thoroughfair, Woodbridge, for selling Deben calendars

·        14^th December: Club Party with licenced Bar.  Please see poster in clubhouse for more details

·        29^th December: post-rowing Mince Pies and Mulled Wine at the clubhouse

·        January : video night aimed at the juniors - aimed at a night to fit in around exams and 18^th parties)

·        February: pub night - To be arranged, half term looks good!

·        March: Fish and Chip Quiz Supper

Greg Searle Event Cancelled

Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Greg has had to cancel his visit to Woodbridge and sends his apologies

Club Racing Update

From Mike Fisher, racing captain:

This is a DRC racing update, aimed at making sure everyone knows where DRC is planning to compete over the next few months. I hope this will encourage more people to get involved in racing – maybe sharing organisation/boat transport and providing support from the bank.

As we move into Autumn, there are several opportunities for racing, not too far away. Whether you are an experienced competitor or not – junior, senior or masters – if you can cope with conditions on the Deben, there's no reason not to give it a try.

Head races, against the clock over longer distances, give everyone the chance of a good outing in new surroundings and to see how they measure up against similar crews from other clubs. Ideal for gaining experience and fitness over the winter!

A full list of races in the Eastern Region for September–November is available from the calendar at www.britishrowing.org which has lots of information on events and racing in general.

So far, crews from DRC have entered, or are planning to enter:
9 Sept.  Cambridge Autumn Regatta (Junior quad, 3 Junior doubles, 4 Junior singles, 1 Women's single)
29 Sept.  Yare Cup (Juniors, events tbc)
3 Nov.  Norfolk Sculls (Neil Cawthorn and Michael Streat)
   
There are also two coxed fours (sweep) with ambitions to do the Cambridge Winter League, at least.

Please let me know if I've missed anyone with plans already and I'll include in the next update, or sooner if I know of people interested in joining an event.
If you're interested in getting involved in competing for DRC, please get in touch. I'm sure there will be no shortage of advice and encouragement from other members of the club.

Mike

Row for Gold Update

 Hello,

Like many other rowing clubs around the country, DRC has recently witnessed a huge wave of interest in the sport stemming from the Olympics. We have had over 60 enquiries and more than 30 people have already completed taster sessions.

This is wonderful!! We are still keen to hear from more potential new members, and to do our bit in helping to deliver the 'Olympic legacy'  to the next generation of sportsmen and women.

That said, we are a small club and the influx of new members presents its own unique challenges for us. Therefore, we will now be operating a waiting list system and everyone interested in having a go should contact William (07771 664463) in order to register their interest. Places for taster sessions and Learn to Row courses will then be allocated on a first come, first served basis according to the order on the waiting list. The club rows and trains throughout the year, so there is no disadvantage in attending a taster course later this year.

We look forward to seeing you at the club soon!

You too can be an Olympic Rower!

Following on from the phenomenal success of Team GB at Eton Dorney, Deben Rowing Club is enjoying a tremendous surge in enquiries from potential members looking to join the club and learn to row. In order to accommodate all those who would like to find out more about this great sport, special taster sessions are being arranged to introduce the club to prospective members.

Please contact William Notcutt on 07771 664463 for more details.

These taster sessions cost £10 and have about an hour’s duration. During this session you will cover some basics on the use of indoor rowing machines, the rowing stroke and (weather permitting) get afloat in a stable training boat.

If you're still keen after that, the formal 'Learn to Row' course costs £80 and last for 8 sessions of about 2 hours duration.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Deben Radio Pageant Show

Catherine Larner rounded up some of those who took part in the Thames Jubilee Pageant to put together a series of interviews about their experiences. To listen, please click here.

DRC at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant

On 3rd June 2012, two coxed Explore quads from Deben Rowing Club had the pleasure of taking part in the Thames Pageant to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Adding a mast

The preparations for the Pageant took some weeks -  firstly putting in the application, then selecting the crews and thinking about the positions we should all row in, working through lots of paperwork, not to mention what kit we should wear and how we should decorate our boats for the big event. Mark and Terry soon stepped to the fore with the suggestion that masts could be attached to each boat. From these we could then proudly fly our Pageant Pennant, as well as our fantastic DRC bunting (thank you Mrs Cooper!).

Most of us travelled down on Saturday, and our boats were dropped off at Thames RC in Putney, our boating point. Some camped in Chiswick overnight, while others stayed with friends or in hotels. As the rain poured down in the evening, we all hoped the weather would improve the following day.

Both DRC crews and coxes

Alas, Sunday morning also dawned grey and chilly, but down on the river bank in Putney there was still a great sense of excitement in the air. All of the participating boats had to be checked by the scrutineers, and then we had to put our masts, bunting and pennants up, as well as stowing away extra layers and emergency rations to last us through five or more hours on the water. Next to us, a women's crew from Henley were even putting together some flower arrangements to go on the bows of their boat - I hope the Queen appreciated them!

Boating at Putney

The river frontage was packed with spectators, rowers, dragon boats, press and even Boris Johnson was there being interviewed. Finally after hours of waiting, we were able to launch Deben Explorer and Pageant Explorer and head off with all of the other man-powered boats to our mustering point near Wandsworth bridge.

We had to wait for about an hour as the other boats in our 'squadron' also congregated, and as we waited for The Queen and other royals to board Spirit of Chartwell. This was our chance to chat to the other rowers, take some photos, have a snack and give a wave to those on the banks. At 2.15pm, with a whistle and a large puff of steam, the Princess Elizabeth engine started the proceedings and a great cheer rose up. We manned our oars and started to row up to just beyond Albert Bridge where The Queen was waiting, with the floating belfry and the royal barge, Glorianna, leading the way. There was an atmosphere of eager anticipation as we all rowed and paddled along trying to keep to the speed limit of 4 knots staying with the other Explore boats. It was amazing to be among such a variety of different vessels and there was a real buzz amongst us, with the steady beats of the drums on the dragon boats coming up behind us only adding to the excitement.

Glorianna

 Soon we drew up level with Spirit of Chartwell on the opposite side of the river. Unfortunately there was too much of a gap between us and the front for us to hear the call of "toss your oars", but we certainly heard the cheers that followed. I contented myself with giving the Queen a big smile, even though she was too far away to have been able to see it!

Terry, Pete, Regine, Megan and Malcolm

Until this point, all of the boats had tried to stick to the original formation, but as we started to pull away again and went through points where the river narrowed or under the smaller bridges, things became increasingly chaotic. A good humour was maintained by all, however, and Terry and Catherine did a wonderful job of guiding us along despite the fact that they could often barely be heard above the noise of the crowds on the banks and the horns and drums calling to each other from the boats on the river.

There was a real sense among all of the boats that we were part of something special, and passing by many of the famous sites of London did nothing to dispel that feeling. It's not everyday that you get to row almost underneath the London Eye, through Westminster, along the Southbank, past Tate Modern and St Paul's Cathedral, through the central arch of Tower Bridge and practically under the bows of HMS Belfast - I enjoyed every minute of it. There were always so many things to look at both on and off the river, as well as the vast crowds of people watching and holding parties on their balconies, that there was never a moment to feel tired or think about aching muscles.

Catherine, Mark, Niall, Anna and Will

The official finish of the Pageant was at Tower Bridge, but we still had another couple of miles to row until we got to London Yard where we could disembark. As we rowed past the beautiful ships in the 'Avenue of Sails', the weather took a turn for the worse and the rain started to pour down. Either Mark had his eye on his dry clothes and a cup of tea, or he was determined to beat the other DRC crew back, but suddenly I felt the pace being lifted above the genteel 4 knots that we had been doing previously. As the river widened and the rain poured, so the waves suddenly seemed choppier and there was little comfort to be gleaned from the sight of the top of Canary Wharf disappearing into the cloud.

Still, row on we must, and row on we did, drawing solace from the fact that we were getting closer to Glorianna and the floating belfry. There will still sights to be seen - the Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum in Greenwich - and perhaps most movingly, there were still people cheering us on, even though there was not much to see. If those on the banks huddled under their umbrellas felt there was still something to cheer about, then we must all have done our bit to make a truly special occasion come to life.

One DRC crew can be seen in the foreground 
of this image from The Telegraph

Thank you to everyone who made it happen.

Text: Anna Morton

Photos: Anna Morton, Neil Emms, Simon Stocker and The Telegraph.

See also:

The Thames Jubilee Pageant

British Rowing

Iplayer footage

Walton Small Boats

I'm afraid this post should have been added in some time ago, but I must have had computer problems, so it got saved as a draft - sorry Emilie and Spence!

Chris Jillings reports:

Hot on the heels of scooping her amazing national title at the Scullers Head, Emile collected her second win in as many weeks at the prestigious Walton Small Boats' Head just a little further up the Thames from her previous victory. Emilie and Spence both raced twice on the day, with Spence improving the most from the previous week, beating half the field at IM3 and finishing close to the top of the Novice scullers. Emilie was 4th W Novice but won the Masters Novice handicap event by some considerable margin after battling with a Women's IM3 down the entire 3k course, eventually squeezing past and inching away to a three length lead in the last 1000m. Her time would have also won W IM3 as well. Conditions on the day were near perfect, not too cold but with a gentle tail breeze for most of the course and only little bumpy water in the normally difficult home straight.