Yare Cup, 22 September

Last Sunday Chris Jillings, John Churcher, Malcolm Pidd, Ian Parke and I all went to Norwich to compete in the Yare Cup. It was a bright, sunny day and great to row on the lovely stretch of river there (I even managed to avoid the willow trees this year!). After the racing, Yare welcomed all participants back to a BBQ at their clubhouse. Sadly all the pots seemed to go to Norwich RC or Yare on this occasion, but DRC hopefully enjoyed the racing nevertheless and got some good times:

Chris: 16.32, John: 18.32, Malcolm: 16.38, Anna & Ian: 15.33

DRC Members Break Records in Boston Marathon!

Sunday 16th September was the day of the annual Boston (Rowing) Marathon, which takes place on a 50km stretch of water, starting from Lincoln and finishing in Boston. This year there were over 200 crews, among them Anna & Ian (Mixed Novice 2x) and Tim and Simon (part of a composite Vet C. VIII).

Not only did we all complete this gruelling challenge, but both crews set new course records in their categories and Tim & Simon's crew was the fastest boat of the day!! Truly oarsome results - HURRAY for DRC!!!

Ian & I also rowed the course in our double last year, so this time we were both determined to get to the finish a bit sooner, even though we only decided to enter two weeks before the event. Ian sat in the stern, with the stopwatch, keeping an eye on how long it took us to get from one km marker to the next, while I battled to steer us round a few corners, past other crews, out of the way of launches, barges & cruisers, and also to keep in time. By the time we got to 13km, where everyone has to get their boat out of the water, over a steep embankment and down onto the other side of the lock gate, we knew we were ahead of our opposition. After this the course got very bendy for a few km, so there was always the possibility that they could have been sneaking up on us without us having noticed. Also from this point onwards, we had the pleasure of a good, strong headwind to make things a bit more challenging. Luckily with all our training on the Deben, we weren't fazed by the wind and waves (well, perhaps only a little) and I did my best to give a running commentary on which boats we were catching up to pass the time and take our minds off the pain; luckily there were quite a few doubles and singles ahead, as well as one junior girls quad who were merrily singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" down the course and a man in a single who was doing the marathon for the 40th time! There were also things to watch...like cows on the bank and cruisers creating nice big waves for us to row through. We had a very strong (or should that be loud?) on-shore support party (comprising of Ian's wife and her sister) whose shouts of "Give it some welly" and "Stop slacking" could be heard long before we could see them; they very kindly took these photos for us too. For most of the course there were markers for each km and once we got into the 40s it began to feel as if we might actually make it to the end afterall. At this point the course straightened out too and Ian told me we were managing to keep to 5mins per km and we started thinking of the remaining distance in relation to what it would have been on the Deben, such as Ramsholt to the clubhouse. It was only as we passed 48km and Ian told me that our time so far was 4hrs, 15mins that I suddenly realised that we might actually have a chance of beating the previous course record for our category...the tower of the church in Boston came into view next (I knew this was beyond the finish) and with more cheering from the bank to spurr us on, we even managed to overtake just one more crew seconds before crossing the line. Our official time was 4hrs 25mins - 20mins faster than our previous time, 3mins faster than the previous record, first in the mixed novice doubles on the day and faster than even some S2 and S4 crews. Ian says next time we have to try and break the 4hr mark...

Cambridge Autumn Regatta, 9 September

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the regatta on Sunday and thanks to Terry and all the parents who made sure that shouts of "Come on Deben" could be heard all along the course. Also, particular thanks to Malcolm for towing the trailer and steering it so well around the tight corners at the entrance to the regatta site (more than can be said for certain other clubs!).

More photos are in the gallery on the right of the blog & I have others to follow soon (when I have a chance to upload them). Also, there was at least one parent/photographer with a very snazzy camera, so it would be great it anyone could send me copies of their shots to add as well! For now here is a shot of Em & Clio in action in the women's J15 2x:

Em & Clio's race in the double was one of the closest of the day, with both boats running pretty much level up the course for pretty much a photo finish which sadly showed the other girls crossing the line just inches ahead.

Katherine and Vicki also had a great race in the final of the Women's Novice doubles category, taking the lead not long before the finish, but then having an unlucky incident with a crab, allowing the Weybridge opposition to clinch victory.

Malcolm and I competed in the Mixed Novice doubles and won our first two heats, only to be beaten by a couple of youngsters from Derby RC. Even more annoyingly, the guy in the Derby crew was the same chap that knocked Malcolm out of the Novice 1x heat!

Em, Clio, Kate & Vicki all put in great efforts in their singles heats (Clio made it through two and was narrowly beaten in the final) - luck just didn't seem to be with DRC on this occasion - and I'm sure it won't be long before I get to write about them winning races over the winter racing season..!

Maritime Woodbridge, 8 September

Last weekend was the second Maritime Woodbridge festival and this year we decided we should join in the fun. It was suggested that the tub IV should take to the water to accompany the Sutton Hoo replica, Sae Wyfling, as she rowed (?) up and down in front of crowds by the tidemill. Coxed by John, the crew of Anna M., Keith, Robbie and Will H. did their best to heave the boat along. We also invited the Mayor to join us so he could properly get into the spirit of things...it was a great compliment that he trusted us enough to wear his gold chain on-board!

Sae Wyfling...think we could teach her crew a thing or two about rowing - and people tell me I'm skying at the catch!

Row, row, row the mayor gently down the Deben...



"So Mr Mayor, about that new clubhouse..." (Just kidding!)

More photos will be available soon in the section on the right of the blog. Also, if anyone has pictures or comments of their own, I'll be happy to add them too if you send them to me.

Maritime Woodbridge & Cambridge Autumn Regatta

This weekend (8th & 9th Sept.) is a busy one for DRC with two important events taking place:

1) Maritime Woodbridge

This is an event in the town (well, by the river to be precise) which took place for the first time last year and attracted loads of extra visitors and boats to the Deben. This year DRC have been invited to take part and on Sat 8th we will be getting as many boats out on the water as possible to escort Sae Wyfling (Sutton Hoo replica ship) down the river. As well as our normal selection of doubles, singles etc, we hope to get one of the traditional IVs out so that we can provide a water-taxi service for the mayor (I just hope that gold chain won't be so heavy it sinks the boat...). Please be at the clubhouse by 10am if you can join in the fun. Don't forget to wear club colours too as this will be a fantastic opportunity to publicise our club.

For more information about Maritime Woodbridge, click here and for more details about how to take part in the club activities on the day, contact John Churcher who is co-ordinating events.

2) Cambridge Autumn Regatta

This is the last regatta of the year and I'm delighted to be part of an impressive DRC contingent who are planning to take the Cam by storm...
Details of the draw, course and event can be found here. Even if you're not taking part, we'd love to have your support from the bank.

WANTED - Cox for Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon (Sunday 16th September) is an annual event along a 50km stretch of river between Boston and Lincoln. Although gruelling, it is a great experience and attracts hundreds of crews of all ages, shapes and sizes from around the UK.

This year Tim E. and Simon N. are hoping to go the distance in a composite VIII and are looking for a cox. If you're small, light and would be happy to guide and encourage the crew along the course, the guys would love to hear from you...

See here for more info on the race: http://www.bostonrowingmarathon.org.uk/

Ian & I, as well as Roger & Alex all took part in last year's event and will be happy to tell you all about it.

Club Fun Day & BBQ

A report on the day's events from Will N:

"Thank you all who took part in yesterday’s fun day in the rain.

For those of you who could not join us, the rain showers eased off sufficiently whilst we were afloat, and the BBQ was eaten within the club house in the rain. This gave those who had not been afloat an opportunity to get damp as the rain slowly percolated through our roof. Perhaps the structure exists just to keep the wind out.

Those competing were allocated, unfairly as it turned out, into two teams; red and gold. All boats were marshalled at the green buoy and then raced back to Methersgate with wind and tide. Out on the water were pairs of yellow perils, double mondegos, ladies doubles, junior ladies singles, men’s doubles, men’s singles, veteran men’s singles. After the sprint race, all returned to the green buoy for the slog for home. Whilst the intent was to start the boats in the sequence of slowest first, with previous race winners penalised by a handicap of anywhere from 12-20 seconds, the sequence turned out to be when pairs were ready: Go. (maybe the marshal was not that comfortable in a single in the choppy conditions). The lack of clarification of the finish line also proved somewhat problematic to the umpire. Malcolm, with children Alexander and Katherine, willingly assumed this role and ably chaperoned the laggards back up the river, but were unable to clarify who had won the individual pairings. Was the finish line in front of the sailing club, or when the boat was on trestles?

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and I think we have a format for future years, whilst still having plenty of opportunity for improvisation and improvement.

With numbers increasing from 23 to 39 less than 24 hrs before the event, catering was a little bit more involved than had been hoped with additional run around purchasing required. However, after costs and on the assumption that those who signed up but did not turn up will still pay up, as a bonus we should have raised a tidy little sum for the club. For those who have not yet paid, £5 please to Nicola.

The key of the day was to have fun, and I don’t think the weather prevented us from doing that.

Thank you all.

W"

And, just a few words to add from me...I'd like to point out that the teams were perfectly fair, but the 'gold' team was simply inspired on the day by shouts of "Go Team Banana" from their captain. Also, apologies for limited selection of photos...combination of rain, lack of batteries and failure to switch on the flash - oops :-(

Thanks to everyone for taking part, helping out and bringing their families along!