The Rowing Thread!
Discussion
Took part in my first regatta last weekend at Ironbridge in the 4+ 
We won our first heat then narrowly lost the semi-final. Not sure if the final race happened though as the regatta was abandoned later due to the river level rapidly increasing through the day and problems caused by the fast stream. Good experience though
We won our first heat then narrowly lost the semi-final. Not sure if the final race happened though as the regatta was abandoned later due to the river level rapidly increasing through the day and problems caused by the fast stream. Good experience though 
AstonZagato said:
lankybob said:
Is Henley as good as the hype makes it out to be?
It is the Wimbledon of rowing. Some of the greatest crews in the world competing next to an Edwardian garden party - but a garden party stuffed with some of the best oarsmen and women to have ever sat in a boat. Zod said:
Derek Chevalier said:
AstonZagato said:
Not rowing but spectating. Now finding it is my mate's children competing.
We got knocked out this morning - only lost my novice status last month so has been an amazing/exhausting experience. Might stick to the spectating next year!You should stick at it. A bloke I started rowing with after Cambridge (he was a novice) went for a year to Cambridge a couple of years later as a grad and won the Brit.
lankybob said:
Is Henley as good as the hype makes it out to be?
It's pretty special. For example, on Thursday morning, we lined up to start our race at 9am and as we approached the start line the other crew had an issue with one of their oars. The umpire suggested we rerow at the end of the day but I had to plead for another time as I had to get to work (I have just started a new job, and wasn't expecting to get past Wednesday!) - the umpire was Sir Steve Redgrave! Anyway, the race was rescheduled for just before lunch, so we had two lots of nerves to go through. It is quite quiet at the start, the umpire explains how he is going to start the race (on Wednesday I started my first stroke on his practice instructions I was that nervous) and after about 10 seconds we were away. The other crew got into a half length lead, and this continued until the 3/4 mile post (at which point I was desperate to end the pain!). We were rating at around 34 to their 37, and I saw out of the corner of my eye more and more of their crew come into sight. As we started to come towards the enclosures, I heard lots of people screaming for our crew, and it made me dig just that little bit deeper while attempting to maintain best technique. I was really, really hurting at this point, but fortunately I was not familiar with the course, so didn't know how much longer was left (the enclosures seemed to drag on for ages). At last, we heard the beep - we had won by a length!
Derek Chevalier said:
We got knocked out this morning - only lost my novice status last month so has been an amazing/exhausting experience. Might stick to the spectating next year!
Fantastic achievement, explains your times on the 2k erg thread!We only ever got to Thursday, but winning one race at Henley was one of the best things I did in my relatively short time rowing.
lankybob said:
Knocked 4 seconds off my average split for 30 mins today. Quite happy with that, I did the last one in late September.
Soar head next week, looking forward to that!
What are you guys up to these days?
Did my first race for 23 years at the weekend ... I was truly dire ... Soar head next week, looking forward to that!
What are you guys up to these days?
I did enjoy it though and it is the Scullers Head next month.
Zod said:
louiebaby said:
lankybob said:
Knocked 4 seconds off my average split for 30 mins today.
$ secs off the AVERAGE is immense! Well done! 
Tertius, How did it go?
Derek Chevalier said:
It's pretty special. For example, on Thursday morning, we lined up to start our race at 9am and as we approached the start line the other crew had an issue with one of their oars. The umpire suggested we rerow at the end of the day but I had to plead for another time as I had to get to work (I have just started a new job, and wasn't expecting to get past Wednesday!) - the umpire was Sir Steve Redgrave!
Anyway, the race was rescheduled for just before lunch, so we had two lots of nerves to go through. It is quite quiet at the start, the umpire explains how he is going to start the race (on Wednesday I started my first stroke on his practice instructions I was that nervous) and after about 10 seconds we were away. The other crew got into a half length lead, and this continued until the 3/4 mile post (at which point I was desperate to end the pain!). We were rating at around 34 to their 37, and I saw out of the corner of my eye more and more of their crew come into sight. As we started to come towards the enclosures, I heard lots of people screaming for our crew, and it made me dig just that little bit deeper while attempting to maintain best technique. I was really, really hurting at this point, but fortunately I was not familiar with the course, so didn't know how much longer was left (the enclosures seemed to drag on for ages). At last, we heard the beep - we had won by a length!
Just reading this Derek sent a chill down my spine.Anyway, the race was rescheduled for just before lunch, so we had two lots of nerves to go through. It is quite quiet at the start, the umpire explains how he is going to start the race (on Wednesday I started my first stroke on his practice instructions I was that nervous) and after about 10 seconds we were away. The other crew got into a half length lead, and this continued until the 3/4 mile post (at which point I was desperate to end the pain!). We were rating at around 34 to their 37, and I saw out of the corner of my eye more and more of their crew come into sight. As we started to come towards the enclosures, I heard lots of people screaming for our crew, and it made me dig just that little bit deeper while attempting to maintain best technique. I was really, really hurting at this point, but fortunately I was not familiar with the course, so didn't know how much longer was left (the enclosures seemed to drag on for ages). At last, we heard the beep - we had won by a length!
Way back in 1970 I steered the Quintin BC Thames Cup eight that got to the semi finals , the start atmosphere is just pure electric at Henley .
Very formal in those days. "get straight, I shall ask you once , ARE YOU READY , GO !
As you say , the noise as you hit the enclosure is incredible , still there in my mind, the only greater noise I have experienced was when I was washing down the Leander eight in the Thames cup eight semi at Marlow Regatta.
On the Friday we had the pleasure of trouncing Thames RC by 4 lengths , their coach was one Dick Phelps who also helped out at school rowing afternoons, I remember struggling not to smile too much at the end .
Thanks for the memories
Just wanted to say how sad I am about my old uni mucker Acer Nethercott's passing this week. 
He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
Edited by harry010 on Thursday 31st January 19:59
harry010 said:
Just wanted to say how sad I am about my old uni mucker Acer Nethercott's passing this week.
He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
How sad, I didn't even know he was ill. He must have only been in his 30s. He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
Edited by harry010 on Thursday 31st January 19:59
rhinochopig said:
harry010 said:
Just wanted to say how sad I am about my old uni mucker Acer Nethercott's passing this week.
He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
How sad, I didn't even know he was ill. He must have only been in his 30s. He used to live down Hurst St with a few of the rowing lads (Pete Reed among them) and some of the great evenings I spent there... My ex boyfriend lived there too... will remain with me forever.
He was an absolute pleasure, and one of the best brains I have ever come across. It's a terrible terrible shame and I'll miss him greatly.
Edited by harry010 on Thursday 31st January 19:59
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