Lent term 2014

The following events are confirmed for the Lent Term 2014:

Head of the Mersey (Warrington) Sunday 9th February (Wk5). Before Half Term. We expect to attend this one which is good for juniors. http://www.wrc.commrich.net/

Warrington RC

Yorkshire Head (York) Saturday 15th March (Wk 9). I will try and book accommodation for a group at the York International Youth Hostel. We were intending to go to York Small Boats Head before Christmas but could not book into the Youth Hostel as it was full, so we are keen to have a trip over there in March. We boat from St.Peter's School Boat House. The event is organised by Yorkshire Rowing Council. http://www.yorkshirerowing.co.uk/Yorkshire_Head.html

Finish Line at York City RC

Red Rose Time Trial (Lancaster). Saturday 29th March. Another chance to race the local clubs.
Bring your own hot drinks in a thermos flask and some cake!

Instructions

Mr. Yates would like boys to arrive early (08:45) to sort their equipment out. He is organising the crews, so any particular crew details should be addressed to him.

Division 1 should start about around 10-10:30 and Division 2 around 11:30.
It is run as a Time Trial from John O'Gaunt boat house up the river and around a buoy below the Motorway bridge and then back to John O'Gaunt boat house. See the blog on the previous Red Rose for a map.

There is a public footpath along the river bank. This can be muddy so bring walking boots or wellies. An alternative place to watch is at John O'Gaunt RC on Halton Road where the race starts and finishes.

Please bring a flask of hot drink and your own food if you like as we will not be providing any at this event.

Parents are allowed to gain access to the site. The Camp Commander has asked me to tell parents the following instructions:

• Please use Gate 2 and not the Main Entrance. This Gate is 50m beyond the main camp entrance and is a gate with a padlock on it. A member of staff will have to draw a key for this gate and open and lock it. We will try and work that out on the morning. It will be difficult to keep driving up and down to the Gate to open and close it.
• I have also been asked to warn parents and boys that there will be a significant number of military personnel and heavy vehicles using the Camp (Royal Marines). They may well have gone before we arrive. There is a big movements of troops and equipment taking place and Halton is used as a staging post as they travel up the country.
• Toilets. The Camp has kindly agreed to open the male and female toilets at the top of the hill near Hut 31 (our boat house). This is as well as the outside loos on near Compound 30 where our boats are stored.

Red Rose Results - Dec. 7th 2013

Thank you to all of you who were involved in whatever capacity to make the event happen. The results are shown below. This is a screen shot of part of the results spreadsheet that Steve Sullivan (JOG) has sent me. The results are calculated based on the time taken and a handicap factor. This handicap is complicated. It takes into consideration, age, sex, and boat type. It is largely based on national championships times for each of the categories  mentioned (over 2km) plus relative boat type speeds on the day!

If anyone has some good photographs, especially of the start/finish area at JOG, please email them to me and I will put them here.

Red Rose - Saturday 7th December 2013

This term's Red Rose time trial race is on Saturday 7th December.

 Instructions (for boys):

• Boys should arrive at 09:30 as per usual for a Saturday morning rowing session.
• Use the Main Gate at Halton Training Camp.

Instructions (for parents):

• Please send me the names of parents who wish to bring a car onto the Camp asap.
• Hot soup & drinks will be available from Mr.Bell at the Camp.
• Parents can support from the bank side between Halton Training Camp and John O'Gaunt Rowing Club on Halton Road. There is a foothpath. Bring boots or wellies as it gets muddy.

Kit

• Bring your rowing kit and stay warm (Helly Hansen base layer, Ron Hills tracksters, splash top, hats and gloves) 
• Your crew should all race in the same colours (ideally LRGSBC colours).
• You may have a blue LRGSBC T-shirt to put over your base layer (I still have a few to sell at £5 each) or you may have a white and blue gym vest to would also do.

Red Rose racing format.

• All three clubs on the Lune will be competing.
• This is a time trial event where crews are set off at 10-20 second intervals. They race up the river, turn at a buoy and race back down to John O'Gaunt RC (distance ~ 4km).  
• There are two races starting at 10 and 11 am. Be on time in order to help keep the event on schedule.
• These races start at John O'Gaunt RC and crews will be marshalled on the bank side at JOG.
• Instructions and course maps have been issued by Mr.Thompson. Mr.Yates is organising crew lists.
• Learn, and stick to, the circulation pattern for the river to avoid collisions.
• Some boys may be leaving their boat at JOG once they have finished their race. Take your gym shoes with you.
• Boys can walk between JOG and Halton Training Camp on the bank side path.
• Boys may be racing in one or both races
• Results are calculated on a handicap timing basis by JOG.

Northwich Autumn Head 2013 - Results

On the road again. The first Autumn Head of the season for LRGSBC and for some their first race. There was a 5am start for the single scullers in order to make the first Division start time. The remainder of the 20 boys, who were racing later on in the day, followed on later with parents. We were one of the first club minibus and trailers to arrive through the gates of St.John Deane's College at 07:20 and picked our prime parking location to rig boats. There were over 300 entries across three divisions, made the landing stages, car park and towpath very busy.

Division 1.
The water conditions were excellent and the scullers enjoyed their paddle. Lawton of Northwich RC won the J161x event. LRGSBC sculling results were: J.Mapp (7th), D.Hammond(9th), J.Unwin (10th), D.Kingcox (11th) out of 13 J16 scullers. Commiserations go to A.Fyfe went for a swim, again, near the finish line.

Division 2.
In the mid morning division, LRGSBC entered double sculls and a novice coxed four.

J16 2x (J.Wong & J. Watts) 09:56 6th (winners Northwich RC).
J17 2x (R.Bell & A.Patel) 10:28 4th (winners The Grange School).
J18 2x (T.Kane & J.Fenna) 10:00 3rd (winners Warrington RC).

The coxed four of V.Kammath, M.Brooke-Naylor, M.Edgecombe,M.Ashall, A.Titterington (cox) had their first race together and showed promise. They came 3rd in a time of 09:12 close behind Trafford RC (09:06), and The King's School, Chester (09:08).

Division 3.
For the first time, LRGSBC managed to race two J16 coxless quads which shows the increase in numbers of committed oarsmen training. "Jack Storey", our new coxless four, was used for the first time competitively.

J164x-
1st The Grange School 08:30
2nd Northwich RC 08:43
3rd Trafford RC 09:05
4th LRGSBC (J.Mapp, J.Unwin, D.Kingcox, A.Fyfe) 09:11
5th Liverpool Victoria BC 09:35
6th LRGSBC (D.Hammond, H.McAdam, T.Nixon, C.Stuart-Burgess) 09:48

The LRGSBC four of V.Kammath, M.Edgecombe, M.Brooke-Naylor, R.Munavvar, A.Titterington (cox) moved up from J17 to J18 to race The King's School, Chester. The latter showing their dominance of sweep oar rowing in the area by winning this event and their other crew wining the senior coxed four event (IM3 4+). Thanks go to the hard work of staff (DY, RGT,CP), boys and parents for their support.

Rowing Events this Summer and Autumn (2013)

Here are some dates for your diary to watch out for this summer and our provisional School calendar events for next term.

Scott and Mason Durant continue to chase medals this summer. Both have been selected for GB for the next World Cup: 12th - 14th Rowing World Cup,Lucerne, Switzerland. We hope that they then get selection for the World Championships from 25th - 1st September Rowing World Championships, Chungju, South Korea.

Several LRGSBC boys are representing Lancaster in the International Youth Games. This year it is being hosted by Lancaster. Ciro Prisco, our Italian rowing coach, is organising the Lancaster Rowing Team which will be based at John O'Gaunt RC on Halton Road.

We are trying to sort out some rowing for boys over the Summer holiday at the moment. Mr.Yates will be in charge of any outings but first we have to review our Risk Assessments and make sure that we are safe to row.

LRGSBC have the following Head Races in the calendar:

• Chester Long Distance Sculls (Sunday 29th September)?
• Runcorn Autumn Head (Saturday 5th October)?
• Agecroft Autumn Head (Saturday 19th October) - ? JPJ away
• York Small Boats Head (Sunday 17th November) - post Half Term

? means unsure that we are going to these at the moment. These events and dates may change.

BBQ Row Results

BBQ Regatta Results

Thank you to Mr.Yates and Mr.Thompson for coordinating the racing. I will try and find some pictures to go with the results shortly.

Single Sculls (Jago Challenge Cup)

1. Oliver Tidswell             2.01
2. Matty Ashall                 2.08
3. Adam Fyfe                   2.19
4. Josh Mapp                   2.22
5. Joe Unwin                    2.27
6. Declan Hammond         2.30
7. Thomas Kane               2.36
8. Jonny Wong                 2.38
9. Jacob Watts                 2.40
10. Lewis Clare                  2.58
11. Dan Kingcox                3.03^*
12. Zach Barrow                3.40
13. Robbie McVickers       3.53
14. Harry McAdam            3.55^**

* Got stuck in tree

** Had to re-boat after capsize!

Double Sculls (Tankards)

1. Thomas Kane – Roman Bell                              2.07
2. Jonny Wong – Lewis Clare                               2.08
3. Oliver Tidswell – Dave Bennett                         2.09
4. Matty Ashall – Harry McAdam                         2.10
5. Joe Unwin – Zach Barrow                                2.13

5. Dan Kingcox – Jacob Watts                             2.13
6. Josh Mapp – Robbie McVickers                      2.15
7. Matthew Pettit – Vipin Kammath                      2.19
8. Declan Hammond – Robin Watkins-New         2.22
9. Adam Fyfe – Cameron Stuart-Burgess             2.26

OL Challenge Cup

Old Lancastrian's Challenge Cup. Note the School v OLs competition is an annual established match for the Stephen Helme Memorial Trophy which we hope to find and re-establish next year. Many thanks to the OLs for taking part. We had three OL crews afloat. A mention for Chris Liddiard and Ben Middleton (OL) 2x who enjoyed getting back in a boat. It would be great to get some more OL rowers back in boats next year. 1st Round OL crew1 (M.Thornton) beat OL crew 2 (T.Gray,W.Gray.L.Hodgson,V.Kammath. Final Won by OL Challenge Cup 4+ (M.Thornton (str), N.Radcliffe,R.Singh,B.Renshaw,A.Sweeney (cox) in time of 1.48 by 3 lengths over J152x and J154x+ (J152x beat J154x+ by 2 feet).

OLs win at Henley and Lancaster

Scott and Mason Durant (OLs) won successive Henley Royal Regatta finals at 3.10 - 20 pm and at the same time 274 miles away in Lancaster, Mike Thornton (FRCS), Nick Radcliffe, Ben Renshaw, Rob Singh, and Andy Sweeney (cox) represented the Old Lancastrians and won their match against the School on the river Lune.

This must have been the hottest day this summer, certainly in the British sporting calendar. OLs contributed to this famous sporting weekend in the country's history. The British Lions had just beaten Australia (first series win for 19 years), Andy Murray won the Mens' Single title at Wimbledon (first British player for 77 years?), and OL rowers won two titles at Henley RR and the Old Lancastrians Challenge Cup in the same weekend.

Scott won the Stewards' Challenge Cup beating the Olympic Lwt Champions, from Tuks RC, S.Africa by 1.25 lengths in a time of 6:27 and in the next race on the programme, Mason won the Ladies Plate in a new course record beating Northeastern University 'A', USA. The stats for this race are amazing!

Barrier 1.48 * loser in lead

Fawley 3.02 ‡ equals course record

Finish 6.19 † new course record

At the same time up in Lancaster, we thought of our friends down at Henley and launched our new double scull named "Scott & Mason Durant" in honour of them.

** Please can someone send me some photos of the the prize giving and boat launches **

Results of the BBQ Row on the centerary of the OLs Club will be forthcoming and I will publish them here as soon as I get them from DY. Please send me photos if you have any.

It has been an emotional day, I don't mind admitting it. Thank you very much to the boys, their parents, the Headmaster, OLs and their families for attending. The staff need rewarding and thanking for their duty which was 'above and beyond' (DY and RGT) and also Ducan Bell and his family for putting on such a fantastic BBQ. We have all come away with some great ideas for the future of LRGSBC.

I have been in touch with Diane Durant down in Henley. She has confirmed that Scott and Mason will come up to the School as part of their commitment to British Rowing at some point at the end of the season to meet the boys. Meanwhile, we all anjoy, reflect and celebrate a fantastic day on or beside the river.

The comarderie involved in this sport of rowing runs deep and is the essence that binds rowers together at every level. They are a special breed. The effort required to reach the top goes beyond just the athletic endeavour gone through in 7 long minutes of nerve biting effort where muscle and sinew are tested to the limit. It is the years of dedication en route and the sacrificies and understanding made by all involved that binds the rowing fraternity together. Rowing is a family sport in the biggest sense of the word. The efforts required and the rewards gained are great indeed.

Have a good summer!

JPJ

OL Rowers through to Henley Royal Regatta Finals

Scott and Mason Durant continue their preparations for the next round of the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne by reaching finals at Henley Royal Regatta this Sunday.

Scott had a thrilling race rowing as Oxford Brooks Univ. & UL against the seeded Waiariki Rowing Club 'B', New Zealand in The Stewards' Challenge Cup. The kiwis took the lead and the GB four were trailing at both the Barrier and Fawley but rowed through their oppostion to win by 3 feet.

Barrier 1.54*
Fawley 3.12*
Finish 6.36

Scott is pictured at 3 (numbered from bow) in the photo below. Note the change in order of this crew. 'Noddy' at two today. Photos courtesy of Henley Royal Regatta website.

His crew now faces Tuks RC, South Africa in the finals tomorrow. Three of this crew are the current Olympic Lwt Champions from London 2012. They got through their semi-final by beating the other seeded NZ crew, Waiariki Rowing Club 'A'. Both semi-finals produced similar times so the final will be a thriller.

Mason took on and beat the ARMY RC in the quarter finals yesterday and the University of Washington, USA (time 6:19) in the semi-finals today of the Ladies Plate competition.

Barrier 1.48*

Fawley 3.02*
Finish 6.19

This race also saw the GB crew losing at both the Barrier and Fawley and to then row through the Americans and win by 1.25 lengths. Mason's crew are the current GB 2nd eight that came fourth at Dorney and have been selected to represent GB again at Lucerne.

Mason is rowing at 7 for 'Leander and Molesey Boat Club' crew pictured above (his are the Oxford Brooks University blade and colours). They meet Northeastern Univeristy 'A', USA in the final tomorrow.

Results from Henley Royal Regatta can be followed from their website results stream.

Founders' Day 'BBQ Row'

This post is about the forthcoming Founders' Day BBQ Row and Boat Launching Ceremony. A letter will go out to boys this week.

Boys, OLs, friends of LRGSBC and their families are all invited to the Founders' Day (weekend) celebrations. The Boat Club are reviving the much loved 'BBQ Row' which is taking place on Sunday 7th July at Halton Training Camp. Founders' Day celebrations are taking place over the whole weekend and more information about organised events can be obtained from the School Development Office.

• Free LRGSBC T-shirt for boys competing
• BBQ run by a parent.

Venue

Halton Training Camp, Halton Road, Lancaster, LA2 6LW

 **** New instructions ****
Enter through Gate Number 2. This is a padlocked farm gate about 50 yards towards Halton from the Main Gate and Guard House. We will try and have somone stationed at the gate to let you in. Failing this, I will leave my mobile number on it. Give me a call and I will come up or send someone to let you in. Park in either of the two large car parks on the left as you drive down the hill. Please avoid driving down to the main training area beside the river as there will be other users undertaking training at the same time.

Timings - these timings are approximate.

09:30 Boys wanting to row arrive and prepare sculling boats and prepare for the first event.
All races will take place from the Motorway Bridge to the tower at the Army Camp (downstream, approx. 550m).

10:00 "The Jago Challenge Cup" - format: single sculling time trial. We have six sculling boats. Competitors will be allocated a boat which will have to be shared. Boats need to be put away at the end of the event.

11:00 "Double Sculls Tankards" - format: names and boats will be drawn out of a hat. One good sculler to compete with a novice sculler. We have four double sculls including the new boat (please be careful!).

12:00 Boat Launching Ceremony for the following boats: "Scott & Mason Durant" 2x/-, "Tim Lucas" 4x+, "Jack Storey" 4x/-. To include new oars.

12:30 "The Old Lancastrians Challenge Cup" - A new trophy has been bought. It is hoped that the OLs can put out more than one coxed four/quad. OLs should contact the Master i/c (pjago@lrgs.org.uk) to sign up. There will be two LRGS coxed quads in the draw.

13:00 Prize Giving: including the awarding of  the "Lucas Cup" to the most improved rower over the year.

The J18 Sculling Blade (Speech Day prize) goes to Jack Hatchman who is also appointed Captain of Boats for next year.

13:30 OLs are welcome to go for a row.

New Sculling Blades Arrive

Six new pairs of ultralight Concept 2 sculling blades have arrived. They have had their LRGSBC blue stripe sprayed on and have been marked up with coloured tape to identify them. The handles have the latest luminous green grips which have a soft finish which are very comfortable to hold. They have telescopic extensions to the loom of the blade so the overall length of the oar can be adjusted for smaller or larger crews. It is envisaged that these new blades will be used by our best J16 and J18 scullers next September. Our current best set will be used by next year's J15 competitive crews.

We were also able to buy a replacement sculling blade for our current best set which broke soon after they were purchased when the stroke man of a coxless quad caught a huge crab and the scull went under the boat (blue handle on the right in the photo above). The looms are made of carbon fibre and are designed to be stressed and bend in certain directions only! The spoon (end of the sculling blade) is made of composite materials is called a 'big-blade' or 'hatchet' due to it's shape. This is the most common shape of blade used today and is designed to stay fixed in the water throughout the stroke without slipping, making it easier for the sculler to control it and put the power on.

All rowing equipment is expensive and our budget does not extend to purchase much in the way of new rowing equipment such as these blades. It has only been possible to buy these sculling blades from the following sources: the insurance payment for "George" (the old wooden quad scull that was damaged beyond repair), as well as the generous, Gift Aided, donations of several OLs and a parent. Raising funds for new rowing equipment is an on-going and never ending effort. The equipment gets a lot of use and wears out. We try and protect the equipment as best we can but it is for the use by the boys. The popularity of rowing in the UK, post the London Olympics, and at LRGS is increasing. We have certainly seen an increase in the numbers of boys wanting to take up the sport recently. Success breeds success and we are on the upward curve of developing rowing at LRGS again. If OLs or parents would like to make contributions for new equipment, we would all be very grateful. Donations can be Gift Aided to maximise it.

J15s Medal at Bradford Regatta in "Tim Lucas"

The omens were good. The trailer right indicator light worked for the first time on hooking up to the hire van at 07:15 at the Army Camp. We then set off to Bradford Regatta with the J15 squad plus new boats. Down the motorway and across the hills, past Burnley and Colne to North Yorkshire. It had been a while since the Club has entered this small regatta run by Bradford Amateur Rowing Club in Shipley near Saltaire. This term, we have targeted two small local regattas to find suitable competition for our juniors.

The competition was a 'knockout' side-by-side sprint race over 600m downstream on the river Aire. Competitors have to align themselves at the start underneath a rope across the river and the cox has to hold a rope and toggle dangling down from this. The course is narrow and winds through woods before opening out towards the finish at the Club house. Crews then have to hold their boats up to prevent them drifting across a weir a short distance beyond the finish line. An interesting proposition for both coxed and coxless boats.

LRGSBC entered J15s in single, double and coxed quad events. Oliver Tidswell got the furthest in J15A single sculls, progressing through three rounds to lose the final by 1 foot to a York City sculler. Adam Fyfe took on a Leeds RC sculler in the final of J15B 1x. Adam was starting to power his way through before he encountered a tree on the bank side and capsized. Credit to Adam to get his scull to the side, get back in and finish the race. Shame the umpires did not warn him about his impending collision with an obstacle.

J15 2x prepares to race

LRGSBC were represented in both the A and B J15 double scull competitions.Oliver Tidswell and Adam Fyfe lost to the eventual winners, York City RC in the quarter-finals of J15A 2x. The two LRGSBC B crew entrants, Decland Hammond & Joe Unwin and Josh Mapp & Daniel Kingcox lost the semi-finals and then finals to Bradford ARC.



The new 2x "Scott & Mason Durant" sees action.

 It was all starting to build to one of the last races of the day. The J15 4x+ final between LRGSBC and Bradford Grammar School. The new boat ("Tim Lucas") was rigged and checked and the crew experienced the regatta nerves that go with this type of competition whilst they waited to be called over the PA system. Then it was time for a final briefing from DY.

Rig the boat



Crew brief



Time to go

The crew were called to the marshalling area for boat checks by the officials. We all gathered in front of the Bradford Grammar School boat house and tried to work out who the opposition was. Safety in numbers. There were two Bradford crews. The A crew were to tackle York City in the A final. We were to take on the B crew in the B final. The new boat shone in the sun. The boat is named "Tim Lucas" after the previous Master i/c Rowing. Tim was also Master i/c Rowing at Bradford Grammar School before moving to LRGS. A fitting place for the boat's first race. Time to get afloat. The omens were good. The Bradford GS cox fell in on the landing stage. DY positioned himself at the mid race point and JPJ in the finishing area ready to give encouragement. The race was off and LRGSBC had a tentative start against their opposition who were on home water. Jacob Watts coxed a good race and took control. The crew started to pull through. The boys then experienced that nervous race feeling of what it is like to be in the lead, keeping focused and not wanting to make any mistakes which would result in losing the race. A case of 'Keep Calm and Carry on'. LRGSBC then started to open up a length's lead and could relax, finding good race rhythm in the final 200m. The verdict was a win for LRGSBC by 2 lengths.

J154x+ cruise through the regatta enclosure









J15s win

Landing Stages

The medal ceremony

Tasting victory

J154x+ s win in "Tim Lucas"

Congratulations go to the J15s and to their coach, David Yates. The culmination of a year's hard work by all. The whole J15 squad performed well and we were unlucky not to come away with more than one regatta win in doubles and single sculls competitions. The new boats were just what was needed and their arrival was very timely. The boys and coaches are very grateful to 'The Friends of LRGS' for providing the funds for the new 2x, and to the generosity of an Old Lancastrian who donated funds which, together with remaining funds in the 'ROCAP' (Rowing Parents Committee) account, allowed us to purchase the 4x+. The regatta was run very well by BARC and provided excellent race experience to this young developing squad. Plans are already being made for which races this squad is aiming to enter next term. They can't wait!



A Silver Medal for Scott at Dorney

Scott and Mason Durant represented GB at the Rowing World Cup at Dorney,Eton. Scott rowed in the Men's Four, winning a silver medal (pictured third from the left on the back row in the photo below) behind the Australians, and Mason rowed the GB 2nd 8+ which came fourth.

The following report is taken from the GB Squad website (race report):

This year 's GB men’s four has a completely new line-up of Alan Sinclair, Nathaniel Reilly-O'Donnell, Scott Durant and Matthew Tarrant, who settled early on into third position in their final behind Australia and Romania, giving themselves work to do in the second half of the race.

Refusing to panic, however, the British settled into a nice rhythm in the second 1000m, rowing through the Romanians into second position and gaining fast on the Australian four. They ran out of racing distance to overhaul the Australians, however, and had to settle for silver – a fine return for the relatively new crew, as Tarrant pointed out. “It’s really great; we have obviously had a crew change,” he said. “We’ve really made some good progress in the past couple of weeks. Really encouraging training at Caversham but Friday was our first day to see if everyone else has stepped on as well.”

Commenting on the tricky racing conditions, Scott Durant added: “It’s pretty tough out there. When you are coming in on a crew like Australia like we were there, you really put yourself in a lot of pain and only feel it when you cross the line. It’s pretty agonising but it’s good to come away with something after a couple of weeks of preparation.”

Men’s Four Results

1. Australia 5:56:40

2. Alan Sinclair/Nathan Reilly-O'Donnell/Scott Durant/Matthew Tarrant (GREAT BRITAIN) 5:57:74

3. Romania 5:59:88

4. New Zealand 6:02:67

5. Norway 1 6;07:68

6. China 6:12:35

Men’s Eight Results

1. Oliver Cook/Daniel Ritchie/Tom Ransley/James Foad/Mohamed Sbihi/William Satch/Pete Reed/Andrew Triggs Hodge/Phelan Hill (cox) (GREAT BRITAIN) 5:25:93

2. Poland 5:26:36

3. France 5:29:54

4 Matthew Gotrel/James Edwards/Nicholas Middleton/Philip Congdon/Colin Williamson/John Collins/Mason Durant/Lance Tredell/Hnery Fieldman (cox) (GREAT BRITAIN) 2 5:29:76

5. Czech Republic 5:31:64

more photos of the event at the World Cup Rowing website.

The New Boats Arrive.

The new boats were delivered on Saturday at the end of the Half Term break. It took the Wednesday Games afternoons to get the riggers coloured coded as we have new riggers for a 4x+, a 2x and a 8x+ to sort out. That's 14 pairs of sculling riggers (28 riggers) and sweep oar riggers for the four and pair (6). A lot of riggers to work out which boat they belong to.

Thursday Games afternoon was a busy one. JPJ and DY arrived early at lunch time to start the rigging of the boats. Thirty four boys still needed to go rowing as well. It was a boiling hot afternoon and all boys enjoyed perfect rowing weather on the river with DY and RGT. While the boys were on the water JPJ rigged the boats with the help of a Sixth Form and checked all the measurements. By the end of the Thursday Games Session, the coxed four and double scull were rigged and ready to go.

The coxed quad / four is named after the previous rowing Master, Tim Lucas. Tim had a huge effect on developing the Club and was responsible for many regional and national successes over a sustained period of time, as well as building up the pool of boats which many boys have learnt to row in. In fact, part of the money for the coxed quad was raised by ROCAP, the parents committee that he set up and worked with for buying new rowing equipment. This was the last of the ROCAP funds that we needed to spend up. Tim was responsible for encouraging many boys to start rowing and who are now OLs. The purchase of this boat was mainly funded by a generous donation from an OL.

The double scull /pair is named 'Scott & Mason Durant' after our most successful rowers of recent times (current GB oarsmen). The boat was bought with generous funds donated by The Friends of LRGS.

By the end of the session, the current J15s were able to launch 'Tim Lucas' and try it out. The boys were amazed at how smooth and quiet the slides were and were very impressed by the quality of the boat. It is definately a winner!



The new sculling riggers to turn the eight into an octuple have also arrived from ES Rowing and have been fitted. This has been a huge success and the octuple has been racing up and down the river with boys who are learning how to scull. It will be reported on separetly, when I can catch up with them!

We are now working hard and trying to seek funds for some new sculling blades for these new boats and the octuple in time for the Founder's Day weekend and the official launching of the new boats.