Reading Amateur Regatta

Another busy weekend for crews and coaches at UoNBC. A contingent headed to Reading Amateur Regatta for the day as preparation for Henley Women’s Regatta in the ladies squad, and for a chance to gain racing experience for some of the crews in the men’s squad. This side by side river regatta sees a large entry from abroad as international crews settle on the Thames in ready for the racing at HWR.

For the men, two pairs raced in the same category, starting on separate sides of the draw. For Alasdair and Charles unfortunately they were knocked out early with a tough race at the start of the day. Meanwhile Matt and Luca would find their first a good warm up to familiarise with the course, saving some energy that they needed in the final later on. Up against a quality crew from Thames RC they just didn’t have enough to take it at the line. The developing double were knocked out in their first race too, but with little time together and still learning the skills of sculling, they made huge improvements from what they have done in training.

As part of the women’s squad developing for the next academic year, the novices were well represented at the event. All racing in senior events, above anything they had seen so far, the crews put in good fights across the day, beaten by tough international crews. Just a week away from women’s Henley three crews from the senior squad put together a string of races to come away with wins. In her single, Imogen extended her margins against Cardiff University, an international sculler, and finally Oxford University to take home the medal. Her teammates from the lightweight four and quad, now racing in their double, took an easy win against an American crew to kick off their day, and beat local rivals NRC by a convincing margin to clinch their title. The open-weight 4- had much closer races but didn’t let up over the day, taking on Putney then Birmingham to round off the day and pick up their medals.

A promising set of results ahead of next weekend. The club will split across Henley Women’s regatta, and Marlow regatta for the men’s squad, as the season builds towards its peak.