Rosconn Stratford Boat Club Regatta: Another Great Success!

A memorable day! Excellent racing: great participation from crews as far afield as Abingdon Rowing Club, Cardiff & Vale Schools Rowing Association, Evesham Rowing Club, Royal Grammar School Worcester, Warwick Boat Club, Monmouth Comprehensive School Boat Club, Northwich and sister club King Edward The Sixth School Boat Club as well as major entries from Stratford upon Avon Boat Club itself. The regatta this year had three divisions, thirty five events and one hundred and thirty five separate races starting at 08.00 and running all day through until a prompt close at 17.30hrs!

Stephen Rose, Stratford Boat Club’s Regatta Secretary said, “This year we were so pleased to have Mencap Heart of England and St Basil’s as our nominated charities: Stratford Boat Club have an outreach in teaching customers of Mencap and other adaptive athletes how to scull and this was a natural extension for this outreach. We were very heartened by the huge turn out from local and distant clubs and the interest from the public. A massive thanks to all our sponsors especially the Rosconn Group, hard working Stratford Boat Club members, visiting crews, umpires and officials and especially the public for supporting the event.”

Paul Stanton, Stratford Boat Club’s President commented. “It was a long day’s racing from 08.30 to 18.30hrs: 550 beefburgers, 45lbs of sausages, 25lbs of bacon, 20kg of sliced onions and 650 buns all from local suppliers were consumed as well as dozens of cakes and snacks: what a magnificent day topped by great racing! Based on our success last couple of years, we decided to stay with the shortened 650 metre course to ensure the safety of all the competitors

and river users. We were especially grateful for the help and tolerance of those operators who work and make their living on the river.”

Said Paul Hazelwood, the Club’s Treasurer, “Stratford Boat Club’s next event is the Fun Regatta on Saturday14 July: this is a much more ‘relaxed’ event with scratch teams from local Stratford, Warwickshire and area companies and organisations. We give them three hours coaching, a boat and cox and organise a regatta for them! There are

bound to be thrills and spills! Come and see the ‘other side’ of rowing!”

Whilst Stratford crews were competing hard at their own regatta, last weekend saw Senior crews go to 2018 British Rowing Masters’ Championship with Christine Goodwin winning silver in her category whilst the Men’s Senior Squad continued their training for Henley Royal Regatta

Also at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham for the British Rowing Masters’ Championship was Stratford’s Kjersti Rogneflåten Woolley. The British Rowing Masters Championship is raced over a 1000m multi lane course and attracts the best crews from around the country

Kjersti was entered in Mixed Masters D/E 4x in a composite crew with Derwent Rowing Club. After a good start, they were in the lead at 500m and kept this up until the end. They finished at a very good time of 04.03.95, beating Champion of the Thames (Cambridge) by 3.03 seconds

Said Kjersti, “It was great to win with the Derwent composite crew especially as we had only raced together once before the Masters’ Championships. I am also very grateful to my coach, Andrew Roe, who has taken me through a tough training programme this winter. Next year, we hope to bring more crews from Stratford Boat Club

For great pictures from the regatta, please see and buy David Phillips’ (dpphotos@davenjen.plus.com) magnificent professional pictures: the photos are now available at dpphotos.co.uk

For media coverage, please see Stratford Herald page 15 and online at http://www.stratford-herald.com/87970-picture-gallery-boat-clubs-regatta-proves-huge-success.html and also Stratford Observer back page and online at https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/stratford-regatta-is-another-great-success