The Explore Rowing Touring Crew had a great time in the 21 mile Great River Race on 15 September. The team of eight survived several collisions and near misses with Smurfs and Leprechauns, nothing to do with their pre-row warm-up in Teddington the night before. They started on one of our Learn to Row courses – why not join them?  Read the full story…

SuABC performed well in the British Rowing Junior Championships at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.

Thirteen members of the junior squad formed six crews, three of which progressed through the time trials to qualify for the A and B finals.

Imogen North produced tremendous rows in both her semi-final and final to capture a bronze medal for finishing third overall in a hotly contested WJ15 single scull event.

Cassie Bird and Phoebe Winter made the top 12 to row in the WJ15 double sculls B final in which they finished fifth.

Georgia Holden and Ellie Wells, in a composite WJ16 Four with rowers from Evesham, came through an eliminator round to finish sixth in the final.

Stratford’s other three crews all put in great performances and missed out on qualifying for the finals by the narrowest of margins.

They were Africa Jones (WJ14 single scull), WJ14 quadruple scullers, Rachel Stratton, Rianna Ngombe, Ellie Whitehead, Lamorna Jarvis and cox Becky Stokes and the men’s J16 double scull pairing of Franklin Hamilton and Harry Stirling.

Jones was edged out by just 0.4 seconds, while Hamilton and Stirling went on to win their C final comfortably.

Coach Mark Holden was also presented with a medal as acknowledgement for all the time and effort given to his crews.

A delighted Holden said:

“Being presented with a medal was a surprise as it is the athletes that do the real work!

However, it is an acknowledgement not only for me but for all the coaches and helpers for the time and effort that give to their crews.

All of us at Stratford are delighted that the crews have done so well especially as Stratford is run by volunteers.

To win bronze at the BritishChampionships is a great end to a very successful year for all and well deserved.”

Article taken from the Stratford Observer 1/8/13

On 2nd September, a year to the day since winning Gold at the Paralympics, James Roe MBE joined members to welcome three new boats, including one in his name. He is seen here with (left to right) Club Captain, Jen Clements, Masters’ Vice Captain, Glyn Hawkins, Club President, Felix Badcock and the Mayor, Diane Waldon. Read the full story in the Stratford Herald.

Sunday 12th May was the first time out for many SuABC Juniors and they rose to the occasion. The J13x4 (Max, Isaac, Darcy (cox), Conrad & Ben) came 3rd! Our more experienced rowers also excelled and there were medals aplenty…full results coming soon.

find out more Click here

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club

The Channel Rowers Return!

After a number of delays due to poor weather conditions, the Stratford upon Avon Boat Club Channel rowers finally got clearance to attempt the crossing on last Friday morning.

Said Ray Coyte, crew captain,”We set off from Dover at just after 6am. The weather conditions were perfect with a flat sea, clear skies and only a slight wind. The boat felt very heavy and slow to begin with and it seemed to take ages to get away from the coast. At times, it felt as if the tide was just holding us back. There was a lot of shipping around us in mid channel and at one point we had to make an alteration of course to steer around and behind a West bound ship. Up close, you realise how fast they travel and how slow we were.”

“Rowing in heavy waterproofs and lifejackets was horrible and after a few hours we were all beginning to wonder if this was a good idea,” said Ruth Winter, crew member. “The sea started to build up just before the half way point and at times we found ourselves in some very choppy water that was throwing the boat all over the place. We found it hard to row through the rough water as we just could not settle into a steady rhythm and every time the boat hit a wave, it slowed us right down. It was never overly dangerous but we did get the odd wave slop over the side. As you can imagine, the problem was that you either had an immensely heavy oar to pull on or the oar was just missing the water completely! We all got a big boost when we passed the mid channel marker. Approaching the French coast was tough as it just seemed to take ages. The sea started to get really rough off Cap Gris-Nez and we really struggled to finish the row off.”

Said Jen Clements, Club Captain, “The Channel Rowers completed the crossing in a very respectable five hours and fifty eight minutes. They are all feeling a bit stiff at the moment but not too bad! Between them, they raised several thousand pounds for charity and they all, quite rightly, feel chuffed to bits! Stratford upon Avon Boat Club is very proud of our Channel Rowers and what they have achieved!”

AGM & Awards Presentation will take place on Tuesday 21st May at 8pm 2013

at the Boat Club

SPORTING stars, volunteers and businessmen are among those in Coventry and Warwickshire recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Gold medal winning Paralympian James Roe has been made an MBE for services to rowing.

James had a rapturous welcome when he arrived home to Stratford-upon-Avon after he won gold in the mixed coxed four rowing event in the Paralympic Games.

The 24-year-old travelled around the town on an open-top bus as hundreds of spectators cheered and applauded and also had a post-box painted gold in his honour.

Latest update on the current flooding is that the club will remain closed today -Friday 23rd, and also tomorrow, Saturday 24th.

CONSEQUENTLY, ALL TRAINING SESSIONS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Once conditions improve help will be required to clean-up the sludge, slurry and debris which will be left behind the receding water levels and further updates will be emailed to you as & when the site can be further assessed.

Please standby until then.