Tag Archives: David Noyes

Stratford Triumph at Stourport and Peterborough

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Stratford upon Avon Boat Club enjoyed a strong day of racing at Stourport Regatta on Saturday 15 August, with crews competing across junior and masters events on the 1000m course.

The morning saw two Stratford women’s  junior double sculls take to the water. The crew of Alexandra Francis and Millie Smith crew raced in the semi-final against Hereford Rowing Club, while Poppy Baines and Martha Baines faced Worcester Rowing Club in the other semi-final. Both Stratford crews were narrowly denied places in the final, with Hereford and Worcester progressing to the final, which was subsequently won by the Hereford crew.  There was further morning action for Seth Vondrak, racing in the Open J18 single sculls final against Monmouth Rowing Club with Monmouth the victor.

The afternoon brought even more Stratford representation. The crew of Ollie Rowlands, James Albrighton, Theo Richter and Seth Vondrak competed in the senior event for Open coxless quadruple sculls semi-final against Worcester. Both crews were unable to progress to their respective finals.  The afternoon’s racing continued with Poppy Baines, Martha Baines, Millie Smith and Isla Dunn producing an excellent performance in the Women’s Junior coxless quadruple scull semi-final against Stourport Boat Club to earn a place in the final. They then returned to the water later in the afternoon to take on Hereford Rowing Club and secured victory in the final.  There was further success for Alexandra Francis in the Women’s Junior single scull.  After defeating Worcester Rowing Club in the semi-final, Alexandra progressed to the final and completed the job by beating another Worcester crew to claim the event.

With two wins from the afternoon finals, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club finished the regatta on a high. Commenting, Steve Wellstead, J17/18 Coach and Junior Coordinator, said, “The results demonstrated the depth of racing across the Club, with junior, senior and masters crews all gaining valuable competitive experience and two Stratford crews progressing through the heats to deliver excellent performances when it mattered most.”

Corinna Burger and Helen Helliwell lined up for the Women’s Masters D2x semi-final against Warwick at Stourport. Conditions were hot with a slight headwind. A tricky start from the Stratford crew put Warwick ahead from the beginning but once they got into their rhythm they began chasing them down. Unfortunately, even with a final push, the duo couldn’t make up the gap and crossed the line in second place. It wasn’t the result the wanted but had good pieces to develop from.

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Masters squad also competed at Peterborough Summer Regatta over the weekend The build up to this year’s Peterborough regatta started from many weeks before the event with Stratford crews as well prepared as they could be to tackle the 1,000 metre purpose built course. From the purchase of the new ladies’ VIII for the Club and the addition of Polydor the heavyweight 2x making it possible to enter into more races, the squad were set for a full on day of racing with a minimum of two races each from the twelve participants.

Caroline Collins, Charlotte Jones, Abby Symons and Jane Cryer had bravely entered the open w4-. Ellie Davis and Gina Fusco the W Masters E 2x event and Rebecca England and Suzie Radley England the W Masters C 2x event. This was also the line up for the VIII which would be the last event of the day for the ladies Masters. Tom Doherty, David Noyes, Dan Simkins and Pete Spivey made up a Men’s Masters E 4x and they split into the two double scull events with Tom and Pete entering in Masters F and Dan and David in Masters E.

Racing was spread out throughout the day and there was never a dull moment in proceedings but just enough time to recover between races and give our best efforts for the club. The weather had a gusty headwind in the morning followed by a humid and warm afternoon of racing.

Beginning the racing for Stratford were Suzie Radley and Rebecca England in the Women’s Masters C 2x. After a comfortable row to win their heat, they lined up for the final amidst gusty conditions. In a fairly exposed lane, they faced some steering challenges but finished a respectable second out of the seven crews behind very strong opposition from Peterborough City.

Ellie Davies and Gina Fusco rowing in the Women’s Masters E 2x were excited to race at Peterborough for the first time. Despite gusty conditions which made for a slightly zigzagging row, they successfully got through the semi-final and into the final. They came third out of five competitors overall but felt they gave a good performance against very strong opposition from Burton Leander and the winners Peterborough.

Stratford Boat Club women’s masters Charlotte Jones (stroke) Abby Symons, Jane Cryer, Caroline Collins (bow) raced in their coxless IV for the second time this regatta season and a lack of competition in their age category meant they had to row in the open category against younger crews from Chesterton, Globe and home crew Peterborough. Executing a clean and effective start, the crew settled into a good rhythm rating thirty two strokes per minute. Despite the challenges of steering in the strong gusty side-wind the crew managed to stay in their lane and gave a strong performance but were beaten by the younger crews. Caroline Collins, steering at bow said, “We are very pleased with performance and we are taking away great learning points about how to race in windy conditions.”

The Masters Men first race was Masters E quad. Pete Spivey (stroke) David Noyes, Dan Simkins and Thomas Doherty (bow) took to lane three in a straight final against three other crews with one younger Newark crew who had a time penalty. Gusty conditions meant that all crews including Stratford were finding rowing in their lanes challenging. By 250 metres, the Stratford crew had overtaken North Stafford and were bearing down on Bewl Bridge who were by now three quarters of a length ahead. Despite one of the Stratford crew catching a crab, they quickly regained momentum and speed. At 600 metres, the Stratford quad overtook Bewl Bridge and crossed the line winning first by a few lengths with a time was 3:58, a strong performance in the gusty conditions.

In the afternoon division the men began their doubles races. First up were Tom Doherty and Pete Spivey in the Men’s 2x Masters F/G in their first race together as a double. The semifinal presented a competitive field of Broxbourne, Doncaster and Peterborough City. Cautious off the start, by 500 metres, the Stratford crew had found a pace that matched the strong Broxbourne crew beside them and made it through to the final coming in just behind Broxbourne. Going into the final, the duo knew that it would be tough race against  Burton Leander, Sudbury and Broxbourne. The Stratford crew got a fast start hitting forty one strokes per minute and maintaining 34 from 100m to 500m by which point they were a length up on Broxbourne, half a length down on Burton Leander and cruising past Sudbury who had already lost their nine second head start. The Stratford team had to adjust course slightly which reduced their speed and Burton Leander pulled away. The battle continued and the Stratford crew raised the rate up to thirty six strokes per minute in the last 100 metres, giving it everything. They achieved a fast time and well-deserved second place only five seconds behind Burton Leander and half a length ahead of Broxbourne.

The second of the men’s doubles Masters E Dan Simkins and David Noyes went into the semi final determined to make the final which they did easily taking the win in their semi final. The final against Bewl Bridge, North Stafford and City of Cambridge began well for the duo, a composed start and into a good powerful rhythm which put them in a strong position in the race. Unfortunately, the Stratford crew caught a number of buoys down the course, as so many other crews had that day, which meant they finished several lengths behind Bewl Bridge but still achieved second place.

The late afternoon brought calmer conditions for the women as they came together to form a women masters E VIII crew Coxed by Rachel Evans, Ellie Davis (stroke) Gina Fusco, Rebecca England, Suzie Radley, Jane Cryer, Abby Symons, Charlotte Jones and Caroline Collins (bow). Racing a straight final against Chesterton and a Star/Milton Keynes composite. After waiting the nine seconds head start for the older composite crew, the Stratford women had a decisive and strong start taking the lead over Chesterton. The steady rhythm set by stroke giving powerful stroke length together with excellent coxing spurring them on, the Stratford crew closed the gap and rowed through the Star/Milton Keynes composite by the 500 metre point and were then able to consolidate a clear lead of ten seconds ahead by the finish. Abby Symons commented, “it’s great to bring home another decisive win for Stratford Boat Club in our new boat and to have executed our race plan to bring home another winner’s pot.”

At the end of the day Tom Doherty said, “Today was all rowing should be about; friendship, camaraderie, laughs and excellent and successful racing by everyone. Thanks so much to Dan for towing which made it all happen. Well done everyone, looking forward to many more days like this.”

For media coverage, see Stratford Observer back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/08/21&pages=32#page/30 and online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-celebrate-wins-at-stourport-and-peterborough also Stratford Observer page forty two and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/strong-showing-from-stratford-crews-at-stourport-regatta-9479006 and https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/new-boats-helps-to-bring-decisive-victory-for-masters-squad-9479004

For more great pictures of Stourport regatta, see Stuart Baines’ excellent selection https://onedrive.live.com/?id=%2Fpersonal%2F3dd8f6a70c0cb625%2FDocuments%2FPictures%2FStourport%20Regatta%202026&listurl=%2Fpersonal%2F3dd8f6a70c0cb625%2FDocuments&ithint=folder&e=A0DZtO&migratedtospo=true&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL2YvYy8zZGQ4ZjZhNzBjMGNiNjI1L0lnQVZIRXVLSnlMaFFLV1A2NXJ0TUJZZ0FVZHdmcERQaVM3Y3Y2Q3A0ejFvZmJBP2U9QTBEWnRP&ga=1

Stratford Out In Force at Bedford and Henley

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At Bedford Spring Head on Sunday, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s youngest squads were out in force and able to display their skills on a stretch of river that was perfect for all to witness how far they have progressed. The J13’s, racing up a category as J14’s, put out two quads in consecutive divisions who both recorded solid times and impressed with intelligent race plans that saw them cross the line just seconds apart. The combination of Burt, Franklin, Heenan and Siwakowski ultimately claiming bragging rights on this occasion over Durance, Cruise, Jackson and Ford. The coxswains of those boats, Lilly Parsons and Islay Milles respectively, then raced-up again in the J14 double sculls and showcased some real promise with a composed performance and a highly creditable time.

The J14 squad were similarly well represented. Hothi and Mansfield competed early in the double sculls but were beaten into second by a strong Walbrook Rowing Club pairing. A mixed quad of Stanford, Lebordais, Birrell and Dunn, coxed by Mansfield, enjoyed the strong challenge from local clubs and also managed to record the second fastest time in that event. Tiring of second place finishes, Birrell and Lebordais took to the water again in a double scull and blew the competition away, recording the event’s fastest time and taking the gold whilst being chased all the way to the line by their squad mates Hammick and Shickle whose performance was no less commanding.

Both Stratford Boat Club J15 coxed fours were racing: first up were Seb Happel, Will Shaw, Euan Richter and Ed Appleton, coxed by Rory Jones, rowing neatly in the OJ16 4+ against three home crews from Bedford School in seven minutes and thirty seconds, beating all crews coming in as one out three. Next up were Orla Linforth, Maria Ntoukaki, Naomi Sime and Erin Appleton, coxed by Ed Appleton, rowing nicely in the W4+ and setting a great time of eight minutes and seventeen seconds, matching the Stratford WJ18 crew!

Finally, in the OJ15 2x event, Euan Richter and Rory Rowan sculled well over the 2k distance, in eight minutes and seven seconds which wasn’t enough for a medal. Commenting, Hugo Happel, J15 Coach said. “Credit to all three J15 crews, they all did a great job!”

A glorious spring day saw a total of thirty five crews from Stratford upon Avon Boat Club travel to Bedford for the Spring Head. Held over 2000m on the Great Ouse, the course runs through Bedford’s town centre making a theatre of rowing for the day. Stratford’s J16 squad competed in four events throughout the day. First to go was the women’s coxless quadruple scull of Martha Cooke, Tessa Parkin, Martha Baines and Bryony Francis who competed in the J17 event for the day and delivered a superb row scoring a second place against Walbrook Rowing Club. Next off was the women’s coxed four crew of Isla Dunn, Becca Smith, Tessa Parkin, Maeve Dunn and Bryony Francis (coxswain) who again rowed up a category to race against senior women and again demonstrated their quality to come home second against the Loughborough Rowing Club women. The racing continued thick and fast with the WJ16 double sculls of Martha Cooke and Isla Dunn sprinting home to fifth whilst Martha Baines and Bryony Francis took the win in style. Hungry for more, the J16’s then took to the water in the single sculls event.  Racing for a third time in the day Tessa Parkin came home a creditable sixth in a seventeen strong field, Becca Smith in fourth and Maeve Dunn took the win with a confident row in the late afternoon sunshine.

Racing first down the course for the Stratford crews were the boys J18 quads. Xavier Sissins-Rofey, Theo Richter, Jamie Wilcox and Seth Vondrak set off at a blistering pace, executing a solid race plan to put them in second place, although the fifth fastest overall crew of the day. Later in the day they returned to the water in Open Coxless Fours’ event, where they put down another strong performance against their older competitors to finish fourth.

In their first race of the day, Poppy Baines and Lucy Sartain paired up to race the WJ18 doubles in dominant style. They powered down the course taking an expert line through the bridges to claim a distinct win over the rest of the field. Also racing in the WJ18 doubles were Lily Warren and Aimee Appleton. They executed a strong race plan and raced tidily to come out third in their field. In the WJ18 1x event, both crews from Stratford put in good races to come second and third, chasing each other down the course. Later the WJ18 quad rowed an excellent race, brilliantly steered by Lucy Sartain, to win their event by over ten seconds. In Division Six, the crew of Alexandra Francis, Aimee Appleton, Scarlett Richardson and Poppy Baines took to the course in the Women’s Coxless Fours’ event: competing against older and more experienced crews, the four completed a powerful race to claim a win of over twenty seconds to claim silver.

The Bedford Course is a testing row over 2km, with the river becoming narrow in places and requiring crews to navigate numerous bridges. Commenting, Amanda Bowden, Masters’ Vice Captain said, “This was the first race for several of Stratford’s Masters’ crews and the first time steering a race for a couple of the bow steers persons. A huge co granulations for all who raced today! It was wonderful to see so many masters rowers competing in the sunshine today!”

The MxD4x of Suzie Radley, Dan Simkins, Patrick Taylor and Amanda Bowden won the category with an adjusted time of six minutes and forty eight seconds. The crew raced hard and were consistent throughout the race, despite steering challenges and very choppy water conditions in places. The MD2- of Dan Simkins and Patrick Taylor stuck to their race plan and were delighted to complete the 2k race in an adjusted time of seven minutes and twenty four seconds, under rating the winners, coming in second place. There is definitely more to come from this crew!

The single scullers of Tom Doherty in the Masters’ E category and Nick Sartain in the Masters’ D category both rowed strong rhythms and completed the course in times of eight minutes and twenty one seconds and seven minutes and forty dix seconds respectively. Tom was nip and tuck with the Leicester sculler for the whole course, with choppy waters in the mid section adding to an eventful race. The Stratford sculler just prevailed by five seconds to finish in second place in a field of five competitors with local sculler Bedford using his local knowledge to run out the winner by nine seconds. The Mx2x of Tom Doherty and Rebecca England came fourth in their category.

The WMD2x of Suzie Radley and Amanda Bowden had a great start then as they overtook another double, this competitors lost control and steered into the Stratford double. This resulted in a stop, resulting in a considerable time loss of thirty seconds. The result was second place for the Stratford double. The OpME4- of David Noyes, Rich Shepherd, Nev Hands and John Charlesworth raced hard gaining valuable experience on a challenging course. Unfortunately the WME4x including Christine Goodwin, Gina Fusco was hampered by injury and sickness, thankfully they had two subs of Rebecca England and Imogen North and were able to enjoy a row over the course for time only in seven minutes and fifty seconds. Thanks again go to Hugo Happel and Steve Wellstead for towing the trailers and to all the support from the bank.

Meanwhile, Stratford’s adaptive squad attended the annual Adaptive Phyllis Court Time Trial on the Henley Regatta course. The squad was largely made up of established competitors, the event coming a little too soon for a number of recent recruits. The best Club time of the day was achieved by the mother and son combination of Ian and Paola Ward. Best newcomer went to Ricky Clutterbuck. Gillian Middleton, competing for the first time in a single scull, won the Club Most Improved category. Commenting, Mark Dewdney, Stratford’s Head Adaptive Coach said, “Phyllis Court is a useful precursor to the main regatta season. It was attended by the Henley MP, Mayor and Stratford Boat Club’s President, Paul Stanton. The next outing for the adaptive squad is Marlow Spring Regatta in early May.”

For great pictures from Bedford Spring Head, see Stuart Baines’ selection https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AAnHz3nIhATIuP8&id=3DD8F6A70C0CB625%21269548&cid=3DD8F6A70C0CB625