Tag Archives: Geraldine Chorley

Stratford’s Masters’ Women Take On The Thames!

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On Sunday, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s the novice E masters women’s VIII took on the mighty Thames Tideway for the Vesta International Masters Head of The River Race 2025 in clear calm dry conditions, despite an adverse forecast.

Expertly coxed by Alistair Washborn, the crew benefitted from a focused warm up over 7k and a clear race plan. Ellie Davis (stroke) set the pace, followed by Lin Hansen, Jane Cryer, Katie Burman, Geraldine Chorley, Abby Symons, Vicky Millward (Worcester Rowing Club) and Gina Fusco (bow).

Setting off at a brisk thirty one strokes per minute then settling to a solid thirty strokes per minute, the Stratford boat quickly overtook local rivals Evesham which greatly boosted the morale of the Stratford crew. The crew went on to overtake a second boat (Marlow) and, having worked hard, the crew started to flag but great calls from Alistair at Hammersmith Bridge galvanised the ladies into action. A third boat was confidently overtaken and finished the course in 23:59mins to win their division.

Crew Captain Ellie Davis said of the win: “It was a fantastic win for a crew that came together exceptionally well & we all had a fantastic day.”

The women’s masters C8+ was coxed by Jen Carey, stroked by Rebecca England, with Fiona Shultz, Lucy Scarlett, Ruth Poulten, Caroline Collins, Corinna Burger, Clare Booth and Rona Fitzpatrick in the bow.

The Stratford’s Women’s Masters’ C VIII had the misfortune to have a blade come out of its gate. This lost several seconds for the hampered crew. Nevertheless, they regained the blade and had a very positive row. The crew completed the course in 23:40:89mins.

The women’s crews were named ‘Imogen’ and ‘Erin’, after Imogen Grant MBE and Erin Kennedy OBE. On hearing of the crew’s win, Erin Kennedy sent a personal message to the crew – ‘Wow! That is amazing!!! Send a huge congrats from me!’

Amanda Bowden, Masters’ Vice Captain, said “The women’s squad has been growing and training harder over the season, so to finish the head race season with a victory in London is incredible! We are now looking forward to the regatta season.”

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page forty seven and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/novice-crew-enjoy-their-thames-contest-9410199 and also Stratford Observer online https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-clubs-masters-women-take-on-the-thames and also on back sports page https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2025/03/28&pages=32

Masters Progress at Gloucester!

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On a beautifully sunny day on Gloucester canal, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club Women’s Masters VIII had a great race, enjoying fantastic flat water. The crew of Rebecca England (stroke), Rebecca Paul, Jane Cryer, Lin Hansen, Corinna Burger, Katie Burman, Geraldine Chorley and Lucy Scarlett (bow) was expertly coxed by Maria from Bewdley Rowing Club. Over the 5km course, the newly formed crew worked hard, keeping their strokes long and loose despite being hotly pursued. They used this as excellent motivation to increase their pace and finish strongly in their first head race of the season. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. Masters’ Vice Captain Amanda Bowden commented, “This was a good test for the crew and I am pleased to see increased levels of training are paying off. Well done to Lucy Scarlett competing in her first Head race and to Rebecca Paul, Corinna Burger and Geraldine Chorley returning to rowing following a break. To commit to a 5k race for the first one is very impressive!”

Following the disappointment of previous cancelled events. the WMD4x of Emily Sayers, Christine Goodwin, Gina Fusco and Ellie Davis were looking forward to their first race of the season. The crew rowed well and came second in their event and were pleased with their commitment over the 5k race. Gina Fusco added, “We now have a benchmark for the head season and next weekend’s race at Henley Long Distance Sculls.”

The fastest Stratford crew of the day was the WMD2x stoked by Suzie Radley. Sticking to a consistent rate and boat speed, the crew had an exciting and somewhat rocky race following the eights ahead of them. Amanda Bowden at bow responded positively to the steering of the crew ahead as she looked to overtake. However, failing to find a safe path by which to pass, it wasn’t until the final 1km that the opportunity opened up and the crew went past at the finish line. Racing for ‘time only’, the crew saw this as beneficial training for further races this season.

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page forty two https://digital.imnews.app/app/STR931/editionguid/70fdf4e8-8f3a-4c8a-ae15-2872da07e50a and Stratford Observer back sports page https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2024/11/01&pages=32 and online https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-clubs-womens-masters-impress-at-gloucester-autumn-head

Mammoth Day at Monmouth for Stratford’s Women’s Masters!

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A strong squad of masters women from Stratford upon Avon Boat Club competed in both divisions at Sunday’s Monmouth Winter Head, winning medals in the VIII and Quads.

This was the largest number of masters women that Stratford has seen out in a while, boating two VIIIs, three quads and a coxed four. Despite a series of unfortunate events that could have derailed the plans for the day, including crew illness, mechanical failure resulting in two boats remaining at Stratford and some pretty awful weather, the adaptability of the squad members coupled with generosity from Monmouth rescued the situation and saved the day.

In the morning division, the first VIII composite had a very solid row in a time of 7.39mins, beating two other crews. The stern pair of Amanda Bowden and Suzie Radley set a strong rhythm for the crew. The middle four of Heather Hayton, Rebecca England, Ruth Poulten and Charlotte Jones, were called upon a couple of times for extra pushes. The response was felt and the boat lifted, supported with good timing from Rona Fitzpatrick and Susan Brown (Xpress Boat Club) in the bows. The crew was ably coxed by Keris McShane.

The second VIII of Jane Cryer (stroke), Ellie Davies, Emily Sayer, Lin Hansen, Geraldine Chorley, Lucy Kelleher, Claudine Pearson and Paola Arevelo Ward, were confidently coxed along the 2.25km by Jen Carey. The crew went off at a rate of 26 strokes per minute, settling to 24 after three minutes before finishing strongly at 27 with a respectable time of 8.22mins. This was an enjoyable row despite the cold wet conditions and challenges faced in order to get a boat on the water. Jane Cryer commented, “Great to see so many women representing Stratford Boat Club at this event and enjoying their sport.”

In the afternoon division, the winning Women’s Masters C 4x- of Ellie Davis, Gina Fusco, Christine Goodwin and Emily Sayers had a very good row. They beat Worcester by seven seconds. They were delighted with the win having stuck to their race plan and produced a good race.

The winning composite Women’s Masters D/E 4x- of Heather Hayton, Suzie Radley, Amanda Bowden and Susan Brown (Xpress Boat Club) had a fabulous row, in a time of 7.37mins beating Upton and Gloucester.

The novice Women’s Masters D/E 4x- was stroked by Lucy Kelleher and backed up by Jane Connolly, Mel Brown (substitute) and Claudine Pearson. Claudine was steering for the first time in a race. This developmental stage for a sculler is a positive step for racing crews. Mel Brown from Monmouth Boat Club, commented on what a great line Claudine had taken down the river.

The Women’s Masters C 4+ was coxed by Jen Carey, stroked by Rebecca England, was supported by Lin Hansen, Jane Cryer and Ruth Poulten. They came in 26seconds after the winners, Evesham Boat Club. This crew is recently formed and one to watch in the future.

Vice Captain, Amanda Bowden said, “The squad is developing to show real strength in depth. Crews are beginning to see rewards, or will do soon, for the effort they put in. Time on the water and in the gym is ensuring that we have strong and technically competitive crews. I am delighted with the progress this autumn, it bodes well for the summer racing. Thanks goes to Eric Appleton for trailering and supporting the crews on a rather cold, damp day and to the finishing coaches Dan Simkins and Sam Hill.”

Sadly, the juniors squads’ Wycliffe Small Boats Head on Saturday was cancelled at the very last minute after the crews and their boats had travelled to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

For media coverage of Stratford’s Women’s Masters’ triumphs at Monmouth Rowing Club’s Winter Head see Stratford Herald page thirty nine and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/medals-for-rowers-at-monmouth-meeting-9343383 and Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-mammoth-effort-from-boat-clubs-womens-masters-at-monmouth and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2023/12/08&pages=24