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Henley Fours and Eights Head
Henley-on-Thames, Saturday 13th February 2010

It has been an excellent few weeks for Kent Rowing as three races have yielded a number of victories to add to the success seen last term. Training had stepped up in the last two months in preparation for the three Spring races which have taken place in the last few weeks.

In February, the club travelled to rowing mecca Henley-on-Thames to take part in the Henley Fours and Eights Head, a race which takes place on one of the most famous stretches of river in the rowing world. The 3km stretch on the River Thames hosts the world famous Henley Royal Regatta in July, a race which our club aspires to race at this year.

Despite extremely choppy conditions, the three Kent crews coped well. The Men's Second crew of Ash Roberts, Tom Davies, Mark Humphreys and Josh Blackedge, with cox Jen Fisher finished a fantastic second out of ten crews in the Novice Coxed Four category in 13:00. The Men's First crew of Miles Halahan, Nick Paterson, Christian Wren and Sam Webb, with cox Chloe Marshall came a respectable seventh out of thirteen in the Intermediate 3 Coxed Four category in a strong time of 12:40. Women's First took third from five despite rowing with a broken rudder, finishing with a time of 14:22.

The following day the club travelled up to Bedford to compete at the Bedford Fours and Eights Head, and despite racing the previous day, the club was delighted to bring home two victories from the 2km course. Men’s Second sealed victory in the Novice Coxed Four category in a blistering 7:06, close to breaking the elusive seven-minute barrier. Women’s First destroyed their competition with a stunning 7:56, a time which is testament to the hard work they having been putting in recent weeks. Men’s First had a solid row in their IM3 Coxed Four division, finishing with a time of 7:05. Unfortunately they were disqualified due to bad language at the finish line, but that didn’t mar what was an excellent weekend for the club.

Two weeks later the club made the short trip up the M2 for the Maidstone Spring Head. Yet again it was the Men’s Second and Women’s First who dominated, each winning their Novice Coxed Four categories comfortably. The girls even managed to go one better, with victory in the IM3 Coxed Four race making it two wins in one day for the crew! It has been a hugely successful year for these two crews, with no fewer than eight race victories achieved between them.

Also getting in on the medal action was Dave Stevens who picked up victory in the IM3 Single Scull category with an excellent race on the 2.5km course. Elsewhere Men’s First finished third in their IM3 Coxed Four race, and the Sarah Harvey and Kate Tatchell put in a strong row, but unfortunately had no competition in their IM2 Double race.

As well as the five senior crews, the club sent three first-year Development crews for their first taste of racing action. As they were competing in the same categories as their victorious Seniors, there was little chance of any victories, but all competed exceptionally.

The club is now preparing for the upcoming Easter Training Camp, three grueling weeks of training in Kent and in Peterborough, culminating in the BUCS Regatta in Nottingham. The regatta is the highlight of the University rowing calendar and attended by thousands of students and supporters each year.

Christian Wren

Photos from the day