Bewdley Regatta, July 27th-28th
29th July, 2024
Masters Men 4
The Minerva Master Class crew of Dave Searby, Andy Stewart, Brodie McAllister, Stroke Chris Born and Cox Sue Shipley were in Apollo (apparently named not after the ice cream seller in Vicki Park, but the Greek god of music, “protector of flocks and voyagers, the most feared and best loved of all the gods”). An appropriate boat, as some might be aware – The Master Classers are renowned for their singing and are often heard filling the Avon Valley with their dulcet voices…
They set out early in the morning sun to duel with Bewdley’s crack Masters Performance Squad, who were looking to test their mettle before heading out to Germany for the World Masters later this year. Avoiding collisions with racers coming downstream was the first challenge, then the rapids just upstream of the start the second, before a tricky spin on a swift flowing river before lining up for the short (800m) sprint.
After a not so bad start, Andy hit one of the buoys marking the central course dividing line square on with his blade causing them to break their rhythm. Bewdley edged ahead but Minerva were clawing them back when a ‘boat stopping’ crab slowed their attack and they finished a length behind at the finish.
An eventful race following an incident-filled preceding night on the town for Sue, Chris and Brodie in the local Thai restaurant and then meeting ‘Basil Fawlty’s’ nephew at their 1960s B&B. It was great to be there with the other Minerva crews: a real Club day out!
Masters Women 8
Jules Taylor, Nichole Etheridge, Jane Yates, Donna Baars, Jacqui Lindsley, Sharon Alcock, Sally Hardwick and Liz Gray, Cox, Kerry Harben.
Masters Women have achieved a lot this season by building the size of the squad, encouraging and supporting new members to improve their rowing and get some race experience. Bewdley was one such experience: a scratch crew with two seats who had never raced in an eight, one who had just learnt to sweep and a novice cox.
Despite that, expectations were still high! We had potfuls of power and competitiveness aplenty in the boat – and it was just 800 metres – surely there was a chance? And it looked that way for the first half of the race: the start was clean, matching our competition, and our enthusiasm fuelled our thighs to stay ahead – just – for the first 300 metres. But Bewdley’s experience on their home stretch started to show as they inched passed us to win by more than a boat’s length. Disappointed, but filled with a sense of team spirit, we celebrated nonetheless… Sometimes, taking part really does feel like you’re winning.
Bewdley was a great day out for Minerva, with rowers competing across many races categories.
As well as Masters Men and Women crews racing, Nichole Etheridge and Liz Gray paired up for their first race in a double. Robert O’Farrell and Brett Hardy raced in singles.
There were two mixed quads – the long established Minerva crew of Richard, Juliet, Robert and Laura and a new composite with Richard, Laura, Ching and Frosty from Bradford on Avon RC (heading out to the Worlds next month) – both won medals. And Richard gained his third medal that day in a single!
Big thanks to Arnold and Andy U for all the erg sessions through the winter, as well as Gemma and Lois for their Thursday circuits, and to Andy Wallis and Tim B for race preparation advice. None of these successes would have been realised without your generosity of time and quality of advice – thank you. Of course, we’re all looking forward to winter training already!!!
