Information documents for Michaelmas term 2008
Download or view in pdf format forecast of events and training sessions.
Recent rowing events and news
For a comprehensive list of rowing
events see David Biddulph's rowing calendars - 2008 and 2009 (provisional)
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Notices
Christmas wreaths for sale, proceeds to the Rowing Club - information.
Row the Channel Sponsored Ergothon, 10 January 2009 - information and sponsorship form.
Document about buying rowing kit
J14 and J15 rowing
With effect from Sunday, 12th October, the J14/J15 session will run from 10am until approximately 12:30.
Reviews
Northwich Autumn Head - Saturday 16 November
A selection of rowers took part in the Northwich Autumn Head this Saturday and all performed well. Particular congratulations must go to the girls who won coxless quads at senior 4 level and the J15 boys who won the J15 coxed quad event and also novice coxed fours event.
Agecroft Small Boats Head and Dee Autumn Head - Saturdays 18 and 25 October
Saturday, 18th October saw a strong performance from the King's School Rowing Club’s senior squad at Agecroft Small Boats Head, in Salford Docks, Manchester, with 25 rowers competing in two divisions. The coxed 4 of Stephen Jones, Ollie Holt, Mike Thorp and Sam Arnot (coxed by Charles Barry) easily romped home to a strong win in the Senior 3 coxed 4s in the first division.
In the afternoon, the coxed 4 of Ollie Holt, Sam Wilson, Sam Arnot and Stephen Jones (coxed by Charles Barry) won the Senior 4 coxed 4s, closely followed by the coxed 4 of Frazer O'Brien, Ed Longinotti, Mike Thorp and Sam Lewis (coxed by Tim Pemberton). The doubles of Rob Leech and Will Everett both narrowly missed out on first place, coming a close second in their respective events.
On the whole, a good show of strength by King's on the water and a good starting point for the upcoming season.
The last Saturday of a long half term saw crews from every year group of the rowing club competing at the Dee Autumn Head in nearly every type of boat. The J14 boys competed in the morning division in two coxed quads. Unfortunately, there was no other competition, but it was very good racing experience, having only been sculling for half a term. The J14 girls raced in the afternoon, also in two coxed quads, though they both sadly lost to their counterparts at Royal Chester RC.
A promising start to the year for the J15s, with a win for the boys in the morning in J15 coxed quads and a second for the boys’ 8. They were only beaten by our own J16 8 who won the Novice 8s.This was followed up by second, fourth and fifth places for the J15s in Novice coxed fours in the afternoon. Steph Gorman was also racing in the afternoon division in women's novice singles and came second - a very good result for her first race in a single.
The senior squad had a successful morning with both quads in the top three J18 quads with a win for the A quad and the B quad coming third. Michael Thorp and Stephen Jones won Senior 2 pairs by a substantial gap. Sam Arnot dominated the singles event, winning the Senior 3 race and getting the fastest time of the day for singles. The quads split up in the afternoon to race in singles with some unexpected results due to equipment failure and crashes not to mention the strong headwind having a large effect. Unfortunately, this meant no wins in this event for the seniors. The top coxed four won their event and the whole division for the first time ever in King's history, beating their rivals from Grosvenor RC by 4 seconds. These results are very encouraging for the senior quads and coxed four as the three crews are racing at the first major race of the year next Saturday in London at the Fours’ Head of the River.
Chester Long Distance Sculls- Sunday 5 October
This Sunday 21 senior squad members of the rowing club competed in the first race of the year, a home event, the Chester Long Distance Sculls. Twelve men's singles competed in five different categories with some very promising results for the coming season. Steve Jones won the Senior 4 event, coming in 2nd out of all the singles entered. This was the highest placing for a King's sculler in recent memory. He was closely followed by Mike Thorp who was just under two seconds behind Steve, but also winning his Senior 3 category. Sam Arnot didn't quite win Junior singles, coming 2nd, but he was only 2 seconds behind Mike and 6th overall. The next group of eight King's scullers finished very closely with less then a minute between the 1st and the last giving a solid footing to build on in the next few months; though unfortunately no medals at this event. A good result was achieved by Sam Lewis at the top of this group coming 3rd in Novice singles. Will Moreland brought up the rear with a respectable time whilst still making the transition from cox to rower. Also competing this year was Rob Irving, an Old King's Scholar, who has come back to help with the coaching team for the year. He finished 2nd in Senior 1 behind our top three scullers. The fastest time of the day was by the Junior Women's Oct, competing for the first time ever and coming 3rd overall, losing only to an Elite men's single and a Senior women's quad. This is an encouraging result for the girls giving them something to work off in the coming months. Having three scullers in the top 6 is an extremely pleasing result for the Senior Squad and starts off the season very well.
Unfortunately, the Junior Squad didn't get a chance to join the Seniors and race in coxed and coxless quads in the afternoon division, as it was called off due to the heavy rain and large amount of debris in the river. At the time of the race, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day but after all the crews had rowed up to the start of the race in Eccleston and, in fact, some of them had actually begun racing, the race organisers decided to call off the event. The fact that one of the King’s crews, through no fault of there own, had hit a log, which was submerged beneath the surface, and broken a rigger might just have had something to do with that decision! This was very disappointing from all concerned but particularly for our new J14s who were set to race for the first time. They won’t have long to wait until the next one, though, as the club will once again be competing on home turf on 1st November in the Dee Autumn Fours. Let’s just hope that the conditions are kinder to us then!
Coupe de la Jeunesse - 18 to 20 July 2008
top: Junior Mens Coxed Four – Sam Arnot is immediate left of the photo with his team mates from other GB independent schools(including Abingdon, Canford and St Pauls, and Maidenhead) and their GB coach – the crew won 2 gold medals
bottom: Junior Mens Eight- Michael Thorp is 3rd from right (in green socks) with Franz Imfeld (cox) far right (blond hair) again with team mates from a number of other GB schools – the crew won 1 gold and 1 bronze medals
Four sixth form students competed for Great Britain Rowing in Coupe de la Jeunesse in Cork, Ireland on the weekend of 18th to 20th July 2008.
The four gained their GB places after competing in gruelling GB rowing selection trials at the National Watersports Sports Centre, Nottingham in early July, to win the opportunity to row for GB at this prestigious European junior rowing event held at the beautiful Inniscarra Lake in the County of Cork, Ireland.
The four students: Sam Arnot, Michael Thorp and Franz Imfeld all aged 17, and Stephen Jones, aged 16 travelled to Ireland with a strong GB junior rowing squad selected from schools and clubs nationwide.
Sam Arnot competed in the GB Junior Mens coxed four boat and was rewarded with gold medals in two events on Saturday and Sunday, with convincing clear water wins against the Ireland crew in silver medal position and the Italy crew in bronze position in both races.
Michael Thorp rowed in the GB Junior Mens eight, which was coxed by his school and club mate Franz Imfeld. The crew gained gold medals in their first event on Saturday after an incredibly close race against top eight boats from France and Italy. Their opponents were set for revenge in the second event on Sunday, and France gained gold medal place, with Italy in silver position beating the GB crew by the narrowest of margins into Bronze medal position.
Stephen Jones rowed in the GB Junior Mens coxless four boat which faced tough opposition against top crews from across Europe and narrowly failed to win medal places.
After 2 full days of rowing the young rowers from GB were the victors of the Coupe de La Jeunesse competition gaining 14 medals in all and 223 points, driving the French crews into second place with 12 medals and 212 points.
Copy of the full article, with results tables, in pdf format
Marlow Regatta - Saturday 21 June 2008
The 1st VIII competed over the 2000 metre course at Dorney lake, Eton, as part of their preparation for Henley Royal Regatta.
They competed in both Senior 2 Eights, in which they came 6th in the first heat, and the Senior 3 Eights. In Senior 3 Eights they won their heat and semi-final. In the final they came a close 2nd behind Exeter College Oxford.
This was an encouraging result after the disappointment of the cancellation of the National School Regatta.
Bedford Star Regatta – Saturday 14 June 2008
Rowers from the J14 A and B Octuples and the J15 A VIII travelled to Bedford to take part in this event.
The J15 IV won their event with medals awarded to Graham Bendall, James Edholm, Matthew Chadwick, Chris Garrard and Tim Pemberton.
The J15 Quad also won their event with medals awarded to Adam Jones, George Herd, Tom Menzies, Kaleem Choudhry and Tim Pemberton.
The J14 Octuple lost in the final, but the J14 A Quad won their event with tankards awarded to John Marsden, Charlie Collicutt, Sion Parry, John Reeves and Harry Brightmore.
National School Regatta - Friday, Saturday and Sunday 23, 24 and 25 May
On Friday the school entered an A and B octuple. In the A Octuple event there were 23 crews entered. The school's crew came 3rd in the qualifying heat and 2nd in their semi final. In the final they came 5th, but with only 4 seconds between the first 5 crews. In the B Octuple event there were 19 crews entered. The school's crew came 5th in their qualifying heat and 3rd in their semi final. In the final they came 6th overall.
For Saturday and Sunday the school had entered crews for Championship VIIIs, J16 Championship VIIIs, J15 Championship VIIIs, J16 2nd VIIIs, Girls Championship Quads and Girls J15 Quads. Because of high winds racing had to be abandoned before lunch on Saturday and was cancelled for Sunday as well. This was an enormous disapointment for all of the crews and coaches. The is is a major event of the year and the rowers have beeen training since September.
Chester Regatta - Saturday 17 May
16 Crews entered this event on the River Dee.
- The J16 B Crew and a J15 crew were both beaten in the Novice Eights competition by Chester University.
- The J15A Coxed Quad beat Merchant Taylors School to win their event.
- The J15 B Coxed Quad lost to Queens Park High School
- The J15 Novice Four crew lost to Chester University.
- Ed Longinotti and Rob Leech, rowing in Novice Sculls both won their first round, but were defeated in the semi finals.
- Four J14 Quads competed in a league competion, but were beaten by crews from Royal Chester Rowing Club and Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club.
- Tom Marquis and Zac Hulme lost in the first round of the J16 double sculls.
- Tom Bradley and Josh Manicaro won the Novice Double Sculls and received a tankard each.
- The J14 Girls Quad beat Queens Park High School to win their event. Engraved Glass Tumblers are awarded to Laura Haylock, Dona Kumar, Elizabeth Williams, Corinne Robinson and Hannah Riley.
Shrewsbury Regatta - Saturday 10 May
view an album of photos
63 Rowers represented the club in 16 different events.
- In Novice VIIIs the J16 B crew beat the University of Chester and Royal Grammar School, Worcester, before-losing in the semi final to the J15 A crew. The J15 crew, having also beaten Royal Grammar School Worcester, lost to Exeter University in the final by 3 feet.
- In the J16 VIIIs the J16 B crew lost to Shrewsbury School by 3 lengths.
- In the J15 VIIIs the J15 A crew lost to Shrewsbury by a canvas.
- In the Novice Coxed IVs the crew lost to Nottingham Rowing Club in the first round.
- In the Girls J18 Coxless IVs the senior girls lost in the first round to Grange School.
- In Novice Double Sculls Tom Bradley and Josh Manicaro beat Warwick Boat Club and Pengwern Boat Club, before losing in the final to North Staffordshire Rowing Club.
- In J16 Double Sculls Tom Marquis and Zac Hulme lost to King's School Worcester in the first round.
- In Novice Single Sculls Rob Leech was beaten in the 1st round.
- The Girls J15 Coxed Quad lost to King's School Worcester.
- The Boys J14 A Quad was beaten by Shrewsbury School.
- The Girls J14 Quad lost both races in their league competition.
- In the Boys J14 B Quad competition 2 crews did not qualify for the final.
- The third J14 B Quad won their event and John Reeves, Can Ulger, Harry Davies, Will Miller and Harry Brightmore won a tankard each.
Wallingford Regatta - Sunday 4 May
Seniors: Following a couple of disappointing races in the morning, both the J16 and 1st VIIIs showed their ability to learn lessons, move on and not give up. Their races in the afternoon heats showed better rowing and more racing spirit with the 1st VIII coming 2nd in their heat for the J18 VIII competition and the J16s winning their heat in Novice VIIIs. The J16s continued this trend to come 2nd in their final, beaten only by Eaton's A crew who are currently the fastest J16 crew on the water. The 1st VIII were unable to hold their position coming 5th in the final but know what it is they need to do in the run up to Nat Schools. An important success of the final was beating St Paul's 1st VIII who beat them last week at Notts City. To put the result into perspective, it was a really tight race. Timings show that at the half way point there was only one second between our VIII and Abingdon and Radley. The boys know that they need to work on the 3rd (and toughest) 500m of the course and that is what they will be working on for the next few weeks. Important lessons have been learnt this week and the afternoon results show that our VIII is up there in the mix. The J16 B VIIIs rowed hard but were up against tough competition. The one girl in their crew performed very well.
Juniors: The J14 Octuples put on a fantastic performance coming 2nd and 6th in the qualifying processionals (only 6 boats were to qualify for the final out of 17). They went on to come 2nd and 5th in the final but should be pleased with their work. Again important racing lessons have been learnt by the A crew in particular and both crews know what they need to work on for Nat Schools.
The J15s had a hard fought heat where the times show just what a tight race it was. However as tiredness set in, in the final 1000m of the Final, technique went and with it the necessary rhythm to keep up the boat speed. The other J15 crews are much bigger than ours and we just need to learn to keep our head's in the face of tiredness but again its in racing like this that the crews can learn how to race.
Merseyside Regatta - Friday 2 May
view an album of photos
Nottingham City Regatta - Saturday 26 April
The school was represented by three VIIIs.
The 1st VIII rowing in the Senior 2 VIIIs came last in their heat. Rowing in the afternoon in the J19 competition they came 5th in the final.
In Novice VIIIs the J16 A crew finished last in their heat after suffering a broken rigger. In the same competition the J15 A crew reached the final and came a very creditable 5th.
The Senior Girls, rowing in Women's Novice Quads, came 2nd out of four crews.
Inter-Regional Reagatta, Nottingham - Saturday 19 April 2008
Three J16 crews were selected to represent the north west region for this event. Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled after one heat because strong winds had made the course unrowable.
GB selection trials, Eton - Sunday 20 April 2008
Mike Thorp, Sam Arnot, Stephen Jones and Franz Imfeld took part in the trials for selection for the GB Youth Squad.
King’s Welcomes Cambridge University Boat Race Squad
Current King’s School rowers with the Cambridge Boat Race 2008 Squad on the Dee.
The King’s School was proud to welcome the 2008 Cambridge University Boat Race Squad to train at the King’s School Rowing Club.
Chris Ramsey, Headmaster of the King’s School said “We are absolutely delighted to welcome, for a second year, the Cambridge University Boat Race Squad. It is an honour to share our first class rowing facilities with the team which includes one of our former pupils David Billings. We wish the crews every success in the race.”
Dan O’Shaughnessy, President of the Cambridge University Boat Club said “The whole squad has enjoyed our stay. It is an ideal preparation for the Boat Race on the Tideway. We love the atmosphere here at Chester and the Dee is a great river on which to train. It has been good to have the opportunity to row alongside the King’s School crews, and we wish them well for the rest of the season.”
Dave Billings, a former King’s School pupil who is rowing at stroke in the Goldie crew said,” It’s great to be back and rowing again on the Dee. I have many good memories of the Boat House and all the staff at King’s.”
King’s has a long tradition of rowing excellence and has had several previous Boat Race Squad members particularly at Cambridge. “We have high hopes of similar future success for this year’s school leavers, as 3 members of our current 1st VIII crew have offers from Cambridge colleges.” Said Robert Parry, Master in charge of Rowing.
North of England Head - 8th March 2008
View an album of photos - report to follow.
Schools Head of the River Race, London - 4th March 2008
Five Eights represented the school in this event;
- The 1st VIII came 6th out of 32 crews in Championship Eights
- The J16 1st VIII came 4th out of 7 crews in Championship J16 Eights
- The J16 2nd VIII came 4th out of 6 crews in the J16 Second Eight competition.
- The J15 1st VIII came 5th out of 15 crews in Championship J15 Eights
- The J15 2nd VIII came 10th out of 15 crews in the J15 Second Eight competition.
These placings were all slightly below expectations, but an indication of the improvements required before the National Schools Regatta in May.
National Sculling Head, Henley - Monday 3rd March 2008
Three crews represented the school at this event;
- The Girls Senior Quad came 15th out of 19 crews, but they will all be eligible to row in this competition again next year.
- The J14 A Octuple came second out of 32 crews, winning the Silver Medal.
- The J14 B crew came 12th in the same competition which was an excellent performance.
Reading Head of the River - Saturday 23 February 2008
The 1st 8 dominated the Junior 8 category, beating 10 crews including main rivals St Pauls School by lOseconds. It was a good performance for the crew, in a new combination, finishing less than 30 seconds behind an Oxford university crew. The crew comprised of:- Alistair Barnwell, Frazer O'Brien, Gordon Beck, Leo Scott, Sam Arnot, Michael Thorpe, James Clark, Steve Jones and cox Franz Imfeld.
The j 16s also performed well, winning the novice 8 category, only 0.4 seconds ahead of an Imperial college crew and well ahead of other crews in their age category.
The j 15s also won their division, beating comfortably any crews of the same age, completing a very successful day for the school, the most successful club, apart from Oxford, of the day.
Pudding Races - Saturday 8 December
View a gallery of photos
GB Youth Trials at Boston, Lincolnshire - Saturday 17 November
Three members of the School competed on the 5000 metres course in single sculls. They were racing against the best young rowers in the country who will be eligible to represent Great Britain at International Youth events this season.
In the overall placings Sam Arnot came 9th, Michael Thorp came 13th and Stephen Jones came 44th. Franz Imfeld was also invited to the event as a trial cox.
Dee Autumn Head - Saturday 27 October
The School entered crews in 12 events in this competition rowed over 4 kilometres on the River Dee.
- The Jl 6 VIII rowing in Novice VIIIs finished one second behind Manchester University.
- In the Single Sculls events Stephen Jones won the Novice Event, Sam Arnot won the J18 Event, James Clark won the Senior 3 Event, and Mike Thorp won the Senior 4 Event.
- Gordon Beck and Alistair Barnwell won the J18 Double Sculls.
- James Clark's crew won J18 Coxed Fours.
- Bruce Fanshawe's crew won Senior 4 Coxed Fours.
- James Kinsey's crew won J16 Coxless Quads.
- Ed Jamieson's crew won J16 Coxed Quads.
- Matthew Chadwick's crew won Novice Fours.
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Founded in 1877, the King's School Rowing
Club has an enviable reputation as one of the country's top
school clubs. Its situation on the River Dee is superb and
its excellent facilities are enhanced by experienced and
professional coaching.