Junior Training Regatta – 29th April 2007

Juniors Shine at Weybridge

A large contingent from the Junior squad went to the River Thames on Saturday 28th April for a triangular competition with Weybridge and Staines Rowing Clubs.  The aim of the afternoon was to train Juniors from all 3 clubs in regatta procedures such as starting orders and flag meanings – as well as to get some practice competition.
On a warm, sunny day the Guildford juniors performed superbly and won 6 of the 9 events competed for:

Jake Lewis won J14/J15 single sculls – beating Chris Green (Guildford) in the final.  This was a first event for Jake in a single and first ever for Chris.
Alex Turpin and Ellie Scull romped home in the WJ13/WJ14 doubles in their first regatta together.
Josie Skillman and Rachel Mackenzie duelled with Daisy Fanin and Catherine Baker in the WJ15/WJ doubles final and dead-heated twice so it was declared a draw.
Jake Lewis and Jake Ince won their J14/J15 doubles final over Weybridge despite being the younger crew.
The J13 singles went to Staines despite a brave challenge by Freddie Salmon in his first regatta.
The J12/J13 doubles went to Weybridge who beat Luke Insoll and Chris Foulkes who were the younger crew and also in their first regatta.
The WJ12/WJ13 quads was won in convincing fashion by Alex Turpin, Ellie Scull, Zoe Dzywulski and Amy …………coxed by Charlotte Hopkins.
The WJ14 quad of Liz Robinson, Bethan ap Pres, Claire Godfree and Alex Turpin, coxed by Ellie Scull was unable to match the pace of a Weybridge crew (who had a boy on board but we let that go).
The WJ15 quad of Josie Skillman, Rachel Mackenzie, Emma Jewkes and Charlotte Warne coxed by Ellie Scull came in easy winners over…………..Guildford J14 boys Jake Ince, Jake Lewis, Sam Cunningham, Alex Bottomley coxed by Charlotte Hopkins.

Thank you to all the parents and supporters who spent a long afternoon waiting on the towpath for their offspring to come by and who helped load and unload the boats.  And also thank you to the Weybridge officials who put their blazers and ties on for the day and used flags and walkie-talkies to make it as authentic as possible for the Juniors from all 3 clubs.  Lastly, thanks are due to Richard Mattos for fulfilling his trailer-towing and supporter role again.

There is no doubt that this type of event is fantastic value for new squads and has provided a marker for the coaches and rowers alike for the regatta season.