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Zephyrs row the Boston Marathon (and raise £5,000)

September the 15th 2013, saw the Zephyrs embark on their biggest challenge yet. The Boston Marathon, a 50km / 31 mile, rowing race from Lincoln to Boston.

We (and our super sub Rowan) had done as much training as time had allowed (3 x 6kms on the ergs take forever!), worked out our blister strategies and even practiced “Easy, Drink, Row On”, but nothing prepared us for the race itself!

Boston before the race

Setting off at about 11.30am, we made quick time on the sheltered part of the River Witham to the lock where Ian Watson was on hand to help us carry the boat and blades to the other side. Refreshed from a stretch and some food and drink we optimistically set off, only to hit the wind. If you imagine the reach on a very windy day and never reaching the railway bridge, that’s about right! Then luckily, to stop us complaining about the wind, at about 30km it started raining.

Anna was at our 32km pit stop with fresh water and jam sandwiches so refuelled with only 18 km to go, we went for it. A few more quick energy stops were necessary, but we made it to the 48 km marker when the adrenaline kicked in and we picked up the pace towards the finishing line.

We finished in 4 hours 44 minutes, apparently a respectable time considering the conditions!

boston after

So thank you to Ian Watson for the trailering, Anna Whitelock for the driving, Rachel Newell, Pete Brooks and David Levien for subbing, coaching and coxing over the summer and to all others that helped us complete this challenge.

Finally, and most importantly, we did this race to raise money for Rosies ‘off road’ wheelchair. Thank you all for your donations – we have raised over £5,000.

Thank you

Miranda, Carol, Tiggy, Kate, Denise, Nomes, Belinda, SaraK, SarahC (and super sub Rowan)

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Champs ladies on the Thames

 Saturday 15th June saw the Zephyrs and 326s take a trip down to Windsor for the one off Coronation 60th Anniversary Regatta. Too good an opportunity to miss, but with only a IM3 class, both Champs eights were drawn against the extremely young school crews of Great Marlow and Haberdashers Monmouth.

Unfortunately, both Champs crews were knocked out in the first round, although not before the school girls got a glimpse of what Champs ladies are made of!!

Racing was followed by a trip through the grounds of Windsor Castle and a lovely picnic watching other crews going head to head in the blustery conditions.

 

 

champsladies 326s Zephyrs2

Crew lists

Zephyrs:

1- Sarah C

2- Rachel

3- Denise

4- Nomes

5- Rowan

6- Kate

7- Tiggy

S- Carol

Cox – Miranda

 326s:

1- Helen C

2- Julie M

3- Julie C

4- Ruth

5- Eve

6- Anna Louise

7- Cynthia

S- Helen A

Cox – Jane

 

 

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Success at Nat Masters

Carole and Ollie get goldNat Vets” in sunny Nottingham on Sunday.

In particular:

  • Steve and Olly won silver in their Mas D 2x
  • Olly and Carole won gold in mixed Mas C novice 2x (shown here)
  • Nomes, Denise, Carole, Rachel won Gold in Mas C novice 4x
  • Helen and Colin won gold in mixed Mas D nov 2x
  • The 3.29es renamed renamed themselves 3.26ers due to beating their time of 5 years ago, and
  • Giles and Richard scored a personal best in Mas C IM3 2x
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Sudbury Regatta

On Saturday 4th August, four of the Oarsome boys made their merry way into the Suffolk countryside to the Sudbury 132nd International Regatta (“international” due to one Belgium sculler from Ghent apparently). We were competing in the Novice 4+ Jack Spurgeon Memorial Cup, a 650m sprint along the river Stour with a few challenging bends. Continue reading “Sudbury Regatta”