Town Bumps 2022

Champs rowers have once again entered the Town Bumps with gusto! We are particularly proud of our Mens Champs 3 who went up one place and Ladies W2 Development Crew who held their position.

We pride ourselves at Champs in our inclusivity and determination to enjoy every moment on the river.

As well as the racing experience the Bumps is a great excuse for socialising and catching up with old friends and Champs children and family members who started their successful rowing careers with Champs …and generally having a good time.  

We love the Town Bumps at Champs! Thanks to Bonnie for organising our social events throughout the week and our President Catherine who hosted the Bumps Supper at her beautiful home. Thanks to Sam and Johnny for great leadership as our Captains and to the supporters, coaches, coxes and bank parties. You all make Champs what it is.

Here’s to starting it all again in September with David Levien at the helm as our President and some opportunistic outings between now and then!

Champion of the Thames Eights Head 15 May 2022

Champs was really happy to host this event after a 2 year absence. It’s a great chance for College and Town crews to practice their standing starts and sprint racing after all the Autumn Head races. We were blessed with the weather once again and really enjoyed the whole experience of running the event.

We see ourselves as a friendly and inclusive club and hope the event also provides a bit of relief for hard working students building up to exams and May Bumps. Great organisation by the Champs Team and fantastic effort by all.

Fastest Male Crew, M1 Lady Margaret BC and Fastest Women’s Crew, W1 Emmanuel BC
Mary and Pete Twitchett with Wiggo on the start
Champs Marshalls next to The Plough
Our most important role ‘The Swan Marshall’
Bonney and Nigel enjoying a father and daughter moment
One of several young families on the river being carefully monitored
The Finish Team relaxing between Division 1 and 2
Beer
Beer for the winning crews

Vesta Vets

Today W2 plus Captain Sam and the wonderful Gemma as our cox went to London for a second time in 2 weeks to compete in the Vesta Vets event Vet E category. 

‘Goldilocks conditions’ which means no wind, no big waves and not too cold or too hot! We met a lovely crew from Rome who were also boating from Furnival and called the Thames the Tamigi!

It was Mothers Day as is the tradition for Vesta so we were cheered on from Hammersmith bridge by Harriet waving a ‘go champs’ placard and Lizzi who joined us for post race picnic. We managed an efficient overtake being pushed on by Gemma in pairs.

Furnival were great hosts and it was fun to trailer share with Chesteron. Awesome trailer driving  from Helen  and Trish with a very early start and a hire car in the mix! Very pleased to have had a second opportunity to race on the Tamigi in kinder conditions and alongside fellow vet rowers.

Champs women head for the Thames

Last Saturday Champs added two Women’s 8s to Cambridge 99’s trailer (thanks to 9’s) to the Women’s Head of the River Race on The Thames. It was such a joy, after a long absence, to race on The Thames again and W1 and W2 had a great day out. A chance to test our rowing skills off Cam after a 2 year hiatus.

As ever with The Thames we experienced the full range of conditions which included some welcome sunshine and some very big waves which reminded us how protected we are from the elements on the Cam! Despite the conditions there was some successful overtaking whilst the waves crashed against the boats – all part of the experience.

It was just a great day out and fantastic to be part of such an iconic women’s sporting event again.