I’m hugely excited to say that The Champs kit room is now open for orders at: https://www.crewroom.co.uk/collections/champion-of-the-thames-rc The case sensitive password is available on the Champs Kit page on the members website. 5% discounts will be applied on checkout for JL unisuits, Long Sleeve JL Tech tops, Crewroom leggings, Tundras, Zephrs and Hoodies. And even more excitingly, we now can order custom Champs rowing bra tops!
Deadline 5th November so get those orders in.
Good opportunity to stock up the winter kit cupboard in time for the Winter League racing.
Champs has a very well run sculling school that goes out on a Saturday or Sunday morning (depending on races etcetera) and Carole Mills, our sculling captain, along with others from Champs and other Cambridge clubs went to compete at the World Masters in Budapest in September. Given fierce and impressive competition Champs ‘punched well above its weight’ and Carole came second. Carole has had a fantastic year winning a gold at the National Masters in Strathclyde in June and a gold at Henley Masters in July, culminating with a second place at the World Masters. As a result Carole – to her surprise as this is an award she would normally announce- won the most improved scullers trophy for women. Well done Carole!
Although we all love those Summer outings, events and training there is something very special about Autumn rowing. This is a photo of our W1 crew this Sunday morning at 8am emerging from the mist on the water. The club is focussed now on preparing for Autumn and Winter Head Races on the Cam, the Thames and Ely. That means lots of 2x6K ergs, circuits, weights and ‘so many squats you can’t get your jeans on’ according to the W1 coach John Welton. All the Champs crews are looking forward to the head race season ahead after a successful summer and Bumps where W1 got their blades and the ‘returners’ – a crew of x juniors just back from uni – also got their blades including an over bump- you can’t ask for much more than that. One of them had to bump her own mother to achieve it but Champs is a family friendly club and no one could have foreseen just how far and how fast a scratch crew full of determined young women would go.
The Champs AGM was well attended and there was standing room only at one point in the Boathouse Pub. We are very lucky to have Keith Benton as our President and Pete Twitchett as our Chariman for another year and they and other Champs officials gave speeches, appointed new volunteers to key roles and awarded prizes for most improved rower, sculler, cox and many more. It’s a credit to the club that so many people volunteer to run the club gather subs, pay race fees, look after child welfare, manage the budget, attend CRA meetings, organise some very good social events, run sculling school and many many more duties that makes Champs the club it is.
Trish Reed in the photo has done a fantastic job captaining the women for the last year and was voted in to become overall club captain for men and women. Trish will be supported in her role by a team of 2 captains (senior and intermediate) for the women Sam Hulston and Sarah Corcoron respectively. Trish will be identifying a captain for the men and will be fully supported in this role by us all. We all know that means more 2 K tests at Christmas to inform selection process but it’s a formula that has worked well for the last year and it keeps us training! Trish also runs sculling school with Steve Millar and Carole Mills so this photo shows her getting an impressive trophy for her contribution to the club over the year. We would also like to thank Maura Rutter who has stepped down after several years as Secretary and John Tasker as Treasurer.
However rowing isn’t all about awards and trophies and erg test tests! Champs is an inclusive club that welcomes new comers and we have a clear structure of induction for new members and volunteers also put themselves forward to run the induction scheme at the AGM. We welcome new members who are keen to row and join in. If you are willing to learn and improve and become part of the club we would love to hear from you.
