|
|
 |
|
|
Lie-ins a thing of the past
|
|
| |
By Jane Upstill-Goddard
For the majority of level-minded folk, weekend mornings in late autumn are the time for a lie-in, for a leisurely breakfast and the chance for an extended read of the Hexham Courant. Not so for members of Hexham Rowing club; over the past six weeks these hardy souls have been up each Saturday before dawn. You may have seen them (if you are a particularly early riser) loading boats in the semi-darkness before setting off in convoy to far distant corners of the northeast, searching for glory in the long distance sculling series. They have driven many hundreds of kilometres and sculled many tens more. So it was with a mixture of relief and exhaustion that they ventured to Sunderland, much-reduced in number, for the last event of the series two weekends ago. The customary early start combined with wet and windy conditions did little to raise the spirits initially. Earlier in the week Hexham had difficulties finding enough members to fill the two quads entered. However, 13-year-old Laura Furniss stepped in to save the day, to the disappointment of those hoping for that elusive Saturday morning lie-in.
The course was different to that used in previous years, boats having to row some 3000 metres downstream to the start against a fast-flowing tide, before turning around to race another 4500 metres back to the finish. The course is an interesting one. If not exactly pretty, it affords an ideal opportunity for the study of industrial archaeology en route.
With 115 boats taking part, many had to wait for long periods at both the start and finish. Crews were therefore advised to dress warmly in order to endure the bitterly cold conditions. One Hexham rower, whose exploits have graced these pages in past weeks, was heard to say that by the time you’ve removed up to five layers of t-shirts prior to the race, you haven’t the energy to continue. Some additional training may be required here.
Hexham was unlucky in not securing a single trophy, although David Brown and Mark Christer came rather close. They achieved the best club time, coming in 31st place overall and only five seconds behind their class winners and long-standing rivals Berwick.
John Mulholland. George Doody, Sarah Furniss and Gillian Gilbert all raced in veteran singles. Sarah was one of the first on the water but also one of the last to get back to dry land. This was nothing to do with her rowing skills (which are exemplary), but a result of the long queues at either end of the race. In all she spent over three hours on the water. That’s true dedication (some might say true insanity) for a race lasting under eighteen minutes.
The junior mixed quad (Laura Furniss, Michael Stevens, James and Rosie Upstill-Goddard, cox Bob Manning) claimed that their position of 99th overall was due to their dragging several logs along with them, while the senior mixed quad (Jane and Rob Upstill-Goddard, Martin and Claire Le Tissier, cox Maurcie Searle) arrived at the finish in characteristic dripping-wet style.
Crews are now in training for Rutherford Head, which takes place on the Tyne in early December. A couple of lie-ins before then will be most welcome.
Previously published by Hexham Courant
08 Nov 2003
All Articles
|
| |
|
