Hexham had select representation at York on Saturday (13 January) with just three boats: OMas D2x, MxMas G 4x and a OMas C 4x. Each event is unique and never to be repeated, that was particularly so on this occasion. It was a first race for some and a “first in that combination” for everyone. The sun, which had been so absent in December in Northumberland, was out and the temperature considerably warmer than forecast.
After a fair few outings at Tyne Green and multiple (failed!) attempts to compete in 2023, James and Michael teamed up to tackle the delayed York Small Boats Head on a beautiful sunny day in the shiny Janousek double (203).
Rob and John had kindly arranged for us to boat from St. Peter’s school (founded in AD627 – the fourth oldest school in the world!) so we set off to row the 5km through the city to the start line, a busy bend in the river, where we hung around for a fair amount of time and tried to avoid getting too cold.
James and Michael’s report: this was our first race in a double and the first race full stop for Michael since graduating from L2R in 2023 and it was quite daunting to deal with the multiple competitors, the series of bends, bridges, moored boats and pleasure craft along the way. So, our ‘Plan A’ was to go out at a decent rate and keep pushing, but ‘Plan B’ was to ease off if rowing whilst avoiding all the obstacles became a bit too much!
In the end we went with ‘Plan A’ – the adrenaline, banishing start line nerves and boosting confidence, James set a good rate and Michael dealt with direction changes over the 3.5km course – the end result being a loss of one place to a mixed Lakeland double but picking up five or six other places along the way. We finished 74th out of 141 boats and third in our category, against good experienced crews – a great race and a cracking start to the 2024 season 🙂
The Mixed Mas G 4x got away to a cracking start but they were interrupted by the unexpected intervention of the bank, contact of the other blade with the underside of bow’s rib cage and a slow plod with an incapacitated rigger up to the finish and beyond before events could be safely put behind them. The boat has been fully restored and the crew is on the road to recovery.
Both Mx G and the C crew were confronted and overcome by Doncaster crews. The C crew finished 20th overall (tbc) being chased by Doncaster succumbed to the inevitable eventually but not before giving the crew (in their matching kit and caps) a run for their money. Any hopes of collecting pewter were swiftly dashed on the day but the purpose of the head race season is to build the aerobic base, tolerate the lactate build-up and mesh a crew together in readiness for summer racing. In this respect it was an invaluable, not to be repeated, experience.
Thanks to Michael for towing the trailer, St Peter’s School BC for hosting us and the team at York Rowing Club for organising the event. Pictures from the day can be found at Si Events: here.
