GB Rowing Camp
Huge congratulations to Guy Kitchen (upper sixth) who was invited to the GB Rowing Potential Camp in December after achieving a great performance at the November Early Identification trials. We look forward to taking Guy, and other Emanuel rowers, to the second round of trials in February.
“On the 13th December, I was lucky enough to fly to Spain to be part of a GB potential camp with 15 other sweep rowers and 12 scullers on the Castrelo reservoir. Throughout the intense seven-day camp we rowed two sessions a day in an eight or a pair which was followed by a gym session. Although it rained for most of the time, it was a great experience and has prepped me for the oncoming regatta season.” Guy Kitchen
GB rowing camp
The 2019 annual pudding races
Although many of the scheduled races at the end of the term were cancelled due to flooding, the rowing club ended 2019 on a high with over 70 pupils taking part in the annual Christmas Pudding Races on Saturday 14th December. Despite the cold, pupils and parents turned up in Christmas fancy dress to compete. Unfortunately due to the high water and fast stream the racing could not take place on the water this year, so we had to revamp the competition to a team relay ergo challenge.
Earlier on in the week the crews were drawn randomly, along with a festive crew theme, so that each team included boys and girls with a mixture of pupils from Year 9 up to upper sixth. Not only were the crews competing for the Christmas pudding prize, in a new tradition they were also competing for the prize of ‘best dressed crew’. And the pupils did not disappoint! With crews representing teams Elf, Santa Clause, Snowman, Gingerbread, Nativity, Tinsel, Christmas tree and Rudolph, there was wonderful Christmas spirit around the boathouse.
A huge thank you must go to the parents and supporters who worked hard all morning to prepare warm food, mulled wine and refreshments for the spectators and helped to create such an enjoyable event and wonderful atmosphere at the boathouse.
After the initial knock out round, four teams progressed through to the grand final: four ergos, four teams, 2000m on the clock and all crew members required to compete. After some tense change-overs and a lot of cheering from the parents and supporters, it was a very close finish. Congratulations goes to Team Gingerbread who took the 2019 Pudding Race Trophy after a phenomenal finish on the ergo by team captain Tom Marwood (Team: Tom Marwood, Alfie Evans, William Mann, Edward Newton, Seraphina Leppard, Oliver Albel Stevenson, Sam Williams and Lauren McAuliffe). Congratulations also goes to Team Tinsel, captained by Ollie Olby, who won the best dressed team competition.
Miss Blaikie (Director of Rowing)
Scroll down to view a photo gallery from the 2019 Christmas Pudding Races.
2019 Christmas Pudding Races