The Chronicle 682

46 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Rowing By Adam Moffatt, Head of Rowing

Saskia Ward, Isabel Llabrez Diaz, Isabella Makepeace and Meara James

Autumn Term The Boat Club was able to welcome most of the boys across all year groups for at least a few weeks of rowing which under normal circumstances would not have happened until the Spring Term. This allowed rowers to work on their skills in smaller boats and enjoy some decent water. The senior boys and girls set about their normal training routine unsure as to when their first race would be, though there was still plenty to aim for. A virtual race was arranged between St Edward’s, Radley, Shrewsbury, Shiplake, Abingdon and Eton, which involved crews competing on their home stretch of water and taking an average speed over two 1km pieces (one upstream followed by one downstream); the boys’ and girls’ crews finished in an encouraging second place. There was also the first set of GB Junior Trials testing which saw Saskia Ward, Isabel Llabres Diaz, Isabella Makepeace, Josh Brangan, Max Ebner, Will White, Rory McDonnell and Will Cruddas all make the required time on the ergo to progress to the next assessment. Due to Covid, GB Rowing decided later in the year not to send a team to the World Championships. A camp at the end of term for the senior rowers allowed a week’s solid training before

pupils headed home for a well-earned break; not quite the same as our normal warm weather camp in Seville. Spring Term With pupils staying at home due to Covid restrictions and no rowing allowed on the water, the SESBC coaching team set about keeping the rowers fit and motivated. There were Strava running races with Radley College, weekly ergo Zoom sessions and a series of inspiring online talks from some high-profile rowers: Debbie Flood (double Olympic medallist), Alex Gregory (double Olympic gold medallist and adventurer) and Alex Partridge (double Olympic medallist). They spoke about their route into rowing and some of their highs and lows during their sporting journey, which included some great advice on handling pressure and most importantly enjoying the opportunities which open up. SESBC also entered the school event ‘Teddies to Tokyo’ which saw the Boat Club cover 9600km, taking the victory in just over four weeks! During the term we also said goodbye to our Senior Girls’ Coach, Tristan Mayglothing, who accepted a role as Head of Rowing at Dulwich College. Tristan is an excellent coach who put his all into developing girls’ rowing

at St Edward’s and we wish him all the best in the next stage of his career. However, this provided an opportunity for a new face to lead the senior girls and we are delighted to welcome Natasha Townsend who, having rowed at two Olympics and coached at Oxford University, is a fantastic addition to the team (see page 13). Summer Term With Covid easing slightly it allowed SESBC to have a productive and enjoyable term of rowing. The Shells and 15s continued to work on their small boat skills and had the opportunity to jump into some Octos and Eights for private fixtures with Reading Blue Coat, Shiplake, Radley, Pangbourne, Abingdon and Eton. These fixtures were completed over short distances and allowed all those competing to get some close racing and, for many, their first experience of racing another school. Particular credit goes to the Shell girls who, in only one term of rowing on the water, have made excellent progress. We are looking forward to seeing them next year as J15s. As restrictions continued to ease, the boys’ 1st VIII, girls’ 1st 4X and girls’ J16 2X were able to compete at the National Schools’ Regatta. The event was held behind