SCBC

Take the three biggest first boat rowers (and me), a broken IV, bucket rig it and chuck Dave Dufton in the coxes seat and surely you have a recipe for success. Well almost.

It seems very odd to think that just a week and a half prior to now we were picking up our IV from the repairs having not rowed in it since lent term. It really just highlights what a great achievement the levels we reached were.

On the morning of the race everybody was in good spirits, the sun was out and it wasn't obscenely early. As we embarked on the long train journey to Henley the banter was rife. Anti American, anti ginger, anti northern and anti Julian, all good fun of course. When traveling from Kings Cross to Paddington Julian decided to check he had everything. He did not have an all-in-one. Perfect. This provided us with more than sufficient banter for the rest of the day.

On arrival in Henley we met some Clare guys competing in the temple, who we were sharing a trailer with. Nowhere to be seen. So we started walking the course, and trying to find Julian some race kit. A short stroll along the course and the trailer arrived so we went to unload. No stands selling race kit, so Julian had to beg a member of clare for an all-in-one, and Adam for his spare tech top. He looked like a selwyn rower again in no time.

We boated about an hour before our races to ensure sufficient time to grow accustomed to the conditions, get a decent warm up in and be at the start line in plenty of time. A few bursts and practice starts later the wind was beginning to pick up, producing a strong head wind. We decided to let this rhythm us off the start as it had proved highly successful in training when rowing into a strong headwind. The focus was good as we marshaled. To the level where the only person that noticed Sir Steve Redgrave was marshaling us was Dave, until he pointed it out. Before we knew it we were sat ready under starters orders.

Dave's voice dropped an octave and developed a growl and we were off. Three nicely finished off draw strokes kept the boat perfectly sat into the winds. The winds were a touch wobbly, but served the purpose as we lengthened out to a very strong 37. Dave mad the right call and rhythmed us to a sustainable race pace around 32. As we came out of the shelter of temple island we were hit by a relentless headwind confirming this was going to be a tough race. The rhythm remained good, responses to pushes were very nice. I can't remember any length of poor rowing for the duration of the race, whilst not perfect, very good for the amount of time we had spent in a boat together. We pushed a big twenty through the 1000m mark. Julians back injury reoccurred around the 1250 mark, but it was unnoticeable with regards to power from where I was sitting, or length from Hunter or Dave's seat. As we moved into the grandstand we began to wind to the finish, first we gained two pips with a legs push, with out sacrificing any rhythm. Then we took it up at the back end, a little scrappier but it did not disrupt the rhythm unduly. Then came the final 10 on the legs... then the final 5... then the final 2... then a couple of strokes later the finish. I think we paced ourselves very well considering the lack of 2k pieces we had done in a IV. Everyone was shot to pieces by the end, but every push that was called right to the end produced the desired response.

After disembarking we took Julian to the medical tent to see if there was anything they could do and waited for results. In no time they were out, did not qualify. We went to check the board. 3rd fastest non-qualifier, just 6 seconds off the fastest. A very positive result. With all 5 of us around next year maybe we can take it one step further.

The day's entertainment did not stop there. After a brief intermission at the local pub we made for the train station. Julian was skulking behind with Debbie. On arrival at the train station we glanced at the board, train didn't leave for another 30 mins. So we hopped on to wait for Julian and Debbie. Then the doors shut and the train pulled out of the station. A small smile played on everyones lips as we realised we had left them in Henley. The next train was not for another hour and twenty minutes apparently. Seems we are not great with times.

All in all a very enjoyable day out, with a great bunch of guys achieving a very decent result. The target next year has to be to go a little further and get a Selwyn boat in Henley Royal for the first time in a while.