Sunday 24 February 2013

Tyne Head

A wise man once said "there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather".
 

As light streamed through my window on the morning of Tyne Head (23/02/2013) I despised that man. Snow had been streaming from the sky for hours and the met office predicted that it wasn't going to stop any time soon. Commitment held fast in the Club though and even if spirits weren't high initially, they were certainly roused upon the publication of the results in the evening. 

 

Tyne Head was a resounding success for GCBC, and we left that icy industrial wasteland holding our heads high. Not only did the Mens Eight win their category with a solid thirty-second lead, they also came sixth overall. The Women's Squad came through with excellent results also. The Women's Four came in at a solid second and the Eight trounced ten boats in an emphatic performance that ranked them third. The level of effort evident in the Women’s squad bodes well for their upcoming appearance at the prestigious WoHORR.

 

Specials mentions must be awarded to: Tim Long for his exceptional work as stroke man, Imogen Waktare for her unwavering commitment in the face of the perilous M1, to the handsome fellow wearing the stag hat at number six seat for outstanding head gear, to Jonny Davies, George Hutchinson and Josh Goswell for their technical expertise and resilient support from the bank despite the weather, to Thea Vukasinovic, for stepping in as a substitute last minute, to Sarah Kumeta, for making the major calls in the Women’s Eight (there have been some technical difficulties with the coxbox) and Jenny Rollins, whose wealth of knowledge and motivational calls kept the Women’s Four together and strong throughout the gruelling 5.1km. To you brave men and women we offer our eternal gratitude.

 

 

Below there is an edited HD video of the Men’s race, as viewed from Stroke's rigger. Please enjoy at your leisure.

 

Also follow this link to find the results: http://www.tynerowingclub.org/pages/tyne_head_156798.cfm. 

 

Sn


Durham Small Boats Head



Durham Small Boats Head

River Wear, Durham
1.8km Head Race

17th February 2013

As a result of the inclement weather earlier this term Durham Small Boats Head was postponed to the 17th February. Unfortunately this was the day after the Grey College Boat Club Ball.
                            
Durham Amateur Rowing Club organised the race which attracted over 200 crews competing across 4 divisions. Grey College entered 6 crews and understandably we opted to race in the later divisions.

The day brought some fine rowing conditions and all the crews raced well despite many feeling the effects of the night before and a few steering issues involving Elvet Bridge.


Women's Crews
Lucy Wilson (cox), Helen Sandford, Katherine Williamson, Jemima Benstead, Jess Walker
Lucy Wilson (cox), Anna Hughes, Sarah Kumeta, Georgie Eccles, Jess Walker
 Heather Chung (cox), Sophie Johnson, Amy Womersley, Helen Sandford, Natalie Walter
Heather Chung (cox), Pip Davis, Ellie Snell, Hannah Greenshields, Jenny Rollins


Men's Crews
Imogen Waktare (cox), Jonny Davies, Steve Bennett, Sn McArdell, George Bushell
Rebecca Moore (cox), Chris Barrett, Tim Long, Alex Maxwell, James Huskisson

photo by Northern Rowing
photo by Northern Rowing






James Huskisson

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Grey College Boat Club Ball

Every year around about early February a very special mood descends upon GCBC. Its a mood of excitement for most, but for those few, to whom we are eternally thankful, fear and manic activity are the watch words of the day. The cause of such a diverse spectrum of emotion is of course the illustrious annual Boat Club Ball, which was held again on the 16th February and widely mooted as yet another rousing success.
           This year special thanks go out to the outgoing Social Secretaries Max Almeida and Chris Barrett. Without their dedication and diligence the Ball, which is the major event for toasting the hard work of outgoing executive office holders, wishing the new holders of those offices good luck and welcoming our much missed alumni back, could not have been such a success.
            Prizes were given, spoons were painted, space hoppers were hopped and there was dancing and merriment all about. However, it must be said, these are symptoms of the actual importance of the Ball. The Ball is a celebration of the longevity and camaraderie of our venerable Club, that even years later maintains the loyalty and dedication of its members. I cannot pass this point by without mentioning the very epitome of this dedication and spirit: Michael Cannon. Year in and year out Michael provides the club with advice and encouragement, not to mention his role in paving the way with the rowing clubs where we hold our Easter rowing camp. Michael, we thank you.
            The Club's gratitude is also extended to those other familiar faces that took the time out of their busy and successful careers to support GCBC. No one believes that you just came back for Klute. It was a fantastic turn out and for this we thank you also.
            Before signing off, thanks must be also extended to BeTempted cupcakes and Woven suits, who both kindly donated to the raffle, to Ernst & Young, who also donated to the raffle but have been most generous to the Club all year and of course to The Three Tuns Hotel, who graciously put up with us and provided such great food and service.

Good luck to all the new exec and all the best to the alumni,
Until next year,
Sn










Tuesday 19 February 2013

Hayward Cup



Hayward Cup

River Tees, Stockton
4.2km Head Race

16th February 2013

Due to the placement of this race with Boat Club Ball and Durham Small Boats moved to the same weekend we only sent the Senior Men's VIII.
                            
This race was organised by the two Stockton Colleges- John Snow and Stevenson. They were efficient on the day although the two launches they rented broke leaving our boys sat at the start for an hour!

 Our top VIII (although as a 75kg boat, not quite a 
suitable choice for a mens crew but Eric Halliday 
is still being fixed at Browns for 22/02/2013)


Crew
Rebecca Moore (cox), Tim Long, Steve Bennett, Sn McArdell, George Bushell,
Jonny Davies, Chris Barrett, James Huskisson, Alex Maxwell. 

The final 300m after Infinity Bridge. GO FOR HOME GREY!

Results
The race isn't organised as Novice, IM3, IM2 etc. It is by top college
boat. Our crew races Novice and dominated last term at York Small
Boats Head (IVs), Senate (IVs) and Rutherford (VIII).

In comparison over the 5km race at Rutherford we were 20s off
Hatfield's Hudson (top boat) and at Hayward we were 8s off.

Crew College Race Time
4 TEE 13.35 WINNER 1st Mens
19 TEE 13.37
2 Cuths 13.44
16 Aidans 14.01
18 HAT 14.08
8 Grey 14.14
1 VM 14.19
3 Colling 14.42
5 Hat 2 14.51 WINNER 2nd 
20 Snow 14.52
7 Stevo 15.2
17 Castle 15.29
21 castle 2 16.16

Imogen Waktare