Rowing News

It was a great relief to be back on the River Severn following a winter of floods and COVID-19 which kept us off the water most of last season. Rowers were a little rusty after the six-month break but everyone has settled in well and the pupils are rediscovering their love of being on the water. 

Perfect conditions throughout most of September have allowed us to run river sessions for our Year Nine beginners, right through to our Sixth Form Sculling Club. Higher than usual numbers in the Senior Squad (Year Eleven to Upper Sixth) have also given us the opportunity to field three eights of J16 boys, Sixth Form girls and Sixth Form boys. Our Year Tens, who had very little water time in their beginner year, have made rapid progress and are ready to move into fine singles – if the river allows!

The wildlife on the river has also been superb and our rowers and coaches have spotted otters, kingfishers and little egrets, as well as the more usual cormorants, seagulls and the resident family of mink.

There are currently no external fixtures as we are awaiting the go-ahead from British Rowing for racing to begin. However, with the pressure of competition lifted, our rowers have been able to focus on perfecting their technique and building up their strength and fitness and we will be ready to race when the time comes.

Our Lower School Rowing Club resumed last week offering our Year Seven and Eight pupils coaching on the rowing machines. Over 70 pupils signed up for the Club and we are extending the Club into the Lent term to allow everyone the opportunity to take part. The target for this term is to row to Lapland!

Mrs Jane Sullivan, Head of Rowing