Head or the River 2009

Conditions were perfect for this year’s Head of the River; the sun was out and the Thames was silky. This year’s crew consisted of Jennifer (cox), James Rowe (Stroke), James May, Mike, myself, Sandy, Gordie, Steve and Andy (bow).

Starting in position 171 we were looking for a good result. I was just pleased to be there and to get to row the whole course after the cancellation of my last entry due to bad conditions. The enormity and atmosphere of the event hit me as we rowed into our marshaling position. We formed one of several hundred crews that lined either side of the river from near Hammersmith to Kew.

At the 11.15 the tide turned and the first divistion set off and we sat and watched the best of the best fly down the middle of the river. After another half an hour of jostling for position by the bank our division moved past the start. Once there we turned and set off in number order.

We set off flat out for two minutes and kept ground on the crew ahead. Not having raced the course before I was apprehensive of how much effort was required and where to put it it. Jennifer did a superb job my calling for regulate pushed or concentration on stroke parts. Nearing Hammersmith we caught and overtook another crew; I’d have liked to have seen that from the bridge. The finish from Hammersmith was further than I’d anticipated but I got a boost as we headed past the boat houses in Putney. There’s something special about racing past there and having your crew name called out.

Our race result of 199 left us all disappointed but our time of 19.40 was respectable. Only 15 seconds covered the gap to 150 and the number of uni crew this year was huge. Whatever people thought I thought we rowed well and I enjoyed the race.