St Neots Regatta 2012 latest victim of appalling weather

It is with real sadness that St Neots Rowing Club had to take the decision to cancel its two-day regatta planned for the weekend of 21-22 July 2012. The regatta meadow where the event is run from is just too waterlogged to allow access of any sort, and the river is flowing too fast. Added to which the weather forecast for the coming week won’t allow the meadow to dry out sufficiently, and it would be unsafe to run the regatta.

This would have been a bumper regatta for the club as there were many new sponsors keen to sponsor some 450 races across the weekend. And the entry was over-subscribed so there were clearly many clubs wanting to compete.

The club has received many messages from clubs who were looking forward to the weekend, including Isle of Ely whose captain said that they all look forward to our regatta, ‘not only for the excellent racing but it’s one of the nicest regattas on the circuit – well organised, brilliant atmosphere, not to mention Pimms O’Clock announcements – a very empty next weekend – such a shame! But, although a hard decision, nice to see that as expected, St Neots looking out for the safety and enjoyment of all involved’. Peterborough Rowing Club’s John Canton commented ‘this is indeed very sad news and it is extraordinary how many events have fallen victim to the weather this year. Our members look forward to your regatta and it is always our biggest turn-out away from home. I can appreciate that this will also be a blow to your club which I know works very hard to run what is a major regatta weekend.’

This is the latest in a series of rowing events that have had to be cancelled during the 2012 sprint racing season and it is very frustrating for both seasoned and novice rowers of all ages. St Neots’ ladies novice four are particularly frustrated as they were hoping to lose their novice status at their home regatta this year.

Many hours have already been put in by the club’s regatta committee to plan and co- ordinate the weekend, but they will re-group and begin planning next year’s regatta with all fingers very much crossed for better weather.

Efforts will now be focused on planning the Small Boats Head Races taking place on Sunday 7 October as the next fundraising opportunity for the club, albeit on a smaller scale.

The club would like to thank all those sponsors who had come forward to support their local rowing club and we hope to be able to work with them as we look ahead to the 2013 regatta.

Club Chairman Edward Porteus said:

The regatta is the most important event of the year for our club and having to cancel is a major blow. It is a very popular event and crews travel some distance to take part. It is the biggest fund raiser for the club, generating much needed income to maintain the boathouse and boats, and losing this income is devastating.’

St Neots crew row on the Olympic course

Three St Neots crews had a taste of Olympic fever when they took to the water last Sunday. With just seven weeks until the world’s sporting focus is firmly on the London 2012 Olympic Games, Dorney Lake, Eton, the venue for canoeing and rowing events, hosted the Marlow Regatta over the two days. This gives athletes and spectators alike a unique opportunity to race and visit the facility, before it becomes the backdrop to an exciting two weeks of Olympic competition.

Two women’s crews and a men’s single took part in the 1,000 metre race on Sunday, when conditions had thankfully calmed down from the previous day. Club Captain, Alistair Mackie, was the first to race in a heat for the Intermediate 3 single sculls category, coming in fifth.  Next to race was the women’s Masters D coxed four with Helen Knowles at stroke, Lynne Taylor, Sarah Davies and Ali Brown at bow, coxed by Rachel Tackley, in a straight final. The ladies had a strong sprint start and finished in third place, just 11 seconds behind the winning crew. The women’s Novice coxed four were next to race in a straight final with four other crews, with Rachel Tackley at stroke, Lynne Taylor, Louise Rushworth and Ali Young, coxed by Ali Brown. The ladies again had a strong start and finished fourth, having pulled back strongly against the leading crews, and well ahead of the last crew.

Club Captain Alistair Mackie said:

It was a relief that the conditions were calmer and we were all able to enjoy competing on the Olympic course in the Olympic year. We could all dream that we were Olympians for a short while!  It was great to see the work going on in preparation for an amazing spectacle. And all this starts just one week after St Neots Rowing Club’s own version”

New boats named at St Neots Rowing Club

Members of St Neots Rowing Club gathered on Sunday to officially name three new racing boats recently purchased by the club. The main body of funding toward the three craft came from a £10k grant from Sport England organised by Helen Knowles on behalf of the club. A second and very special contribution came as a legacy from the family of the late Eric Davies who enjoyed a long history with the club. The rowing club provided the balance of funds to pay for these valued boats.

  • ‘Eric’s Legacy’ is a double scull and was named by his son Robin, who is also currently President of the club.
  • The second boat is a single scull named after the club’s first World Champion Jacqui Round, and was unveiled by her after a fantastic eulogy from her former coach and Vice Chairman of the club, Martyn Rooney.
  • The third boat, a single scull named ‘Diamond’ in recognition of the Queen’s Jubilee, was unveiled by Nick Shorten, Junior Captain.

Pictured- Robin Davies (Background) Jacqui Round and Nick Shorten (Foreground) Photograph by Mick Staddon

The club also recently received a grant from St Neots Town Council under the Grant Aid scheme, which was doubled by the club to purchase a set of sculling blades for its new junior members to use.

Members of the senior squad will be in action this coming Sunday at the National Masters event held at the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham.

Pictured – Robin Davies unveiling Eric’s Legacy Photographs by Mick Staddon