By Miss Harris (Head of Rowing)
Last weekend was another busy one in the Boat Club at BGS, with crews from all year groups competing.
On Saturday 21st June, we headed to one of our most prestigious events on the racing calendar, Henley Women’s Regatta. Each year more than 2,000 rowers - juniors, student athletes, club, and international level rowers - travel from all over the UK and across the world to compete on the rowing world’s most iconic stretch of the River Thames.
This year we entered a 1st VIII in the Peabody Cup and a quad racing for the Bea Langridge Trophy. All classes are highly competitive but this year saw a huge increase in crews entered in the quad category meaning 47 entries being cut to 16 through an initial time trial. Our athletes came off the water having accomplished a performance they should be proud of, but did not make qualification. Well done to Carys for taking on steering between the booms!
The eight executed a great race in a closely contested trial placing them 10th overall, this performance put them through to the knockout stages of the regatta. We drew the current national champions Shiplake College in the first round. After a spirited start from our crew, we held level with Shiplake to the end of Temple Island before they stepped away from us. Regardless, this was some solid racing experience gained, and our crew also had the unique experience of a Spitfire flypast while sitting on the start line.
Congratulations to all athletes selected to race at Henley Women’s Regatta.
1st VIII: M. Folbigg (cox), K. Farquhar, R. McGregor, E. Mullan, Z. Breed, E. Hayward, E. Dyall, E. Blake, I. Moretto
Quad: C. Roberts, L. Sonsino, M. Ibbott, R. Lock
On Sunday, we returned to the Thames Valley to compete at Thames Valley Park Regatta. Despite challenging windy conditions that caused delays and the cancellation of some finals, the event delivered another fantastic day of racing over a sprint 500m course.
There were numerous excitingly close races especially in the WJ18 2x, WJ15 4x+, and WJ15 4+, as well as two excellent wins from the WJ18 4+ and WJ16 4+.
Again, our thanks also go to the Friends of BGS Rowing, and all supporters that travel to the events.
We now look forward to our last couple of weeks of the 2025 regatta season and wish our 1st VIII the very best of luck as they compete at the Henley Royal Regatta Qualifying races this Friday. We are also excited to see our J14 and J15 squads race at Peterborough Junior Regatta on Saturday.
