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Ross Regatta 2023
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The highlight of our year!
Welcoming visitors from near and far, rowers and spectators, campers and residents.
A huge THANK YOU to sponsors, competitors, umpires, volunteers and visitors. We loved it, and hope you did too.
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Dragon Boats
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The club kicked off the weekend with the annual dragon boat racing on Saturday.
Fancy dress and festival atmosphere, thank you all for coming.
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Regatta Prep
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It takes a lot of planning and people to get the regatta ready. Its a miracle really…
A huge round of applause to everyone and thank you again.
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And they’re off…
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In full swing, Sunday and Monday, under cloudy but mostly dry skies, saw a fantastic display of racing, eating, drinking, camping, chatting and generally having a great time.
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The Boatles
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Our fabulously named band played a brilliant set and got everyone jumping.
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The Tea Tent
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Always a highlight, the amazing baking and cooking done by club volunteers kept our visitors full and happy.
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The Barbecue
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Over 750 luxury burgers from Hanks Meat and Game, our award winning local butchers, cooked to perfection by the barbecue team under the expert supervision of Jack, our Barbecue Supremo. Apologies for no live photos – people too busy cooking or eating to take photos!!
But burgers carry on on Friday evenings at the club and here is a view from there…
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And the winners are…
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Winners had the option of a traditional “pot” or a new reusable cooler bottle.
Full list of RRC winners below and thanks to Nick H, soon to feature in the Ross Gazette too.
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Wins for Ross
Women
Competing on Sunday at Ross Regatta (W Mas D 4+), the crew of Sheron Dean-Lucas, Nicky Wild, Ellen Phelps and Alice Simon, coxed by Bryn Hughes (kindly stepping in for Sally Pettipher who caught Covid at the last minute) won against a very strong Worcester crew.
Competing on Monday in the W Mas B/C 4+, crew of Sheron Dean-Lucas, Alison Barker, Ellen Phelps and Alice Simon (again coxed by Bryn Hughes) won the semi final against a strong Bristol Ariel B crew, and then won the final against a good Llandaff B crew, by 1 3/4 lengths.
That crew pictured above
Competing on Monday in the W Mas E4x crew of Karen Thorpe Williams , Sarah Sykes , Nicky Wild & Chris Crowhurst won the semi final against Monmouth going on to Win the final against Evesham
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On Monday a Quad of older junior women raced as adults in a Open Women’s race, Sumayya Alalami, Imogen Bell, Annabel Pope and Fliss Cox beat Hereford by 1 1/2 lengths.
Pictured earlier.
Men
The men entered several events. There was some close and thrilling racing, often going right down to the wire. However there was only one win, the Masters D 4+ of George Smith, Steve Randall, Graham Watling and Dave Sykes, coxed superbly by Lucy Burden. The race was so close for most of the course that Lucy and the opposing cox were level eye to eye!
Juniors
On Sunday – Fliss Cox in her U16 W1x beat Staines in her heat, Stratford in the semi-final and Liverpool Victoria in the final. Great work Fliss!
In Band 2 of the J14 2x Jacob Fitzpatrick and Milo Russell beat City of Bristol.
Pictured earlier
On Monday Jacob and Milo teamed up with Ollie Stevens and Finn Clatworthy and cox Lilly McLead to compete as a J14 4x+ beating Evesham by 4 lengths
The WJ15 2x of Leah Cotton and Faith Thorpe-Williams beat Evesham by 5 lengths
and finally, Ollie Smith, beat Bewdley in the U15 semi-final
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Starting Well
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Over the last 2 to 4 months the club’s beginner rowers have shown exceptional dedication and remarkable progress in their journey to master the art of rowing. Despite starting with little to no experience, their determination and hard work have led to significant achievements that deserve recognition.
In just a short span of time, these novice rowers have learned the basics of rowing technique, boat handling, and teamwork. During practice sessions and on-the-water drills, it has been inspiring to witness their growth.
Congratulations to George Gilbert , Bronia Bendall, Pam Manwaring & Sara West coxed by Chris Crowhurst, pictured below.
Sam Purton , Michelle Sterry , Bianca Briasc , & Gill White , coxed by Beth Morris, pictured earlier.
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Adaptive Racing
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Our newest adaptive rowers, Sue Wheeler and Rowena Pollock, lost out to a stronger crew from Stratford, but recorded a huge victory for Ross in being able to showcase people with disabilities to row, compete and have a great time.
Both crews pictured below
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More #rossregatta pics
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So many great photos sent through that are not featured already so here is a montage of the rest. Some crackers in there.
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@rossrowingclub
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Mousey – Marc Russell – has done a great job of uniting our social media under one tag. Wherever you are you can tag Ross Rowing Club or search for what we’re doing using @rossrowingclub
We are active on Instagram, Facebook and X/Twitter
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Friday Night Evenings
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OMG how beautiful is our club …
This a Friday evening from the bank while enjoying bar and burgers.
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Juniors at Gloucester
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Earlier in August there were great races from RRC at other regattas. Gloucester was the day before Ross so a busy weekend for our juniors who raced there.
Well done to Milo and Jacob who raced Hereford in the J14 2x semi-final and finished in a dead heat. They had to row back to the beginning and do it all over again, feeling pretty shattered. Sadly they lost out in the re-row but we all take our hats off to them, a rowers worst nightmare a dead heat.
Next up was Milo and Max in the J14 1x (Band 2). Milo beat his oppo from Glos by 4 lengths to set up a Ross v Ross final against Max. It was Max’s first ever singles event. Milo got a good start and kept the pressure on until the finish line, winning by 2 lengths. Good rowing from the boys.
It was now Jacob’s turn in the J14 1x (Band 1). Jacob was awesome in his 1/4 final and won by 1.5 lengths against one of the Hereford boys who had beaten him and Milo earlier. This set up a semi-final v Glos. Sadly it proved a little too far this time and Jacob didn’t make the final – but he can be very proud of himself for his herculean efforts.
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Stourport
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Earlier in August a number of Ross crews competed at Stourport.
The best news was George Smith winning his first pot in decades – yes DECADES – along with Steve Randall in their pair.
An older pair of Dave Sykes and Graham Watling won in their race too on Sunday.
Ollie Smith, son of George, nearly made it a double, by winning his semi-final in a single scull but sadly lost in the final.
Greg Powell and Georgie Lockham lost a contentious mixed doubles, needing a lot of discussion by the umpires before that decision that the opposition hadn’t unfairly impeded them was made. Not sure Greg and Georgie agreed but, the umpire is always right !
Greg, Georgie, Alice Simon and Tom Willis also raced in a mixed quad, losing out this time.
Elsa Sykes and Annabel Pope won a good heat but lost in the semi-final.
Mike Jones was as stylish as ever but lost out in his single.
The Women’s 4+ of Alice Simon, Ellen Phelps, Alison Barker, Sheron Dean-Lucas and cox Sally Pettipher won against Bewdley in a very close and tough race.
Three of that crew went on to win against Worcester in a Quad, well done Ellen, Sarah Sykes, Alison and Sheron.
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Steps Progress
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‘Tim the Rubble Rouser’ taking two steps at a time!
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Junior Summer Camp
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It was the last week in July so a while ago now, but a great week as ever, and thanks to all the volunteer coaches and launch drivers.
Here are a few photos from race day and a photo of the older boys 4+ with Elliot Ball ( a much older boy!), Ollie Smith, Tom Clatworthy and Dom Gabb coxed by Gracie Jones.
Thanks to Imogen Bell for her photography.
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Great Ouse Marathon
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This has just happened Sunday 3rd September, and was a fantastic success. Well done to all the Ross crews who competed, and special congratulation to the women’s quad that WON. Great time of 1hr 48min.
Go Girls – Go Ross
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Five crews from the Senior section departed from the club on Saturday afternoon, all geared up for Great Ouse Marathon, with their boats carefully loaded and ready for the long journey ahead. Fortunately, with wonderful weather conditions, setting the stage for an enjoyable experience.
In the evening, the crews gathered to prepare themselves both mentally and physically for the challenging day of racing ahead. Proper nourishment and hydration were essential, and they made sure to fuel up adequately in the local pub which was a short walk away in the village .
The food was so incredible that they wondered how they would ever fit back into their racing gear on Sunday!Back at their hotel, a few of the crew members engaged in various fun activities. However, George fulfilled a dare during this time, but the details of the dare are left to George to explain.
After a hearty breakfast, fueled and ready for the day ahead the crews headed off into the crisp morning, indicative of a day full of promise. However, the initial chill was soon dispelled by the warm embrace of the sun, closely followed by the sun cream There was no wasting time , the crews were boated and they were off !
This Marathon was not without its challenges.During the race, all the crews had to make an unexpected stop. Weeds had clung to their rudders, slowing down their progress. These pit stops required swift action and teamwork to remove the impediments and get back on course.
Results
Ladies Masters C Quad stroked by Geraldine , supported by two beginner ladies , Bronia Bendall & George Gilbert , steered by Buffy emerged victorious in their group. They faced formidable competition from Bedford and the Isle of Ely, but their outstanding performance resulted in a triumphant finish with a remarkable time of 1 hour and 48 minutes
This achievement is a testament to their dedication and team work , absolutely fabulous contribution from our Beginners, ( George could try just a bit harder ) having only been rowing for 4 months. OUTSTANDING Well done Ladies
Men’s 2- Graham & Dave In the men’s category, the competition was fierce, and the team performed exceptionally well, securing a second-place finish. They closely trailed behind the formidable Star Club in a time of 1.50
Loughborough took the third Woman’s Masters E Quad Crew Pam , Sarah , Nicky & Chris completed the course in 2.00 raising approximately £1,000 for their chosen charities .
The Big Tims completed course time only,1.55
Composite crew of Mike & Mel completed the course in 2.13 .
What a fabulous weekend! Congratulations to all the participants for their remarkable achievements in this challenging event .We look forward to the blisters next year and more crews joining us !!
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And all that after crashing a wedding party the night before.
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Ross 10k
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Delighted to host the annual Ross 10k run last weekend. Looked like a great success.
As a Facebook post said: “It’s a fabulous day at the RRC today for the annual Ross 10k, 5k and fun run (with or without dogs).”
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Club Socials ????
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Friday evenings are Barbecue at the club from 6pm
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GREG’s 30th – this Friday but normal crowd very welcome, its not private
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Farewell Annabel and Sally
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This is your editorial team of Annabel and Sally, and this is our last edition.
Actually we have a far wider team sending photos and updates and we just amass, plug a few holes, and send out to the club newsletter circulation.
If a guest editor could step in for a monthly round up, or a weekly snapshot, we would be delighted – contact either of us in person, on Spond or by emailing weeklynews@rossrowingclub.co.uk
Thank you
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And Finally… Mike on a Bike
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For the live Webcam showing current river levels – hit the button below.
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Ross Rowing Club welcomes new rowers, young and old, beginners, experienced or returners.
We welcome campers and visitors, and have occasional opportunities to hire our clubhouse and grounds.
Key contacts:
EDITOR
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