Rowers welcome impressive alumni back to the boathouse

The build up to National Schools Regatta is always an exciting time at the King’s School Rowing Club (KSRC) Boathouse but the excitement went up a notch this year when we welcomed back two of our rowing alumni over the course of one weekend. 

On Friday, 19 May, Pat Hanratty (OKS 2013) visited the Boathouse in partnership with Square Blades, a rowing-inspired lifestyle brand based in Chester.

Pat, who is well known to many of our rowers from his popular YouTube channel, filmed the boys’ and girls’ VIIIs who were wearing their brand new Square Blades zephyrs. We are looking forward to seeing the edited footage which will be used in a promotional film for the rowing club and for Square Blades. 

The students used the opportunity to chat to Pat about his hugely popular rowing vlogs that he recorded in the run up to his win with Thames Rowing Club in the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley last year.     

On Sunday, there was more excitement when Chris Bartley (OKS 2002), returned to the club to deliver a masterclass coaching session to four of our rowers.

Chris is a double Olympian and rowed in the Great Britain men’s lightweight coxless four. Since leaving King’s, he has gone on to become world champion, Olympic silver medallist, and European silver medallist.  Chris is now a senior coach at Radley College and performance coach at Reading University.

David Blackham, Director of Rowing said: “In the build up to National Schools’, Chris and Pat’s visits have been a huge boost to the athletes.

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome them both back to the Boathouse and I know that the students really enjoyed meeting two alumni who went on to achieve so much in the sport of rowing.”