Rowing: Shrewsbury Regatta

A glorious morning awaited Kings School Rowing Club (KRSC) on Sunday, 7 May at the Shrewsbury Regatta where the short course along the River Severn played host to 31 racing crews from the KSRC.

In the morning division, seven coxed quads, four fours and six VIIIs raced in stunning conditions against regional competition including our hosts, Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC).

Over the course of the day, the team secured four category wins, including the women’s J15 VIII, and the women’s J18 VIII who also beat RSSBC by ¾ length to win their category.

For our J14 crews this was their first experience of regatta racing.

The girls J14 coxed quad made it through to the plate final, but narrowly lost to King’s School Worcester. The J15 boys also made it through to the plate final of the coxed quad but were narrowly beaten by another crew from the same school.

KSRC entered two J15 boys’ VIIIs in a match up against RSSBC. The J15 boys B crew were victorious against RSSBC’s B crew, but the A crew fell short by only one length. Both crews fought incredibly hard and learned lots of lessons which they will take forward when they race at National Schools Regatta on Friday, 26 May.

In the afternoon division, six coxed quads, two fours, four VIIIs, a double and single scull represented KSRC.

Two J15 VIIIs raced in another match up against RSSBC and both were triumphant; a fantastic result for the women’s J15 team who will head to National Schools Regatta confident they can deliver a strong performance.

There were also notable performances from the J14 boys coxed quads with one of the crews making it through to the semi-final of the plate competition, and both of the women’s J15 coxed quads who were successful in reaching the semi-finals.

Director of Rowing, David Blackham was impressed with what he saw on the water over the course of the day.

He said: “It was an action packed day with 36 of our rowers leaving the regatta with medals.

“Many thanks to the RSSBC for being great hosts with brilliant match ups throughout the day in the VIIIs and fours. It was great race preparation and an invaluable stepping-stone towards the National Schools Regatta in three weeks’ time.”