News
Autumn 2008
Records Tumble at Northwich Autumn Head
Northwich Head of the River saw records fall this weekend as Olympic Silver Medallist Matthew Langridge was joined by GB internationals and Northwich Rowing Club members Will and George Laughton and Leander Club member Adam Moffatt took part in the annual Autumn race.
The crew, which attracted crowds to the riverbank in spite of the weather, raced the second division in an elite coxless four where they set a course record by completing the 2350 metre stretch of the river Weaver in just 7 minutes and 32 seconds.
However, this wasn't the fastest time of the day which was set in the final division by the same crew racing in an elite quad. The crew chased their Agecroft opposition down the river and although they didn't manage to overtake them, the final times showed they completed the course in 7 minutes, 24 seconds. A credible four seconds ahead of their opposition.
It's testament to just how quick the elite crews were going that the next crew on the final time sheet was over 50 seconds behind them.
This year saw the inaugural presentation of the Tim Hooper Memorial Trophy for the fastest crew of the day. The Northwich/Leander composite were presented with the trophy and their finishing time will be recorded for future crews to strive to beat the time. The time set is not however the fastest ever recorded by a crew on the course between Vale Royal and Hunts Locks. This was set by an elite quad from Royal Chester in 2002 where conditions were extremely fast. Hopefully Matthew will continue to race at Northwich Head Race in the future in an attempt to be the fastest ever club member.
Club spokesperson Rachel Hooper said "It's a great inspiration for everyone racing to see such fast crews in action. There was a real buzz both on and off the river because such great athletes were out racing at our event. We hope they come back next year and try to break the records they have set!"
The event saw record entries this year which meant some crews having to be turned away for the first time. As the popularity of the sport grows following the Olympics, Northwich Rowing Club have seen more people are taking up rowing and enjoying the opportunity to train with an Olympic medallist.
The club were out in force and clocked a total of six wins over the three divisions. Single scullers Jamie Leighton and Rhian Wynne took the Senior two and Women's senior three titles respectively. The Veteran E coxed four of Neville Hand, Simon Bannister, Mike Francis, Brian Roberts and Cox Clare Briegal beat their nearest opposition by over half a minute.
The Junior crew of Alex Riddell, Tom Curwell, George Clarke and Max Andrews raced at senior level to finish an impressive fifth overall for the day and 24 seconds in front of their nearest opposition to take the Senior Four title.
George Musker Award presented to Olympian Matt
Northwich Rowing Club recognised the contributions and achievements of members and athletes at their annual award ceremony with the prestigious George Musker trophy being awarded to Olympic silver medallist Matthew Langridge. The award is still the most important award given to a club member for their skill, dedication and achievements in rowing over the year and this year, the undeniable winner could only be the one with an Olympic medal! The club’s most successful athlete ever has returned to his roots to train at his original club for the coming months.
The George Musker Trophy, a decorated and inscribed oar, was introduced in 1980 to commemorate George Musker, Boatman at the club for 40 years. George spent the whole of his working career lasting more than 50 years associated with the River Weaver. He was introduced to the rowing club by his father in law, William Dutton, helping him to keep the boats and boathouse in good order and succeeding him in 1930 as the club's Boatman. On his death in 1979 aged 87 the club introduced the annual award, a fitting tribute to George's expertise, efficiency and loyalty over the years.
On receiving the award, Matthew spoke of how much he had appreciated the support the club had shown him in the past and how he is looking forward to training back at his home club for the beginnings of his preparation for the London 2012 Olympics.
The awards commenced with a boat naming ceremony where the new club double scull was named 'Tim Hooper' in memory of umpire, safety officer and friend to the club who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Club Chairman Simon Bannister recognised the efforts of the club treasurer Andy Mallins and presented him with the Chairman's award. After five years in post, retiring club captain John Baxter presented the Eddie Phillips trophy to successful Junior 14 girls crew Chloe Weston, Becky Jones, Lizzy Bennett, Beth Wynne and Kate Meehan. The Veteran Award went to National Champions Simon Crouchley, Geoff Sims and Doug Pickup. And Jonty Moore who steered them to their national title took the coxing trophy. The Bill Cotton award for Club person of the year was awarded to Tim Preece.
Long serving club members Kevin Jump and Dave Wilkinson were rewarded for their contribution to the club from the bank being awarded the Simon Crouchley Coaching Award and Grange Cup for Endeavour respectively.
Dee Autum Head sees more club wins
Northwich Rowing Club had their most successful event yet this season, racking up three wins. With some close racing over the four kilometre course on the river Dee in Chester, the novice men's coxed four passed three crews to bring home the title. The crew of Tom Carwell, Jack Palmer, George Clarke, Peter Tolson and cox Jordan Dodd won by almost half a minute over.
The Women's senior four quad of Mary Hunt, Rhian Wynne, Jane Edwards and Ellie Preece won their event by just one second while the veteran E men's four of Nev hand, Mike Francis, Simon Bannister, Steve Wignall and cox Alex Ridell negotiated some unusually rough conditions to catch and pass their opposition to win by over a minute.
Jamie Leighton finished second by half a second after recovering from a collision with floating debris on the course. Rhian Wynne also performed well in the women's Junior 18 single sculls coming second.
Crews will next be performing on home water at the Northwich Head of the River on 15th November
We'll be holding the next quiz night at 7.30pm on Friday the 7th of November at the rowing club. These events have been very popular. This time the questions will have a fireworks theme.
Everyone is welcome, the bar will be open. Cash prizes - £1 per team member, teams of four or less. Come down and show how brainy you are!
CIRCUIT TRAINING IS BACK!
BEGINNING TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4TH
Don't wait until after your Christmas Binge!
Get your New Year's fitness drive in early!
Get in Shape for the Beach in Summer!
NRC Members can come to our absolutely cracking
CIRCUIT TRAINING SESSIONS
for some enthusiastic
jumping up and down, running on the spot etc.
Excercise as hard or as gently as you like in friendly company.
Mid-Cheshire College Gym in Hartford
Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The Gym is open from 4.30 - 8.00 pm to use the exercise equipment and will be supvised by a qualified employee
of Mid Cheshire College.
Circuits for Seniors and Juniors at 6.30pm
£ 2 a time or £ 3 for both sessions per week.
Changing facilities available. Google Map
Go to the main reception door, past the reception desk, through the doors (following signs for gym & fitness suite) and turn left. The gym is straight ahead. The fitness suite is also available for use
Northwest Grudge Match at Agecroft Small Boats Head
This weekend, the 18th of November, saw a grudge match taking place in Salford at Agecroft head of the river. The race over 3 kilometers between crews from The Grange School, Queens Park High School Chester and Northwich Rowing Club saw the local club take the title in the women's under 15 coxed quad. The crew of Anna Cosgrove, Lizzy Bennett, Chloe Weston, Becky Jones and cox Andrew Morrison were delighted by their win by a margin of just four seconds.
The crew hope to secure another win at the Chester Head of the river in a few weeks time.The boys junior section of the club were also represented at Agecroft Head but were not able to secure a victory.
Matthew's Celebrations Continue
Having returned from a well earned holiday, Northwich Rowing Club's Olympic silver medallist Matthew Langridge received a hero's welcome home at the Leander Club victory parade in Henley on Thames on Saturday. The open-top bus parade around the town famous for it's Royal Regatta, arranged by the prestigious club where Matthew trained in preparation for his victory, was followed by an autograph-signing session and a reception for local schoolchildren at the town hall. And he was in good company, joined by 13 other rowing Olympic medallists from the same Club and led by four times gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent.
Matthew returned to the water for the first time since Beijing for a row past with his fellow rowing medallists. In glorious sunshine the rowers paraded through the town were they were greeted by hundreds of well wishers wanting to congratulate the rowers on their proud achievement.
On Thursday this week matt will take part in the Olympic hero's victory parade in London where he will be joined by fellow Olympic stars such as Rebecca Adlington and Chris Hoy on an open top bus, ending with a reception at Buckingham Palace. Matt has yet to decide if he is going to carry on to try and go one better and win Gold in London 2012 but in the mean time he is enjoying a well earned rest.
Runcorn and Chester Wins
Northwich Rowing Club has begun the winter racing season with wins at two events on successive weekends. On their debut race the women's junior 13 coxed quad of Kate Meehan, Samantha Over, Liberty Weltman, Izzy Rowlands and cox Andy Morrison Gave an outstanding performance at Runcorn Small Boats Head on 27th September to win with ease. In a composite crew, Matt Evans and Will Frisk showed potential for the coming year in winning the men's junior 15 double sculls.
This Sunday, the 5th of October, saw more success in difficult conditions at the Chester Long Distance Sculls. Wins came from the women's junior 15 coxed quad of Becky Jones, Beth Wynne, Chloe Weston, Lizzy Bennett and cox Andy Morrison. The women's senior four quad of Clare Briegal, Lydia Barstow, Sophie Mottram and Ellie Preece also won over the four and a half mile course. Unfortunately the men's crews were unable to race due to dangerous conditions on the river Dee during the afternoon division.
Well Done, Matt!
We, at Northwich Rowing Club would have loved to have organized an open top bus to show off our own hero, Matthew Langridge, GB rower, medal winner of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Instead his friends, family and fellow club members gathered at the club to celebrate his superb achievement. An Olympic Silver medal in the Men's Eight.
The evening was a joyous occasion with everyone young and old keen to congratulate the young man, all of us anxious to touch and even wear the silver medal, having a cherished photograph taken with him. The Mayor of Vale Royal Cllr. Malcolm Gaskill & Mayoress, Jo Gaskill and Mike Hall MP were delighted to attend.
Matt was surprised and pleased to receive a special sports recognition award from Vale Royal Borough Council presented by the Mayor. Mike Hall who has followed Matt's development and progress over the past 11 years gave a short poignant and personal speech. However, it was Paul Rafferty, Matt's coach during his club years and close personal friend who during his speech explained Matt's bitter disappointment in failing to win the gold medal but managed to sum up the evening and why we were all there.
"Well Done, Matt"! shouted the cheer from all of us that nearly took the roof off the building.
We all felt very proud at that moment and it will be a night to remember!
Watch this space for 2012!
Matt Langridge Olympic Homecoming Party
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Matt Langridge GB Men's Eight |
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The Club would like to invite
Members, Friends and Family
to Celebrate and raise a glass with Matt on his achievement.
Thursday 11th September 2008
In the clubhouse.
7.30 pm till late.
We hope the local MP Mike Hall and Vale Royal Borough Council Mayor Clln Gaskill will be present.
Poster Invitation (word document)
