News
Winter 2007/2008
Veterans Win at the North of England Head
Northwich Rowing Club Veteran and Junior men's crews raced on Saturday the 8th of March at Chester in the North of England Head of the River Race on the Dee. The two Eights raced the five kilometre distance against a large, competitive entry of crews from across the UK. Both crews raced well over the distance despite the cross tail winds and choppy water.
The Men's Veteran D crew, "The Vintage Vets", won the Veteran Pennant completing the course in 16 mins 43 seconds and were the fastest Eight in the first Division and second fastest boat, the winners being a junior quad from York City. The Eight rowed a strong, powerful race gaining precious seconds by some very positive steering from the experienced coxswain. They beat their opposition Royal Chester RC by 30 seconds. T his crew will now set their sights on the forthcoming challenge to race in the major international event, The Head of the River in London on Saturday the 15th of March on the Thames when they will be joined by a NRC Vet C crew.
The Men's Senior 4 crew was one of ten in their category with entries from within the region and crews from Durham, Lancaster and Salford universities. This young crew had a hard fought race battling bravely in a strong competitive group. They will have gained experience from this tough endurance event completing the course in 18 mins 02 seconds, Durham University S4 being the winner in 15 mins 39 seconds.
- S4 CREW : Alex Hunns, Tom Curwell, George Clarke, Peter Tolson, Matt Evans, Peter Morton, Fraser Dodd, Dan Edge, cox Andrew Morrison
- Vet C CREW: Bob Jepson, Simon Crouchley, Matt Hackett, Geoff Simm, George Perrin, Ray Smith, John Billows, Doug Pickup cox Jonty Moore.
Full results from Royal Chester soon.
A Good Result at the Women's Eights Head of the River
The Women's senior 3 eight traveled to London at the weekend to compete on Saturday the 1st of March in the Women's Eights Head of River Race on the Thames, a grueling 4 and a half miles from Mortlake to Putney. This year the race attracted 236 crews from London & provincial clubs and universities from across the UK also welcoming competitors from Europe.
The women had a hard fought race and were pleased with their strong row having battled with choppy water conditions caused by cross and tail winds. They completed the course in 21 mins 49.74 secs and having a start position at 116 pleasingly finishing 119 th. Crew: Marie Farrow, Nicola Smith, Ellen Preece, Kerry Briggs, Alison Reed, Clare Briegal, Margaret Case Melanie Wakefield cox Jonty Moore.
More photos from Nature's Images
Northwest Junior Time Trial
We hosted the North West Junior Time Trial on Saturday the 1st of March on the River Weaver. This Head race of 1500 metres is open solely to junior crews, the winning crews subsequently selected to represent the Northwest at the Junior Inter Regional Championships held in April in Nottingham. It was a very successful day attracting a large attendance of juniors from 12 clubs in the region, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years.
Racing took place over three divisions through the day and the young athletes coped well with the strong, blustery weather conditions. Trentham RC was the most successful club with wins in all three divisions and totally 6 out of their 7 entries. Northwich RC crews gave good opposition in each division and age category and returned with three wins; MJ18 & MJ16 coxed four and MJ16 coxless four. The MJ18 coxed four had a decisive win over Liverpool Victoria RC and Sir John Deane's College RC in 5 mins 43.6 seconds The NRC WJ16 coxed four crew was beaten by The Grange School RC by 1.1 second in a well matched race.
Winning Crews:
- MJ18coxed four: Matthew Evans, Peter Morton, Fraser Dodd, Daniel Edge, cox Andrew Morrison
- MJ16coxed four: Tom Curwell, Jack Palmer, George Clarke, Peter Tolson, cox Andrew Morrison
- MJ16coxless four: Alex Riddell, Max Andrews, George Clarke, Jack Palmer.
Runcorn Spring Eights
Northwich Rowing Club competed at Runcorn Spring Eights Head of the River Race on Saturday the 23rd of February. Clubs and University crews from the northwest region raced the 6000 metres on the river Weaver in favourable conditions however with a strong, gusting head wind.
NRC composite Men's Vet D eight won their status, fighting off opposition from Grosvenor RC, Trafford RC and Royal Chester RC completing the course in 20 mins 50.16 secs. but were third overall in the 1st Division race being beaten by Liverpool University S3 eight. Crew: Bob Jepson, Simon Crouchley, Matt Hackett, Geoff Simm, George Perrin, Paul Clay, John Billows, Doug Pickup and cox Ella Smith
NRC Women's S3 crew was very pleased with their efforts in the 2nd division despite being beaten by Trafford RC by a mere 4 seconds to finish the course in 25 mins 30.51 secs. The conditions had deteriorated from the morning with a much stronger head wind to battle against. Crew: Marie Farrow, Nicola Smith, Ellie Preece, Kerry Briggs, Alison Reed, Clare Briegal, Margaret Case, Melanie Wakefield, cox Jonty Moore
Both crews competed in this endurance race as a preliminary trial for the forthcoming major events over the reverse Boat Race course on the Thames in London. The Women will be competing in the Women's Head of River Race on Sat 1st March and the Vets will be racing in The Head of the River Race on Sat 15th March and the Veteran's Head the following day.
Full results from Runcorn Rowing Club
FISA Team Cup, Sevilla
Great Britain's men's squad enjoyed a warm up for the season by competing in the FISA Team Cup and the Andalucian International Regatta in Seville, Spain last weekend, 15-17th Feb. Seven crews were entered for each regatta as the GB squad is currently on a two week training camp based in Seville.
Matt Langridge raced both days in the coxless Four with Olympic champion Steve Williams stroking, Alex Partridge, Richard Egington and Matt at Bow. On Saturday they won over a 1000 metres in the FISA Team Cup in 3 mins 10.96 secs beating two Spanish crews in strong head wind conditions. On Sunday the repeated the feat over the 500 metre course, winning in 1.24.19.
The GB Senior Trials will take place in Hazewinkel, Belgium, Friday 7th - Monday 10th of March.
Tim Hooper, Our Reliable Friend on the Riverbank
It is with great sadness that we announce the death Tim Hooper of Northwich Rowing Club. Tim died peacefully at home on 13th February 2008. Although rugby and cricket were his original passions, being a great Dad he gave his full support to daughters Elizabeth and Rachel when they started rowing and this led on to a 20 year involvement with the sport.
He was a well respected Umpire and greatly enjoyed his work as a volunteer. He was always willing to help out - from arranging the BBQ at club events, getting up at 4am to load a trailer, or handing out the medals at the National Rowing Championships - no job was too small or too big for Tim! He was determined to keep us all safe out on the water and worked hard to make safety the top priority through his work as a Regional Safety Advisor and on the National Water Safety Committee and working party. He was a kind and thoughtful man and his contribution to the sport of rowing will be greatly missed.
A Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Tim's life will be held at St John's Parish Church in Hartford, Northwich on Thursday 21stFebruary at 2.30pm. No flowers please but donations to The Prostate Cancer Charity can be made through George Bell Funeral Service (Tel - 01606 42534 or email damian@bellfunerals.com).
Quiz Night
We'll be holding the next quiz night at 7.30pm on Friday the 22th of February
at the rowing club. The last one was great fun and very popular.
Everyone 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!
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Another Northwich Olympic Hope.
One of our best rowers, Matt Jump, has swapped sports. After attending a 'Sporting Giants' test last autumn he was invited by the British Canoe Union to try Flat Water Canoeing. After rigourous physical and mental testing he was selected to join the Flat Water Racing Academy in Nottingham which aims to produce gold medal winners for 2012.
Matt's rowing pedigree is exceptional, 2003 National Champion in MJ 2- with GB U23 rower George Laughton, bronze medallist at 2006 National Championships in the quad and he has sculled at Henley Royal Regatta for the last three years. His new discipline requires total dedication and he has already quit his job and moved to Nottingham to train full-time, eight-hours aday, seven-days a week, (Sunday afternoons off). Matt says "I want to go to the Olympic Games with a GB vest on - its not up for debate!"
Matt's next challenge will be 2008 National Regatta 5/6th April in Nottingham. If he cuts the mustard he will progress to the next stage, a step nearer to his new goal - a place in the GB squad in 2012! All at Northwich Rowing Club hope he can be even more successful going down the course looking where he is going! for a change.
For more info check out the article on the British Canoe Union website
Tales of the River Weaver
Local historian Colin Edmundson of the Weaver Navigation Society
will take us on a journey through the history of our stretch of the Weaver, from Vale Royal Locks to Northwich.
Colin has great reputation as a speaker and it's certain to be a fascinating presentation.
Friday, 1st of February, 7.30 pm for an 8 o'clock start.
£ 3.50 - Adults, £ 2.50 - Children.
A HOT POT SUPPER will follow the talk.
Please contact Carolyn MacRitchie (01606 852640)
to book your seat & supper.
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Quiz Night
We'll be holding a quiz night at 7.30pm on Friday the 25th of January at the rowing club.
Everyone welcome, the bar will be open. Cash prizes - £1 per team member. Come down and show how brainy you are!
Poster
Capsize Drill
Sunday, 20th January - Practise capsize drills for seniors and veterans in the swimming pool. Contact Clare Briegal for details. 20 places available - first come, first served.
Muscle and Nutrition Seminar
Sunday, 13th January - A seminar is being held at Agecroft on "Muscle and Nutrition". The speakers are Tim Donovan and Graeme Close. More info from Val Edwards.
Boxing Day Band Night
In a shift from past years, the boxing day do is now happening on Saturday the 29th of December. As usual there
will be live music, dancing and reasonably priced beer.
Usual time & Usual Place.
Rock'n'Roll provided by On The Edge
Have a little practise boogie with them Here.
Boxing Day 8's
The most important race of the year.
Who cares that you got to Henley if you were beaten by your Mum on Boxing day.
10.30 am - Boxing Day.
EVERYONE INVITED TO RACE
Including the inaugural presentation of the Cliff Salt Trophy.
BAR OPEN!
CIRCUIT TRAINING IS BACK!
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!
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.
Juniors - 5pm for 5.15pm
Seniors - 6.45pm for 7pm
Each session lasts 1 hour - £ 1 a time.
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Changing facilities available. Google Map
Go to themain 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
