Coach Neil Martin took eight junior hopefuls to Cambridge Junior Sculling Head. For most it was their first opportunity to race in a double or a single, certainly no mean feat when some only started rowing in the last six months. The weather started off quite cool and cloudy, but the day brightened and by the third division and presentation the sun was glorious over the River Cam. The race was time trials over 1450m.

Guy Thompson & Will Ablett (l-r)

The Leicester/Loughborough composite crew of Will Ablett from Leicester and Guy Thompson from Loughborough have formed as they are representing the East Midlands in the Junior Inter Regional Regatta (JIRR) at Holme Pierre Pont on the 9th August. Guy is actually only 15 but rows so well together with Will that the duo are on fire. They got the 4th fastest time on the day behind the J18 quads, beating J18 doubles as well in an amazing time of 5 minutes 35 seconds. They won their category with a lead of 3 seconds. The duo will race at the Inter regionals together and then at Leicester Regatta on the 17th April.

Daniel Byrne (in red) with Leicester Team Mates

Another success story of the day is Daniel Walder. He was selected to form a J14 Coxed Quad with three Leicester boys, Ben Whittaker, Daniel Byrne, Edward Ablett based on his rowing machine speed tests to again represent the East Midlands at JIRR. They have been training together and decided that Cambridge would be a good test to see how they faired against other crews of a similar age. They beat two other crews both from Kings School Ely by 12 seconds. A most impressive finish by the boys as they overtook a J17 coxed quad moments from the finish line. A storming race.