On the first weekend in December, the Blue Coat Boat Club raced some of the top schools, universities, and clubs in the country, in sunny but near freezing conditions, at Wallingford Head.

The J15 VIII showed great maturity at a difficult event, racing well as a unit with Cassian Cockings steering a very good course. The J16 squad raced in two VIIIs. The first boat, stroked by John Morgan, raced well in a category with many university crews, coming 4th, only five seconds behind 2nd place. The second boat had a good race, with last minute stand-in cox Cameron Gass, and two boys, Tom Edmondson and Sam Watson, who had played rugby for the school on Saturday and won! The 2nd VIII had a good start but were unfortunately crashed into by another crew. They managed to restart, and completed a courageous row, yet again with boys who had had a busy week in the School musical and with the rugby squad. The 1st VIII had a very fast first half, alongside some of the top schools, showing some promising speed. They paid slightly for their initial attack in the second half, although still beat schools such as Monmouth, Great Marlow, The Oratory, and St Georges.

Mr Edmondson, Head of Rowing