Results
April 2012
On the 18 Apr 12, a Mixed RAF Eight raced in the Vesta Veterans Head of the River Race. They rowed a respectable time and managed to finish 151st in a time of 22:07 having started in 162nd position.
March 2012
The Head of the River Race took place on Sat 17th March. The RAF crew that was entered finished in an impressive 113th position, in a time of 19:24. They only finished three seconds behind the Army crew which took the Forces pennant, and beat The Royal Navy and Sandhurst Crews by considerable margins.
On 3 Mar 12, at 1100hrs, the RAFRC Women’s Squad competed in the 72nd Women’s Head of the River Race over the 4.5 miles course from University Stone, Chiswick Bridge to Putney Pier. This year 296 crews entered. Soon after the beginning of the race, the RAF caught and overtook the boat in front. Conditions during the first half of the course were challenging but well timed and aggressive calls from the Cox kept the crew focused and the boat running. The RAF’s final position was No 191, which was consistent with last years result. The RAFRC were awarded the HM Forces Pennant, showing their strength within forces rowing.
December 2011
On the 3rd December the Scullers Head took place on the Championship Course (the one used for the Boat Race) in London. The RAF RC only fielded one sculler. The Sculler Fresh from a victory at Huntingdon Head in MasB/C 1x and from strong performances at Wallingford and Norfolk, was given the starting position of 79 out of 528. Competing against current and former Olympians the sculler managed to come 130th Overall and 6th in his MasC event. Out of the 191 Masters racing (A master is an athlete who is over 27) he came a highly respectable 39th demonstrating his sculling prowess.
November 2011
The Four's Head took place on 5th November. An IM1 coxed four representing the RAF RC started 231st and climbed to 172nd position overall; the crew was the same that competed at the Head of the Charles. They finished 10th in their category in a time of 20:20.67. The crew were the fastest services crew beating fours representing Combined Services, RMA Sandhurst and the Royal Navy.
October 2011
The RAF RC raced in this year's Head of the Charles Regatta, they were entered into the prestigious Championship Fours event. The Head took place from the 22nd to the 23rd October, with The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) very kindly hosting the RAF RC and providing some excellent equipment and facilities. The RAF RC Four finished 15th. They were also the fastest foreign crew in their event, in a time of 17:53.56.
July 2011
Three RAF rowers represented the RAF at the British Rowing Championships in a Combined Services VIII and a coxed IV. Both crews managed the repechage on the second day of racing but failed to make the finals. The coxed IV finished 4th out of 6 in a time of 7:40.24 and the VIII finished 3rd out of 3 crews in a time of 7:21.62. Nevertheless, it was good to see RAF rowers competing at the highest level of club competition.
June 2011
The 22 June saw the Joint Services Regatta take place with some notable results and hard-fought racing. RAF wins were obtained by the Novice coxed IV and also by the Masters' coxed pair with depth of Army rowing returning this year to produce some narrow defeats.
Henley Royal Regatta saw the Combined Services coxed IV having to do the qualifying races in the Britannia Cup event. Despite this being their best row, the late formation of the crew ultimately meant that they did not qualify. The Combined Services VIII pre-qualified in the Thames Challenge Cup, most probably as a result of their good Marlow Regatta performance, and grew in confidence and quality as time went on. On the Weds they beat City of Oxford Rowing Club by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 6:52. On Thurs they beat 'Four Score and Four Rowing Club' of the U.S.A by one length in 6:42. On the Friday they were beaten by Thames Rowing Club 'A' by 1 1/2 lengths in a time of 6:38, unfortunately not managing to reverse the 2007 result when the 2 rowing clubs last raced one another at Henley.
May 2011
At Nottingham City Regatta on 21 May an extremely strong headwind meant that one RAF sculler's rehearsal for the British Rowing Masters' Championship, to be held on the same course 3 weeks later, did not go as planned. His first race in the Masters C single was completed in 5:37 to make the final, but he subsequently scratched as the testing race conditions would not have added any value to his Championships preparations.
April 2011
The Head of the River Race took part on Sat 2nd April. Due to a slight technical difficulty with the entry, RAF rowers had to be placed into the Army entry and the Royal Navy entry. Despite the disappointment at not being able to take on the other services as RAF, the result was to strengthen the 2 existing entries, demonstrating the effectiveness of Jointry in the sporting environment! The more experienced boat, racing as 'Army', started 108th and finished 89th overall out of 393 entries, in a time of 18:20.12 coming 11th out of the 14 Senior entries. The second boat, racing as 'Royal Navy & Royal Marines', started 216th and finished 200th in a time of 19:06.68, coming 55th out of 77 Intermediate-2 entries.
On 10 April one RAF sculler raced at the Bedford Fours and Small Boats Head, held over 1800 metres. He raced in the Masters-C category of single sculls, winning the event by beating a long-standing rival by one second.
March 2011
On 26th March eight RAF rowers and the men's RAF cox were split and raced in 2 eights at Kingston Head of the River race. The top boat, racing as 'Army/RAF', came 13th out of 19 in the Intermediate-one category and 24th overall, in a time of 16:50.3. The second boat, racing as 'Navy/RAF' finished 17th out of 19 in Intermediate-one and 44th overall, in a time of 17:36.9. The event fielded some top class crews that will no doubt be seen at Henley later in the year.
One sculler competed at Lincoln Head in his first single sculls race since the Scullers’ Head. Racing in a Masters C-D handicap event, he was drawn against one other C-status (aged 43-49) sculler and 2 D-status (aged 50-54) scullers He was the only lightweight (<72.5 kg) sculler in the event. The 3000m course was run into both the stream and a stiff, cold cross-headwind on the River Witham, conditions which favoured heavyweight oarsmen. Once settled into a comfortable rhythm and rating 31/32 strokes per minute, he soon pulled away from the D status scullers, but was unable to shake off the other C status competitor who had started immediately behind him. Entering the final 500m, both scullers increased their effort. Unfortunately our sculler's lighter weight meant he was more affected by the wind and he lost out by only 6 secs. Once the handicaps were applied, one D status sculler dead-heated with him in a time of 14’ 08”, while the other finished a further 14 secs behind.
The women's Head of the River Race started mid-afternoon on the 19th March. Entering as Intermediate-3 and starting 199th the women's VIII had a good race and finished 178th out of 303 boats. In the process the crew recorded the fastest ever time for an RAF women's boat in 21:58.19. In the absence of Army or Navy opposition also won the Force's pennant for a second consecutive year.
February 2011
On Sunday 13th February, nine of the RAF Women's Rowing Squad had an early meet at Bedford RC ready to race in the Eights Head. Although a cold morning the conditions were good with little wind, for the 2km race, favourable for the crew. As the first head in preparation for the WEHORR the crew were eager to see their competition and row together in race conditions. Having found a number of new members of the squad over the winter training, and some novices, this was the first opportunity to see the eight out on the water and get a feel for future events. At Bedford the boat felt strong from the start and found a good pace. Maintaining the pace throughout the course it was clear to all that this was a good strong Eight that, with further crew training, has good potential moving into the Regatta season. Placed 14th of 16 crews on the day with a time of 8:12 this was a promising start to the racing season.
January 2011
A team of RAFRC rowers went off to Germany on Exercise to do some pre-season fitness training. With 6 days of cross-country skiing culminating in an individual and also team time-trial around a roughly 6-minute long course, the week was very useful in getting the fitness training back on-track. Out of 85 people who did the individual time trial one RAF rower came an excellent 4th overall in 5:57. Others came 19th in 6:38, 24th in 6:51, 28th in 6:57 and one of the women rowers finishing 3rd in the women's event coming 53rd overall in 7:28. In the team time-trial the RAFRC were believed to be in around 4th or 5th place, but this result was not confirmed by any announced results. With no-one previously familiar with cross-country skiing and with the woman rower a complete novice to all types of skiing, the RAFRC showed that their base-level of fitness was of an expected high level. It is anticipated that the RAFRC will go on this exercise again in future years but with increased RAFRC representation. All considered that the Exercise achieved the RAFRC's aims of improving fitness whilst also having some good experiences along the way.
The Boston Head race took place on 23rd January, being the first significant head race of the year. With an increased flow on the river, as a result of the recent snow melting, one RAF sculler raced in an RAF/Peterborough crew in the IM2 quad sculls (although actually a mixed crew) and the Masters C double sculls. Stroking the crew, the RAF sculler set a steady rate of 31 stokes per minute for the first 2500m and increased the rate in the final 500m to hold off a spirited attacked by a talented, GB-level J18 quad. His quad finished 3rd out of 4 entries in a time of 11:30, beating Lincoln but losing out to Trent and York Rowing Clubs. In the following division he joined the quad's bowman in a Masters B/C/D Double Scull handicap event. The 3 ‘C status’ crews had to give the ‘D’ crew a 17 second handicap advantage but could claim only a 12 second handicap from the ‘B’ crew. This time he set a stroke rate of 32 for the first 2000m and increased the rate from that point to the finish, crossing the line at 36 (in a time of 11:01) to finish some 13 seconds ahead of the next fastest crew (who had not raced in Div 1). However, once the handicap system had been applied, the result was frustratingly declared as a dead-heat with the ‘D’ crew from Runcorn Rowing Club.
November 2010
A number of RAF personnel took place in the British Indoor Rowing Championships on 21st November. The most notable success came when an RAF rower came second in the men's age 30-34 heavyweight category in an impressive time of 6:11.3 over 2000m.
The 57th Vesta Sculler's Head took place on 27th November, starting at 0900. With flat water and a North/North-East wind he finished 7th in Masters C and 143rd overall in a time of 23:33.4.
The Four's Head took place on 14th November. An IM1 coxless four started in 205th position and climbed to 157th position, finishing 17th in their category out of 46 entries in a time of 20:20.67. The second crew were unable to train together other than for one outing the day before the race, due to work commitments, and entered as an IM2 coxed four, starting 345th and climbing to 341st place and comprised. The crew came in 35th out of 43 crews in their category in a time of 21:45.81. This is the first time for many years that the RAF has fielded 2 crews at this event.
The Masters' Four's Head took place on 13th November. A composite RAF/Lincoln women's B 4X were hindered and eventually stopped by another crew. The crew went on to come 2nd to a Furnival/Auriol Kensington boat, finishing 137th overall in 23:02.52 having started from 123rd place but finishing ahead of the other masters quad coming from Vesta Rowing Club.
October 2010
On 30th October an RAF coxed four competed at the Royal Navy's Plum Pudding Regatta. The scratch crew managed to win their category, beating the Navy crews and the local champions from Dart-Totnes Rowing Club.
On 16th October an RAF women's IM2 2X raced the Pair's Head, finishing in a time of 16:46.86.
A combined RAF-Lincoln Rowing Club women's Intermediate-3 quadruple scull took part in St Neot's Regatta on 3rd October over a 2600m course. The crew started out in windy conditions and with some good steering won their event and were the fastest women's crew in the Head race, finishing 30th out of 147.
September 2010
On 18th September 2 RAF rowers were invited to join the Army RC trip to Breda in Holland. The two RAFRC representatives rowed in a composite VIII and sculled in a composite quad scull coming second in both events. The VIII was beaten by a competitive (and younger) local dutch crew, the quad second to the Army quad that raced at Henley in the summer.
The last RAF Sprint of the year occurred on 2-3rd September with some close competition between crews. There were 3 races between 6 different coxed fours ranging from Novice to Open along a 500m stretch of water. The Thursday night incorporated a BBQ. Capsize drills also took place at a local pool. The Friday night saw various RAF representatives attending the Army Rowing Club dinner at Sandhurst.
A women's IM3 4x also raced the Huntingdon Head.
July 2010
Henley Royal Regatta saw an RAF rower stroking the Combined Services VIII, with a further RAF rower in the 6 seat. Setting off at around 46 strokes a minute, the crew were at 39 at the end of the island, settling down to 34 for the remainder of the course. Despite the brave attempt, the crew were easily beaten by a fitter crew who had been training together for longer.
On 21 July the Joint Service Rowing Regatta (JSR) took place at Peterborough City Rowing Club. This year’s RAF-led event attracted approximately 100 service rowers, from novices through to elite. A strong tail wind helped crews over the 1000 and 500 metre courses. The first event saw the RAF Women’s quadruple scull beat the RN in a straight final. Wins then followed for the RAF Men’s squad in the Senior eights, Senior and Intermediate coxed fours, Open and Masters coxless pairs, Masters and Novice single sculls. The RAF Women’s squad won the Masters' Novice coxed fours, Masters double sculls, Masters' Novice coxed pairs and Masters' Novice single sculls. Two of the day’s four Inter-Service events were won by the RAF, the Men’s and Women’s Open coxed fours. The remaining two Inter-Service events, the Men’s Open eights and single sculls were won by the Army. Overall this was a very strong performance from a squad, which drew on personnel from across the RAF. The tally for the day’s wins was RAF fourteen, Army ten and RN three. The President of the RAFRC, CAS Sir Stephen Dalton, said afterwards of the RAF's success:
"A fantastic set of results for which the individuals and the team deserve strong recognition. It also sets an excellent foundation for next season’s development and training. Well done and many congratulations to all."
June 2010
One of the RAF Masters competed in the World Masters C Intermediate 3 single sculls. In the final he found himself 3rd at the halfway mark, about 2.5 lengths down, but with gritty determination sculled through the opposition to win gold by a comfortable margin.
May 2010
An RAF sculler attended the RAF Sports Board Annual Awards Dinner as the RAF Sportsman of the Year 2009. Additionally he competed at Nottingham City Regatta, held at Holme Pierrepoint, in the Masters C Single sculls, finishing second. The RAF women entered the IM4 double sculls event but were knocked out in the semi-final to Llandaff Rowing Club.
April 2010
The RAF women entered Leicester Regatta to race over 700 metres in an IM3 double scull. Unfortunately they lost to Burton Leander in the final by half a length.
The RAF Small Boats Head 2010 was held in glorious conditions on 10th April at RAF Linton on Ouse. A training day took place the day before, allowing rowers new and old the opportunity for coaching prior to crews being finalised for the following day's racing. Beginners raced in play-boat single sculls over a short course, with victory going by a narrow margin to RAF Wittering. Mixed double sculls raced the full course and the event was won by a Northolt/Cranwell composite crew. The coxed fours event was made of composite mixed crews of all standards.
March 2010
An RAF sculler, the CAS (ACM Sir Stephen Dalton) and other senior RAF figures attended the Combined Services' Sport Award ceremony at the RAF Club, London. The Guest of Honour was HRH The Duke of Kent and the Master of Ceremonies was Stuart Storey, the highly respected TV sports commentator. The RAF sculler had been nominated by the RAF for the Combined Services Sportsman of the Year 2009 award, primarily due to his Gold Medal win at the World Masters' Regatta in Vienna in Sep 09, but also as a result of 20 years of commitment to RAF Rowing. With stiff competition he was runner up to an Army Boxer who was to represent GB at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, and probably at the 2012 Olympics.
Lincoln Head took place on 20th March. An RAF sculler secured a win over Tees RC in a composite mixed quad scull with Peterborough, although he lost out in the single scull to Peterborough and Durham. A further RAF rower won the mixed double scull in a composite crew with Lincoln RC. An RAF women's crew were beaten by Lincoln and Leeds Carnegie respectively in the intermediate double sculls, and a further RAF woman sculler lost out to Lincoln in the novice single scull.
The RAF women entered the Women's Head of the River Race on the 13th March, entering in the Intermediate 3 category. Starting 251st they finished 268th in a time of 22.52.40 and, being unopposed in the Forces category, won the Force's pennant.
The Senior men took part in the Head of the River Race from Chiswick to Hammersmith on Saturday 27th March. With a slight breeze roughing up the water in places and with a brief shower at the start, the crew started in 76th position. However, lacking some of the experience of the previous year and with the first outing as an eight unfortunately being on the day of the race, the crew managed to rate 31-32 but with too light a gearing for the conditions and finished in a time of 19:37.11 placed in 249th position.
The Veterans Head of the River took place on Sun 28 March, a race soon to be re-branded 'Masters' and open to anyone aged 27 or over. A composite mixed RAF/Lincoln crew boated for the first time together in conditions which were slightly choppier than Saturday’s Head of the River Race. The crew started 152nd and finished 74th, coming second in their category (Vet B/C) to a very fast Broxbourne crew.
February 2010
The Head of the Nene saw racing compete in freezing fog conditions. With visibility reduced to around 4 boat lengths, crews were started with greater time allowed between them. The RAF were represented in the Veteran Handicap singles event but despite recording a faster time than the eventual winner on the water, lost when the handicap system applied the appropriate time advantage.
Following their poor showing at Boston, an RAF pair took their novice double to a win at South Yorkshire Head on Feb 13, beating crews from York and Bradford. Focus then shifted to eights, and a trial Veteran composite crew with Boston and Lincoln went over the course at Trent Head on 24 Feb in a rather sluggish 18 mins 4 secs.
The women raced at Bedford Fours and Eights Head as an 'Intermediate 3' eight, owing to the 3 rowers with points. The remaining rowers, of novice status, learnt quickly and the crew came 154th, out of 187 crews starting, in a time of 8:12. Later in the month they competed in the Hammersmith Women's and Junior Head.
January 2010
January saw the Boston Head race take place. With a fast stream after the recently melted snow and additional rain the RAFRC was represented in 2 of the 3 event's divisions. An RAF sculler boated in a composite RAF/Peterborough Vet C quad (though actually a mixed boat) to compete in the open Intermediate 2 event, finishing after a strong row and good rhythm to be within a minute of the winners and beating a mens crew from Runcorn. A composite RAF/Lincoln Novice double finished within a minute of the winners. A better row was had in the third division, when the same pairing entered in a composite RAF/Lincoln Veteran Class C coxed four. After a strong row, the crew were placed third after times were adjusted for age handicap.
January 27th saw the RAF Indoor Rowing Championships take place at RAF Digby. Around 70 people attended the event. The female junior 2000m lightweight event was won in 8:01.6, with the corresponding men's event won in 6:49.2. The lady's 'heavyweight' category was in 7:41.9, with the corresponding men's event won in 6:29.6. The lady's senior event was won in 7:51.7 and the men's senior lightweight event won in 7:04.5. The men's senior heavyweight event was won in 6:51.5. The day ended with the team relay event which saw RAF Digby take the win!
