Local rowing clubs take on the mighty Thames
FIVE members of Edermine Ferry Rowing Club had the pleasure of joining fellow Wexford rowers from St Kearn’s RC on their recent trip to London to take on the challenge of The 2016 Thames Great River Race.
This annual event attracts all classes of rowers from around the globe with serious racing crews aiming to complete the gruelling 21-mile race in the fastest possible time to claim the title of being the UK’s Traditional Boat Champions.
Starting in London’s Docklands and finishing in Ham, Richmond the racing route brings rowers under the numerous and majestic bridges of London and past many of its historic landmarks – it is an uplifting experience to be cheered on by the huge crowds lining the bridges and spectator spots along the route.
No strangers to the event St Kearn’s have been represented at this prestigious race for the last 11 years, while Edermine have also been represented on a number of occasions in the past.
This year over 330 crews participated in the race and nothing could prepare someone for the spectacle of boats and vibrant colours on the river until they experience it first-hand. Many crews complete the race as a fundraiser for charity organisations and go all out with fancy dress themes, adding to the colour and fun on the day.
Crew sizes range from the smallest two-person jolly-boat to the massive 10-oared Dutch Whalers, International Dragon-boats and Out-Riggers to name but a few, with some of these boats being manned by anything up to 22 rowers or paddlers!
Both Wexford crews rowed their traditional Slaney Cots which are a small wooden four-oared boat and along with a cox and passenger this involved a crew of six per boat.
Wexford and Irish flags were displayed proudly on the ‘Lady Marmion’ and ‘St Kearn’s cots for their journey on the Thames clearly identifying their origin as they weaved their way through the international flotilla of boats.
Conditions for this year’s race were challenging to put it mildly with crews finding themselves surfing the waves and being treated to free showers of Thames river water – bailing out surplus water while rowing became the new skill on the day! Nonetheless both crews braved the elements and were well satisfied with their respective finishing times of 2 hrs 55 mins (Lady Marmion) and 3 hrs 5 mins (St Kearn’s) - the fastest boat on the day having completed the race in 2 hrs 12 mins and the last boat in 5 hrs 15 mins placing the Slaney Cots well up in the rankings.
Crews who participated in the 2016 race were Joe Carley, Brenda Mullins, Jacqui & Ruairi Murphy, Fintan and Marie Kinsella (Lady Marmion) and Rene Mullins, Nicky Walsh, Richard Roche, Hazel McGee, Gillian Roche & Jody Waters (St Kearn’s). Both clubs have plans to return again for the 2017 race and would hope to see even more Slaney Cot crews joining them for this memorable rowing event.