Last weekend, local rowers Esme Booth and Isaac Herring travelled to Boston in Lincolnshire to take part in the British Rowing Junior Trials. Both currently row as Juniors for Stratford upon Avon Boat Club. The club currently has a thriving junior section and has had many recent successes at Junior level as well as at Senior and Masters levels.
For Isaac, this was his first outdoor water-based trial at Boston whereas Esme has taken part in three indoor ergo-based assessments finishing 17th out of 103 contestants. Esme has also been to previous outdoor water-based trial so far this school year.
In what were very windy and challenging conditions, both rowers raced in single sculls on Saturday over a course of 5km – Esme (WJ18) finishing 52nd (out of 120 juniors) and Isaac (J16) finishing 20th (out of 35 J16s).
On Sunday, both returned to Boston in even windier conditions and partnered with rowers from other participating clubs to row in double sculls races. This time Esme finishing in 19th position and Isaac finishing in 15th position in their relative categories.
Coach Alan Nash was in attendance over the two days and was very impressed with the achievements of both rowers in what were far from ideal conditions. Alan commented, “At this level of trials, Esme and Isaac were in competition with the top United Kingdom rowers including those from the Thames-based elite rowing clubs and also the very successful rowing schools and colleges. Both rowers can be proud of their performances over the two days of racing and it is very encouraging to see Stratford Boat Club junior rowing represented at this high level”.
Over the next few weeks, Esme will be continuing through the British Rowing Junior Trial process – the goal for all rowers will be to represent their country in a series of international competitions.
For media coverage, see Stratford Herald p17 and Stratford Herald online: http://bit.ly/1S8flea and Stratford Observer p31