LCPGC Regatta Recollections

We had 5 home crews, and a bright and sunny day in Richmond, so all was set for a good day’s rowing. With lots of visiting clubs, including Sidmouth, Lewes, Newhaven, Affinity, Brixham, Oarsome, Lyme Regis and Thames Barbarians, the towpath was heaving and the pasties (kindly couriered from Cornwall to London by Steve and Jerry) and sweet treats were flying out of the clubhouse. 

The delay in writing this report has rendered most of the events of the first two heats a distant memory, except for Hora’s novel addition of lunchtime entertainment in the form of North Hammersmith Morris Dancers and Samuel’s fortitude amidst a painful neck injury. The interventions from various amateurs in the hired rowing dinghies added an extra level of difficulty for the coxes, though there was universal admiration for ‘Knucker’, one of the visiting gigs, who balanced this out for those lucky enough to row in her. 

The final heat was a fierce battle between Affinity, Lyme (with 2 LCPGC subs: Jerry and Jo) and London A and B crews. It’s fair to say London A would have probably maintained their dominance of the course if it weren’t for obstruction from a floating gin palace which required the boat come to a complete stop. As it was, Affinity came out on top, closely followed by London A, London B and Lyme. 

DJ Jim and the sterling work of the volunteers who cleaned and set up the clubhouse, made and served the refreshments, and poured all the Pimms and pints kept the festivities going well into the evening and contributed to a record breaking day of fundraising too! All in all, a very successful day on the river!