On the 20th May Team Tay headed to their last regatta of the season- Castle Semple regatta.

There were two crews racing at the regatta in the following categories, women’s R2 double (Rogers & McKenzie) and the women’s R2 quad (Rogers, Allmand, Scott and McKenzie).

Both crews qualified for their respective finals and both finished fourth in their finals.

 It was a much more leisurely start than usual with the first race not till the women’s double at 14:05. Once arrived and boats rigged it was straight to the well stocked tea tent to fuel up before our afternoon of racing.

The first race of the day was the heat of the WR2x and with the top 2 progressing to the final the crew knew what position they needed to be. After a quick warm up to the start line Rogers and McKenzie lined up on the start excited to get the fist race of the day underway. They had an excellent start keeping up with the stand out crew from George Watson’s College and then began to lengthen out over the course. Rogers set the rating well and allowed the crew to keep the pressure on for the 1000m. GWC were pulling away by the half way point and Tay responded with a push of their own. Tay finished convincingly second in their heat, knowing they had a place in the final.

It was a quick turn around for the women’s double as the final was shortly after at 15:05.

Rogers and McKenzie lined up on the start line, one of 6 crews in the final. Feeling warmed up and ready after the last race Tay got the race underway and put in a good start. The SPRC/SUBC and GWC crews took off from the pack and left Tay battling with Dundee and SABC for the third spot. Tay maintained and even put a power 10 in to overtake the SABC crew but were ultimately just short over the line and took fourth place.

For Rogers and McKenzie it was a good race, building on their previous novice win this regatta season and their first time entering the R2 category. 

The next race for Team Tay was heat 1 of the women’s r2 coxless quads WR24x.

The crew had to finish in the top 3 to progress to the final. With that in mind they warmed up and did some last minute race starts to prepare.

The race started well with Tay RC keeping up with the pack and after some ‘long and strong’ calls from stroke finished second, safely securing their place in the final.

The final of the WR24x was the last race of the day for Tay. The crew were up against some strong competition from the universities and gave it everything they had for the  last 1000m. They finished in 4th place, beating SABC and finishing closely behind IRC/SPRC. 

Castle Semple was a very friendly and welcoming regatta, Team Tay really enjoyed their trip here and look forward to it becoming a regular feature in our regatta season.

A massive thank you to our support crew of friends, family, dogs and babies who helped rig boats, provided snacks and cheered us on from the bank!

Race 1: WNov2x

Despite leaving at the crack of dawn to allow enough time to get a trailer load of boats to Strathclyde Park before our 09:40 race, by the time we had navigated the parking, got our bow number and rigged the boat, it was a swift launch and row up to the start of the women’s novice double skulls qualifying heat.

The mild panic ensured our heart rates were up and the on-board flask of coffee was the only hydration we’d organised between us.

We had a fantastic start and a solid race, realising at the 500m mark that we had secured a top 3 placement and could ease off a little. To our left was a Strathclyde Park double that we knew we were going to have to watch out for in the final as they were not letting us get too far away.

We had a little bit of time to relax and prepare for the final and a better opportunity to realise just how choppy the lake was as we practiced some starts and pressure pieces up to the stake boats.

We tried to suss out our opposition with the Strathclyde park crew from our previous race still being the ones we had our eye on. A lovely double who had travelled all the way from Belfast were the winners of the other qualifying heat so they were next to us at the start.

Once again, our start was solid, and Heather fought the steering against the wind and kept us within our lane. As predicted, it was a race to first place between ourselves and the Strathclyde park crew and as the water got rougher, the steering got harder to manage and Heather and I made the final 200m hard work for ourselves to gain just 2 seconds on our opponents.

As we paddled on from the 1Km finish to the pontoons, chatting away to the Belfast ladies we heard cheers of encouragement from our club on the bank. We were a little confused when they told us we had come 2^nd and that we looked like we were ‘going slowly’. Turns out that they thought we were mid race as we casually paddled back to the pontoons, planning a visit to Belfast. Thank you Strathclyde Park Crabb and McGonagle for the close race. You won’t be Novice status for much longer!

Race 2: WNov4x+

The crew in Arun from Tay RC racing in the wnov4x+ category; Kilnkman (stroke), Scott, Adams and Malloch (Bow), headed by Murphy as a first time cox feeling confident after several successful sessions on the Tay were apprehensive to get the 900m time trial race started.

Some strong winds met us at the start line but after a sucesful rolling start the crew mannaged to hold strong.

Aware that the boat was quickly taking on water due to the choppy conditions the crew the crew focused on keeping together and pushing hard to get past the finish line and achevied a time which got us through to the B final.

The crew set off again but this time with McKenzie as cox. With the choppy conditions getting up to the launch point proved a challenge. After a strong push to start it quickly became aparent that the boat had lost steering so veered into the the lane to our right forcing us to have to make an abrupt stop and make the rest off the way down the course working as a crew to manovour Arun

Tay RC Arun crew thoroughly enjoyed its visit to Strathclyde Park and the members of this crew are looking forward to seeing what they can achieve at the upcoming sprint races

Race 3: W4x

The last race of the day for Tay RC was a straight final in the women’s coxless quad category. The crew consisted of Paige Klinkman at stroke, Lucy Rogers, Tara Scott and Heather McKenzie steering at bow.

The crew boated at the designated boating time but due to some capsizes in the junior single categories before them were delayed by quite some time. It was almost an hour later than planned Tay got attached to the stake boat and prepared to race the 2k course at Strathclyde Park.

The crew got off to a really quick start and were contending for first place for the first 250m. The power and skill of the AUBC university boat meant they had pulled away from the pack but Tay clung on to the 2nd place- keeping Edinburgh uni crew off for a good 800m.

The course opened up and some choppy conditions ensued in the middle section of the race but Tay kept it together and persevered. The final 500m was a chance to regain some metres on the EUBC boat and finish the race off strong. Tay pushed for the line and put it some excellent work to power the quad over the line into 3rd place.

An excellent result for the crew and club.

4 crews from Tay headed North to Inverness for the Winter Head over the weekend of 4th & 5th March. It’s great to see the club develop and have growing representation at racing events while also being a fun, social gathering for members to get to know each other better too!

A lot of pre-planning went into getting everyone there, so a huge thank you needs to go out to two of our coaches, Heather & Lucy for their continued effort.

So, on to the race reports!

WO4x boat 28…

The Tay Derby

In a year of firsts for Tay Rowing Club, a cold Saturday morning in March at the Inverness Winter Head on the Caledonian canal’s 4.75Km course, saw two TRC coxless quads battle it out in the same category.

We were told to save our competitive jibes for the water but couldn’t help getting into the spirit of the race early on with boat 26 getting their riggers bolted onto Narayan before crew 28 had fully woken up.

We put our jovial wrangles aside to help each other onto the water and each boat set off to meet again at the start. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about TRC crews at the races we’ve entered so far this year it’s that we like to be at the start early! We eagerly awaited our competitors, boat 27, to make their way to the start so we could suss out the filling in the TRC sandwich that was soon to be making its way down the course.

The banter between our two crews continued to bob around as we waited some more until Rachel, putting her faith in her crew to hold the boat steady, stood to get the perfect selfie shot with all 8 of us. After the smiles for the camera it was race faces back on and the fighting talk started again.

Then we were off with boat 27 soon taking the lead. We would expect nothing less from a composite boat made up of the finest Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University novice rowers but we were pleased to have them out of the way; they weren’t involved in this battle – it was boat 26 that my crew wanted. I would love to pinpoint exactly when we met our match but with all focus on those long, strong strokes, holding a steady rate 26, all I know is that it took longer than we’d hoped to catch them.

Heather excelled again with some impeccable steering skills and we later learnt that boat 26 had an unfortunate altercation with a St. Andrew crew who couldn’t find a way past despite Fiona moving out of their way and giving them clear water to navigate. The extra concentration and responsibility that is placed upon our bow rowers to navigate a race course while also putting in the rowing effort should not be underestimated and both Heather and Fiona did a brilliant job.

Unsurprisingly, the composite boat came in first place with crew 28 just over a minute behind with a well-earned time of sub 20 minutes. This was one of the most enjoyable races I have entered, there was lots of laughter and some great rowing from our women’s squad.

Boat 26 – see you at the next one!

26  TayRC Rachel H., Becky, Theresa, Fiona

27 AU/RGU composite

28 TayRC Lucy, Rachel A., Tara, Heather

WO4x boat 26…

A crisp but dry morning at Inverness Rowing Club, the Narayan(spl?) crew were the first on the water to row up-to the start line.

The crew from Tay RC racing in the W4x category; Harper (stroke), Adams(Captain), Edwards and Barrowman (Bow), feeling confident after several successful sessions on the Tay were apprehensive to get the 4.75k race started.

Only three boats in the W4x category, with another crew from Tay RC the club was well represented on the Caledonian canal.

The crew was the first to set off on in the category we set off on a rolling start keeping the stroke rate low. The race motto quickly became long and strong which was the best way for this crew to take advantage of all the power in the boat.

Aware that there was only one boat between us and the other Tay RC crew we used them as a marker to push off of. As they neared to overtake Adams called for a hard push on the legs and the boat lifted on the water with the main goal being to give the other crew a hard time overtaking us.

Finally reaching the last set of overhead wires the crew tired but still remaining strong hugged the right bank in order to yield to faster boats from the categories that set off behind us.

A crew from St Andrew Boat Club were fast approaching causing Harper and Adams to shout for crew ahead that was heard all the way down the bank, St Andrew refusing to change their racing line quick reactions from Barrowman in bow saw us narrowly avoid a collision.

Tay RC Narayan crew thoroughly enjoyed its visit to Inverness setting a goal breaking time of 22 minutes and 23 seconds down the course and this strong crew are looking forward to seeing what they can achieve at the upcoming sprint races

WNov2x…

Double the fun

Our two coaches, Lucy and Heather, entered the WNov2x category at Inverness regatta on Sunday morning.

After a quick pit stop on the way up they were race ready at the start. Tay were in the middle of their category with one boat in front and one behind. After the build and passing the start line “Leather” (Lucy & Heather) went straight in with a power 20 and overtook their first crew within the first 30 strokes. From here it was just a matter of widening the distance between chasing crews.

The course passed by and Lucy set the pace from the stroke seat nice and steady, focusing on pushing with the legs.

Another 2 boats were overtaken, a masters pair and a novice four and the middle section of the course allowed them to lengthen out and enjoy the race.

The corner by the white house marked the start of the end, the final section of the course and a series of overtakes meant there were 3 boats abreast at this point- quite a tricky steering situation.Tay were in the middle at this point, overtaking a TGA pair into clear water whilst fending on a St Andrew BC double.

Tay held on and continued to push to the line, coming in with a course time of 20:19 and a first place in the WNov2x!

Thank you to Inverness Rowing Club for hosting such a well organised event and to Becky (from Tay) and Euan from DUBC for stepping in to sub in our 8!

Until the next one!

Contributor: Rachel Allmand

A grey and grizzly start to the morning at Glasgow Rowing Club brought the news that the 5.3km Head of the River course had been shortened to 3km due to swells on the Clyde making for less than favourable conditions.

The crew from Tay RC racing in the W4- category; Klinkman (stroke), Rogers (Captain), Allmand and Mckenzie (Bow), felt somewhat conflicted at the news having prepared for the long slog, however the opportunity to switch to a flat-out sprint was ultimately well received.

Only two boats in the W4- category, with a crew from Glasgow Academy fielding the other boat on the course. Glasgow Academy set off first from the rolling start, with Tay set off to chase moments later.

Quickly the crew built the stroke rate, with Rogers calling for an immediate push on the legs to get the boat shifting. Bridges fell away with Mckenzie steering the crew from the bow seat through the best lines, slingshotting the four into the fastest water across the bendy course.

The gap between Glasgow Academy and Tay RC closed significantly in the mid-section, however Glasgow Academy mustered a push to reopen the space between the two boats.

Finally, Kings Bridge appeared overhead with it an opportunity to take advantage of a decent straight stretch into the finish line. Rogers called for the rating to be brought up for the final push, with Mckenzie hugging the bank for the best line, driving the boat home for a total time on the course of 9:31.

Three cheers for the Glasgow Academy W4- for putting out a cracking time of 9.01 on the course.

Many thanks to Glasgow Rowing for the warm welcome and well organised day. Tay RC thoroughly enjoyed its visit to the Clyde.

BELLS SPORTS CENTRE, PERTH

(4 February 2023)

At the beginning of this month a few of us from Tay Rowing Club volunteered to attend a one day sports injury first aid course at Bell Sports Centre in Perth.

This course was organised through our membership of Perth and Kinross Accredited Club Excellence Scheme (PACES) and the River Tay Community Sports Hub and allowed us to secure some free spaces for our club members.

The course was delivered by Andy Gow of A.D Training and Development in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and is geared for coaches, team first aiders, club officials and other adults involved with club sport.

I’m glad to report that we all passed with flying colours and would thoroughly recommend this first aid course to other club members.

One of the exciting developments at Tay Rowing Club this year has been the introduction of schools indoor rowing at Bertha Park High School. We were awarded a grant back in 2020 to purchase eight concept 2 rowing machines with the purpose of using them to support junior rowing. Initially these erg’s were loaned to club members for indoor training throughout covid lockdowns and now they have now been moved to Bertha Park High School in order to be used by pupils in a lunchtime club. 

The lunchtime club runs weekly and has seen lots of interest with older and younger pupils alike. The format is very adaptable and can allow for teams of four rowers to one machine so we can accommodate large groups of kids. Scottish rowing has a schools indoor league that allows schools to compete against each other and the long term aim is to get Bertha taking part in this. 

This school rowing club is supported by teachers from the school and also Tay RC members. A big thanks to Fiona and Rachel who have supported the club and volunteered their time to help run the sessions. In the long term the club will be run by the school teachers with Tay RC only needing to visit every now and then. I hope to even create a blueprint of session plans that can be replicated in other state schools in Perth (we already have Perth Grammar School interested!). 

Indoor rowing is great to get pupils involved and interested in rowing but the next step is to facilitate school rowing on the water at Tay RC by method of “come and try” sessions. There is still a long way to go before we have a junior rowing section at Tay but this is an encouraging step forward. 

Race Report – 5th February 2023

It was a bright but cold start to the morning in Aberdeen as Tay RC commenced boat re-building ahead of the Aberdeen 8s Head of the River Race. Crews assembled from all of Aberdeen’s boat clubs; Aberdeen BC, Aberdeen University BC, Robert Gordon University BC and  Aberdeen Schools BC, with Tay being the only visiting club. Thankfully, the welcome was as warm as the lovely ABC clubhouse.

Tay RC fielded a mixed 8 comprising of Klinkman (stroke), Roger, Barrowman, Hughes, Smith, Millns, Allmand and Scott (bow) and coxed by Harper.

Before long the Marshal called upon Tay RC (Boat Number 95) to commence approach to the start line in preparation for a rolling start. As the boat found its line towards Victoria Bridge the blast of the whistle came – they were off!

Cox called for pressure on the legs to switch the crew into race pace and the boat started shifting its way down the Dee. The first corner fell away quickly, with Tay pushing their advantage to their preferred line under the QE and Suspension Bridges.

A mixed AUBC / RGUBC crew from 2 boats back blasted through the field taking both Tay and a fellow AUBC / RGUBC mixed boat through the second bridge. Tay remained composed and worked to keep the overtaking crew within touch, but a headwind picked up ferociously on the course bringing choppy waters and challenging rowing.

Tay worked not to concede too much water, with Harper driving the crew on through the final stretch to the finish line and Klinkman setting a quick stroke rate to keep the boat grafting. Alas some confusion as to the exact location of the finish line made it not quite the pageant finish Tay would have preferred but a solid effort given by all for a total time of 16.16 on the course and a third place finish!

Special mentions should certainly go to Harper for coxing her first competitive race and Hughes on his first race outing.

Heartfelt thanks to Aberdeen Boat Club for organising a cracking day out on the Dee – thanks for having Tay RC.

Having recently moved up to the Tayside area from down south, I decided to return to rowing after 6 years off the water as a way to meet new people locally and stay fit.

I was nervous, having not touched a blade for a while, but thankfully rowing can be a bit like riding a bike. You never quite forget! However what I’ve found in Tay RC is so much more than an opportunity to get out on the river…

From my first time down the club, the coaches and members have all been so welcoming and made me feel right at home. Here is a club where everyone is really invested in its future; getting involved in the big plans the club has for racing, building a new clubhouse and developing its junior rowing programme.

The club is a good mix of experienced rowers and those who have come through the Tay’s own Learn 2 Row course. This brings a nice range of experience, from those experiencing the excitement of their first ever race to those who might not have felt the buzz of race day since university, with a good number of senior crew thrown in to keep us all level.

Its great to see the club turn its attention to racing this year, with coaches Lucy and Heather putting a real focus on getting crews together and out to events – nothing quite beats the thrill of a race and I for one am looking forwards to sharing more of that with my fellow members.

Off the water, the club is also developing a junior rowing programme to offer school kids in the area an opportunity to try rowing before getting out on the water. As the mother of a future Team GB Rower (well, I can dream…) I’ve been grateful to be able to get involved with the programme and help coaches take our beloved sport out to the young folk. There’s nothing quite like seeing their enthusiasm and excitement when it all starts to click.

Back at the club, the President and Vice President, Chris and Barbara have grand designs on a state of the art clubhouse that will really put Tay RC on the map and take advantage of all the Tay river has to offer. It really is a cracking river to row on, wide and fast, with our own resident seal who acts as the club’s de facto mascot. The opportunity for the future of Tay RC as a centre of excellence for rowing in Scotland is huge.  

I feel like I’ve joined the club at such an exciting time – there’s a real buzz about the place as the members really do have ownership of Tay RC in a way that’s sometimes lost in bigger, more established rowing clubs. There is a lot of space for people to really get involved in helping their club reach its goals if that appeals – and equally, if folks just want to come down and row – there’s plenty of room for that too.

Tay RC: you come for the rowing, you stay for the club.

Photo credits: Graham Robb Photos

written by TRC member Andrea Wilson

A lot of firsts this weekend! Tay Rowing Club was at Inverness rowing club’s first event since lockdown with about 150 other boats on the amazing #caladoniancanal

First rowing race ever for Becs, Rhona and I! Wins? Didn’t come last didn’t hurt ourselves or any one else!

First race coxing for Lucy! Wins? See answer above! First time all of us had been in a boat together ever! Why? Training for anything in a team is challenging to co-ordinate and we did the best we could fitting round everyone’s busy work, home life and injuries. Thank you Shenja for the last minute stand in

First time rigging and derigging a boat. You get the idea a lot of learning and challenges going on.

It was cold, it rained, it was sunny (standard in November), we got pushed in to the side of the canal by an over enthusiastic double and we had an absolute blast.

Will we do it again? A resounding Hells yeah!   To anyone out there reading this who is thinking about getting outside and challenging themselves, DO IT!  Whether it’s rowing, kayaking, hillwalking (but mostly rowing) take that step, go outside engage with exercise and free your #innerathlete! It’s in all of us.

#letsgooutside #whatsyouratlantic #visitscotland #explorescotland #fitateverysize #tisominiadventure #weekendadventure #womeninrowing #womenarenotsmallmen

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