Recreational rowing on the Thames. Beginners, new members and visiting clubs welcome.
The mezzanine windows went in this week. Eventually, there will be external sliding doors made of the same wooden slats that were removed so all looks the same as it was from the outside when not in use. The mezzanine is one step closer to being a lovely sociable space. One day there may even be a balcony!
There was widespread flooding along the Thames in January and the boathouse didn’t go unscathed. Huge thank you to the 44 members who helped with the big clean up after.
The pontoon needs a bit of repair but hopefully the local wildlife didn’t suffer too much.
On Friday 15th September two GGBC crews accompanied 5 members of the Thames Pollution Awareness Expedition along the Goring to Henley section of their 10 day Thames Marathon. The expedition’s aim was to call for Government action on river pollution .
We had two crews who shared the trip, with a pit stop over at Reading Canoe Club for the change over. Thinking the non regular rower crews would need assistance, we were quite wrong and and had to work hard to keep up! Which was lucky as that meant that the bar was open at the Leander Club who had kindly offered their premises to load the boats onto the trailer for the return home.
Tim Wakefield and Ben Covey from the expedition then went to swim and paddleboard the rest of the way.
This year’s race day in lieu of the G&S regatta (for now) was originally set for July. However, the weather was against us (strong winds and rain in July – why are we surprised?) and we had to postpone to September.
About 70 members turned up on the day to race, help and generally enjoy a burger. All with an excellent view of the scratch crews sprinting, limping but always somehow, crossing the line. The winners were? Well – it’s hard to remember. But they were pleased and got pots!
