Bedford School First VIII Oarsmen Bring it Home

Published by Bedford Upper School on Wednesday 21st of March 2018

It was another year of excitement and exhilaration on the river in the lead up to the annual ‘Schools Head of the River’ race. Bedford School rowers have undergone strenuous preparation involving long ergo sessions on the rowing machines, practice races on the Great Ouse and tough training in arctic conditions. All of the training paid off, and some exceptional rowing was demonstrated at this major event in the rowing calendar. Held in March each year, the Schools Head is raced on the same four-and-a-half mile championship course that is used for the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. It is open to rowing fours and eights for school pupils aged between 13 and 18 years old. All of Bedford School’s oarsmen fought determined and gritty races in wet and muddy conditions, but a special mention must go to the 1st VIII, who delivered an exceptional performance to beat off the admirable efforts of Portora Boat Club, Great Marlow School and Norwich School. Notably, they also beat the times of Latymer and King’s College, Wimbledon, who chose to race in Championship Eights. This means that our 1st VIII not only finished top of their league, but they also finished seventh overall – an achievement which far exceeded their expectations. This is particularly noteworthy given that the crew are relatively inexperienced, with five new rowers in the boat.