News Recent Rowing Successes 23.03.2023

There have been two major rowing events over the past week with Year 11 and Sixth Form rowers competing at the Schools’ Head of the River Race and our J14 and J15s taking part in the National Junior Sculling Head at Eton Dorney.

On Friday two Godolphin crews, comprised of Year 11 and Sixth Form students, competed at the Schools’ Head of the River Race. The course is the reverse of the University Boat Race, covering the same stretch of the 4.25 miles of the Thames but in the opposite direction. Our first eight had a wonderful race and finished second in their category, amongst other top rowing schools, while the second VIII had a strong row in their category to finish sixth. The following Monday, it was the turn of our younger rowers, the J14s and J15s, to race the National Junior Sculling Head at Eton Dorney. For the J14s, this was their first ever rowing race, and both octo crews performed admirably. The J15s had two octos and a quad competing, over the 3,600m time trial. The J15 A octo had an absolutely storming row, to finish third in a large field of crews, and gain a national bronze medal. All of our crews performed magnificently, much to the delight of their coaches and supporters.

This Sunday the annual university Boat Race is taking place, and for the first time we have an Old Dolphin representing Cambridge University Women’s crew. Alex Riddell-Webster started her rowing career as a J14 at Godolphin, and was our first every Junior Great Britain rower in her Lower Sixth year. We wish her all the best for the race!