Reading Regatta and the Gravey Boat




Sunday, June 25th, Henley-on-Thames

Well the fun didn't stop Friday for the weekend warriors of Williams Men's Crew. The 8 was up bright and early Saturday morning to head over to the Reading Blue Coat School just down the road and up the river to rig and launch for the Reading (pronounced "Redding") Town Regatta. Used as a kind of warm up to the Henley Regatta for many of the international crews, it's an 800 meter elimination blowout, win or go home. The regatta also features events for younger, less-experienced rowers from local schools and clubs (featuring coxed quads and octuplets), as well as masters events. The 8 faced formidable Riverside Boat Club of Boston, MA, as well as Santa Clara, a rival Temple Challenge crew. In whipping headwind, the 8 had a tough race, finishing third behind their two opponents. They then got to enjoy a nice long swing row some 15 kilometers down the Thames back to Henley, featuring 3 water locks. If you have never rowed through one of these, it's a pretty fun time. It's like an elevator, but with a change in the water level. 

The four got to enjoy a long morning, arriving at the Reading Blue Coat School a few hours before their launch in order to row down to the launching area to put the boat in slings before the race. On the way down, the four was to follow behind what seemed to be an under-14 coxed quad race. As they started, about 100 meters in, two of the boats collided and they had to restart. Definitely not our typical rodeo. After a thorough land warmup, the four took to the water for their race against a local rival, WPI's first 4. With a little extra energy the four went out hard in the wind, but was a little too frantic to keep their opponent in their grasp. WPI did come over after in a nice act of sportsmanship and American camaraderie. The four too enjoyed a nice long row home, the boat laden with some 30 pounds of extra baggage. On the way, Coach managed to get a time lapse of them in one of the locks, as well as a flat tire on his bike : / Though he luckily caught a ride on a boat back to town. 

Just before leaving, we also found out the draw for the 8's Wednesday race. We were happy to find out that they will be racing University of London's B boat, which should be pretty evenly-matched against us. Needless to say, the boys are ready and excited for what's to come. 

The night ended up being dinner on our own, while the 8 sampled the local pub The Anchor, the 4 visited the iconic and popular Angel on the Bridge for some burgers, steak sandwiches, and out-of-this-world fish and chips. 

While the 8 got to sleep in on Sunday, the 4 had quite the morning lined up courtesy of Coach Slater. Through one of his many illustrious Trinity connections, he managed to arrange a "scrimmage" between the four and an old rowing buddy, John Graves, or as Instagram knows him @jgraveyboat, of Olympic and international sculling fame. A 2010 graduate of Trinity, Graves has gone on to represent the US on the international stage numerous times, appearing in London in 2012 in the men's quad, and now representing the US in the single scull this Olympic cycle. He is competing in the Diamond Sculls event, going up against some of the best single scullers in the world, including world-record-holder Robbie Manson of New Zealand. The work of the day: 1 mile on the Henley course. The conditions: Henley's usual dose of whipping head wind. After a warmup lap to limber up, the two boats aligned and at the call of John's father and coach, we were off. After a quick start by Graves and a little bit of a slow start in the four, the race was tightly-fought. Every time Graves made a move, the four answered, eventually walking back about a length by the end and sprinting to finish about 1/2 a length down on the sculler at the mile marker. The day was then capped off with a final 20 stroke push to the line. All in all, mission accomplished. The WMC four gave Graves the run for his money he was looking for, and the guys came away with a unique brush against true rowing greatness, and a sweet group pic in front of the thames with our American hero. 

The rest of the Sunday was spent relaxing, tidying up, board gaming, and preparing for the big week ahead, with a delicious dinner at The Giggling Squid Thai restaurant, located just before the bridge in town. 10/10 would recommend for their delicious fare, and entertaining menu! At dinner, Coach distributed our badges, both for boat tent access and our international competitor badges, which grant us access to the Stewards' Enclosure, as well as other exclusive areas. 

Big week ahead. Still work to be done. Still races to be won.

GAME ON...









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