Assistant Head of Rowing Stuart Larner has filed this report: “Over the first weekend of half term, the J16 and Senior squads raced at National Schools Regatta. This was the first race since February 2020, so everyone went into it keen to see how they would perform after 14 months of lockdown training.

On the Saturday, the Seniors had a coxed four, coxless four and eight racing. All three crews raced well, and it was evident that they enjoyed being back out competing on the water after so long. The coxed four made the A-final, where it came 5th. The eight secured their place in the A-final by winning the time trial in the morning, and went on to reproduce this dominance in the final, leading throughout the race and retaining the Ayling's Challenge Cup.

On the Sunday, the J16 squad had a quad and an eight racing. Again, both crews raced well, with the eight making the A-final. This was the first time these girls had made an A-final at national Schools, which is testament to the hard work they put in over the national lockdowns. The J16 eight fought hard, coming home 6th overall. Well done to everyone who raced.”