The first weekend of the rowing club’s season saw the sixth form squad travel to Penarth Regatta in numbers, alongside a large complement from HMSG (Monmouth School for Girls), in the season’s traditional curtain-raiser. Racing in a combination of quads and fours, we entered various categories, including racing in several composite boats between the two schools.

The day started in highly frustrating fashion as the schools 1st quad, winning comfortably, was thwarted by a snapped oar just two strokes from the finish line!

Further frustration occurred later in the afternoon as debutant cox Harry was deemed too aggressive in his steering – unfortunately leading to disqualification of the winning Monmouth crew.

The day was to be brightened by the success of Ben and Seb in a composite four with Monmouth School for Girls.

The last Monmouth race of the day included the school’s first four comprised of Ryan, Robbie, Georg, Jack and Antony, who redeemed their earlier oar-snapping mistake. This was the final of the coxed four event, after the crew won their earlier heat. After an excellent start and a professionally conducted race, the four won in style, putting us in good stead for the head racing season.