Miss Huckle (Head Rowing Coach)
Over the Easter break 46 rowers and 5 members of staff headed up to Scotland for our Easter Training Camp. This year we were hosted by Galloway Activity Centre, situated on the banks of Loch Ken, Dumfries and Galloway. In an absolutely beautiful location, our rowers enjoyed six days of focused training on the water, alongside structured revision sessions and group activities for them to enjoy time with their friends in the stunning location in the evenings.
With a lake that was more than 800m wide, we were able to spend lots of time practising our side-by-side racing skills ahead of the upcoming regatta season. This opportunity was invaluable for those students representing BGS on the water this summer, on a great expanse of water compared to our home river! All students that attended our rowing camp did so with a fantastic attitude, they were focused, good-humoured and a credit to BGS throughout the trip. Although not always easy, and on many mornings in freezing temperatures, they stuck to the programme, got their revision done and supported each other showing brilliant team spirit and determination throughout.
After a hard day's training, each evening our rowers had the opportunity to enjoy some downtime with their friends – we had a fantastic time at BGS Boat Club’s got talent, Quiz Night, toasting marshmallows and singing around the campfire, and our Friday night disco! Again, the camaraderie amongst the squad was fantastic to see, and we were very proud to see such brilliant commitment to all activities both on and off of the water.
On behalf of myself and Miss Bruce (Director of Rowing), we would like to take the opportunity to thank our brilliant rowing staff for all of their hard work throughout the camp, and a special thank you to Mrs Greenwood who switched her lacrosse stick for an oar and was a fantastic help to Team Rowing throughout the camp.
On return to Bedford last weekend, 9 of our Year 11 rowers represented the region at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta – on very rough water that resembled the sea, our crew worked hard to finish ranked 7th whilst representing Team East. Well done to Tatyana Stockwell, Lottie Giles, Annabelle Hine, Olivia Smith, Alice Toone, Pam Achari, Sienna MacFarlane, Millie Partridge and Emily Pinkney.
We now look forward to the most exciting part of the rowing season, as we begin our regatta racing. Crews will head to Dorney Lake to compete at Wallingford Regatta and the National Junior Sculling Regatta over the bank holiday weekend, we then race on home water on Saturday 7th May at Bedford Regatta where we hope to see many of you join us to support BGS crews on the river bank.
View a gallery of some beautiful photos captured here.
