TTRC Novice Men in action (L-R): Zak Keene, Jay Sitaraman, Michael Gatzoulis, Eddie Gillead, Nigel Brophy, Tim Primmer, Jonathan Geitner, Nathan Goodman and Nicolas Sobaszek (cox). Photo: Ben Rodford Photography
By Mette Rodgers
Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club secured an impressive third place at the Master’s Head of the River race on Sunday 24 March, when the Men’s 8+ completed the 6,8 km course in just 21 minutes – only three seconds behind Dart Totnes ARC from Devon in second place.
The TTRC crew, competing in the Open Novice Category. The crew had a ping-pong dual with a crew from Twickenham Rowing Club, with the boats overtaking each other several times on the course between Chiswick Bridge and Putney Bridge.
The rivalry helped push both crews to go the extra mile and was decisive for the TTRC boat – made up of cox Nicolas Sobaszek, Nathan Goodman, Jonathan Geitner, Tim Primmer, Nigel Brophy, Eddie Gillead, Michael Gatzoulis, Jay Sitaraman and Zak Keene – completing the course one minute and one second faster than their 2023 time.
The Men’s Captain Nathan Goodman said:
“We are making great progress in our technique and speed. Special thanks goes out to the great coaching we got from Michael Tchoubouroff and club veteran member Paul Arnold in giving us great advice and fitness programmes throughout the year. And of course the crew, who gave it their all today. They were awesome. We’re really going from strength to strength.”
TTRC/Guildford RC Men’s Master C Crew (L to R): Ben Soren, Paul Arnold, Manu Pezier, Tom Jack, Kim Williams, Ben Hopgood, Woody (cox), Dan Wood and Dave Bulmer.
Another TTRC Men’s crew, which was a composite with some members from Guildford Rowing Club, competed in the Open Masters C category and came fifth, just three seconds behind a crew from The Netherlands.
The crew, coxed by veteran Olympian Woody, was made up of Dave Bulmer (TTRC), Ben Soren (TTRC), Dan Wood (Guildford), Tom Jack (TTRC), Ben Hopwood (Guildford), Manu Pezier (Guildford), Kim Williams (TTRC) and Paul Arnold (TTRC).
“We were all happy with the row and overtook three crews,” TTRC’s Paul Arnold said after the race, which started late afternoon at 15.45 as the high tide came very late in the day this year.
The race – which is rowed annually, the day after the Head of the River Race for elite crews from around the world – was the last head race of the season but also one of the few races to go ahead after several cancelled events this year due to bad weather conditions.
Thankfully the Port of London Authority changed its flag status to green the day before the race, allowing it to go ahead without having to reduce the number of crews.
This meant that all 260 registered boats were able to compete in 25 categories on a sunny but windy Sunday afternoon; including the TTRC Women’s 8+.
The TTRC Women’s crew before the race (L-R): Lisa Colles (Mortlake AA), Jacqui Sutherland (in front), Kasia Wroblewska (behind), Louise Martin, Barbara Kielim, coach and cox Michael Tchoubouroff, Ladies Captain Jackie Marie, Hana Fegutová and Sue Holland.
The crew suffered from several injured crew members but managed to bring in a person from Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club to complete the line up of coach and cox Michael Tchoubouroff, Kasia Wroblewska, Jackie Marie, Barbara Kielim, Lisa Colles (Mortlake AA), Louise Martin, Hana Fegutová, Jacqui Sutherland and Sue Holland.
The crew competed in the highly competitive Women’s Masters D Category and came a respectable 11th out of 17 crews, 27 seconds faster than their performance in last year’s race.
“We are very pleased in how we rowed today, the boat felt good throughout the race,” said The Ladies Captain Jackie Marie after the race.
Crew member Hana Fegutová added:
“It was tough and definitely feels like an achievement! I thought there was a big improvement year on year and hopefully, with lots of training and some good coaching we can improve even more before next year’s race.”
TTRC Women’s 8+ in action (L-R): Michael Tchoubouroff (cox), Kasia Wroblewska, Jackie Marie, Barbara Kielim, Lisa Colles, Louise Martin, Hana Fegutova, Jacqui Sutherland and Sue Holland.
All three crews agreed that the long paddle back against the wind to the University of London Boathouse was more painful than the high-intensitive race.
After making it back to the club, competitor and Club Chairman, Nigel Brophy, said:
“It’s great to see so many of our members competing in this prestigious event. The club is in a great place, rapidly growing, thanks to our fantastic Learn To Row courses.”
He adds that there are still a few places left on the next Learn To Row course, which starts mid May 2024, for anyone who would like to become part of a thriving adult rowing club.
More information about the course and how to sign up can be found on the club website https://ttrc.org.uk/learn-to-row/
