Auriol Kensington

AK Row to Henley 2011

June once again saw the AK vets, young and old, make their annual three-day rowing pilgrimage along the Thames from Hammersmith to Henley. Paul Lukas tells how a busy river, fun at locks and a night on the sherry didn't stop the two crews reaching Henley in time to race the hallowed course

It was cool and still at 7:00am on the morning of Saturday the 25^th June, the river calm and peaceful. Each year of late the arranged meeting time has become earlier and at this rate it will not be long before the row starts on the Friday night!

The economic climate was uncertain, but the weather forecast was for warm, settled weather. One and a half hours of preparation, however, lots of coaching launches and a strengthening breeze, and the Grand Lady had become less gentle and inviting, now choppy and changing.

The “Old Men” boated first and managed to negotiate the task of transferring the boat from the towpath to the water without either nearly dropping it or having an argument about the best way of doing this. The “Old Men” welcomed a previously uninitiated member, Alan Saunders, who promptly changed places and sides with Dave Robertson!

The row to Richmond was unsettled through the choppy water, and for once it was possible to row straight past Richmond Lock.

It was too early for Richmond Regatta, no friendly greetings this year, but soon after the regatta course the “Old Men” found the “Young Men’s” crew approaching at high speed, looking both singular and determined.

As the “Old Men” prepared to be quickly overtaken, the “Young Men” disappeared on the far side of Eel Pie Island and it became clear that the true motivation for their speed of approach was a bacon sandwich hunting mission; alas, despite acquiring a surfeit of bacon sandwiches it appears that a distinct lack of bacon made this somewhat disappointing.

At about this time, the “Old Men” started to remember how to row and, in particular, the necessity of all finishing each stroke together and with a little effort, making the remainder of the row more promising than the earlier part. Tim Koch once again pointed the “Old Men’s” boat at the wrong part of Teddington Lock, but quickly realized the errors of his ways.

The day remained relatively cool and comfortable, but the “Old Men” arrived at Molesey without seeing the “Young Men” again. As last year, it was disappointing not to see Dick Child at Molesey. The “Young Men” also greeted a freshman to this activity, and as the “Young Men” appeared cheerful throughout, it is assumed that Iain Cheyne enjoyed his two days in the crew.

Sherry Party special guest

The Vice-President’s Sherry Party was well attended on the Saturday evening. The club had requested a good turnout, especially as Wally Kinnear’s youngest son, Donald (pictured), and his wife were paying a visit.

Not too many rowing clubs can boast of Olympic Gold Medals having been won by its members, and our club is especially proud of Wally Kinnear’s two wins in the Diamonds, a win in the Wingfield Sculls, and his 1912 Olympic Gold Medal that we celebrate next year.

Sunday: hot and busy on the river

Sunday 26^th June started calm and warm, and the day became hotter throughout. The morning’s rowing seemed to be positive and settled in both crews. The arrangement for the delivery of sandwiches by Waitrose once again worked well, though both crews arrived at Staines Boat Club a little later than usual due to a considerable increase in river traffic compared with previous years. This year, though, Staines Boat Club was deserted and it felt a little strange to be the only ones there.

The afternoon was extremely hot, but despite this the two crews found the energy and spirit to paddle together on several stretches.

The hot weather managed to attract a vast number of inexperienced and incompetent river users around Windsor and both coxwains needed their crews to be alert and obedient, tasks that the “Old Men” find challenging at the best of times!

An extremely officious lock keeper at Boveney showed no mercy to the dehydrated and tired limbs that had propelled themselves upriver, and barked gruffly that he would give preference to the gass-guzzling, carbon-spewing, gin palaces long before considering the rowing boats to pass. Porterage, therefore, was necessary and relatively painlessly achieved.

At Eton Excelsior, presumably to avoid leaving himself behind this year, Tim Koch jumped into the first taxi only to find himself (and the other occupants) on the way to the Travel Lodge at Slough rather than Windsor! A change of venue, and an excellent meal at the Mango Lounge closed the day (for some).

Monday: the final stretch

Monday mornings at Eton Excelsior always evoke feelings of beauty and peacefulness that only poets can properly describe. That is, until the first cruiser passes! Monday 27^th June started calm and warm but much more comfortable with plenty of cloud cover.

Both crews seemed to be rowing well and took opportunities to paddle together where possible. When the “Old Men” concentrated and worked on their finishes, the boat was much steadier (and obviously went faster).

A friendly lock keeper at Bray Lock warned the crews of a failure at Boulter’s Lock resulting in long delays (the wrong kind of water?) and suggested using the porterage. This, however, proved to be extremely difficult as the short landing stage was well above the water level. The “Young Men”, however, managed this and in an act of great kindness came back to help the “Old Men” who almost certainly would not have managed this alone.

There was another delay at Marlow Lock, and it turns out that that now the lock keeper goes for lunch and passing through the lock is a “self-service” activity at such times; both eights were fortunate to be helped by a gentleman in a long-boat who pressed the buttons to let us through. Quite late arriving at Marlow, that first cup if tea is indescribably welcome.

It had been arranged for a newly restored launch to collect John Booker and David Geake from Marlow and follow the eights from Marlow to Henley. The launch was also held up by the earlier lock problems and was not seen by the eights.

Racing the course

Despite the tiredness, both crews seemed positive and comfortable throughout the afternoon. The agreement to row the first half of the Henley regatta course at half-pressure with the “Young Men” starting a few lengths behind the “Old Men” allowed both crews to relax, but of course when the “Young Men” started to “release the beast” then they quickly passed the “Old Men”.

As the crews passed the Stewards Enclosure, the “Old Men” released their inhibitions and had a fine row to the finish. It is hoped that Rich Moseley, replacing Iain Cheyne in the “Young Men’s” crew for the day, enjoyed the experience.

End of row dinner

The end of the row dinner was well-attended, with good food and better seating arrangements than last year. Thanks were given to AK for providing the boats, to David Geake and Dave Housten for transport and bag-carrying, to Jimmy Pigden for coxing, and especially to Tim Koch without whom this row would not happen.

Members were urged to be generous as regards the 2012 Fund which is still behind its target for next year, and crew members were reminded that this should be considered a four-day event, not three, because it is essential to return the boats to AK re-assembled, re-rigged and ready to be used by other club members; Tuesday is not an optional extra!

Despite some increasingly uncomfortable and inflexible joints, it remains a privilege and a pleasure to be part of “The Henley Row”.

2011 crew