(Article from London Roar September Edition)
On Saturday, 6th and Sunday, 7th September - 87 Rowers and Coxes - rowed courses from either Windsor to Kingston, Kingston to LRC or from LRC to Eel Pie Island and back.
On Saturday, 6 Quads and 2 Fours covered 37 kms and 9 locks! Spectacular views, Windsor Castle and Runnymede, the site of the Magna Carta signature.
Windsor to Kingston Crew and Support Crew
With these 8 hulls, Graham Sisson cycled along, and helped at locks - for which we are all very appreciative and Marije Plak joined for some of the course.
Lock keepers for the day - George Cowley, Kathleen Curran and Mike Baldwin driving, walking and jogging to get to the locks ahead of our 8 boats. By water is always a better way to travel!
Romney Lock
Sunday’s LRC to Eel Pie Island Course of 32 kms included the Captains 8+, the Masters 8+, Coxed Four, Quad, Pair and Single.
Some words from The Captains’ Crew -
“Fantastic fun, great work everyone. Can I also say hats off to Mike Baldwin, absolutely amazing! I hope I’m half as fit as you at the same age. Incredible - I’m sure everyone will sleep well tonight!”
- Phelan Hill
“Thank you to everyone who supported the GLR and made it happen, from launch drivers, support crew and those tossing burgers on the balcony. The barbecue was excellent and showed the club at its finest; open, welcoming and enthusiastic. Congratulations to all involved and particularly to Kathleen for pulling it all together.”
- Simon Harris
The Captain’s crew and other Eel Pie Island crews were supported by launch driver Edoardo Marshall and Photographer George Christian. Edoardo notes on the Captains’ Crew - “they barely stopped” even when changing seats, Mark Lucani climbed over Mike Baldwin.
Captains Crew
The Masters 8+ and 2- had the beautiful Geoff with them, driven by Pierre Lhommet with company from Paul Mascaro.
Geoff driven by Pierre Lhommet with Paul Mascaro
These two crews, 8+ and the pair stayed together for the whole course!
Masters 8+ and Pair taking a break halfway.
Sunday’s Kingston to LRC course included 7 Quads and 1 Four - covered 25 kms and 2 locks with the Richmond lock keeper awarding us the record for the most rowing boats in his lock!
Richmond Lock
Some words from the model GLR participant - Andrew Boyle. Submitted all forms on time, rented two ringers and has obtained nearly £3k in sponsorship.
“Mike Newsom Davis and I had an amazing time rowing with superstars Adam Randall, Edo Marshall (Sat) and Josh Lyon (Sun). Rather daunting for us, but it was an opportunity for a 62k weekend coaching session not to be missed. Rather than row hard to keep up, the coaching tips were to relax, be patient at catch and finish and to keep all extraneous body parts still, particularly the shoulders. The boat came together and the miles melted away.
The interaction with the other crews was a great feature of the weekend. There was good humoured banter in the locks and as we rowed along. Mike and I finished the weekend very tired but having had a wonderful experience. The GLR is a fantastic way to bring the club together.”
- Andrew Boyle
“It is events such as this Sunday’s row which make me appreciate the benefits of a club such as the LRC: a huge effort behind the scenes to make it all happen and the chance to form friendships through experiences with people you would not normally meet.
These two characteristics came together on Sunday and I am sure that I speak for my fellow crew members when I say - thank you so much and when is the next event?”
- Keith Swabey
“Young Irregulars had two crews out for the Saturday stretch from Windsor to Kingston. An amazing experience navigating locks for the first time.
Sunday had 3 of these crews continue on to complete the full GLR course. A mean feat, especially for Camille Lanckneus who steered brilliantly - navigating children’s boats, go boats, sail boats, and many other obstacles with ease.
A great experience being able to row alongside all members and groups from the club.
The water & snacks of course also a big bonus.
And a massive thank you to the ground support along the way!! It was really lovely to arrive at each lock to a familiar friendly face & appreciated the help navigating the tight space and comms with the lock keeper.
A truly memorable weekend, and really fantastic to see the club come together for such a good cause.”
- The Young Irregulars
Young Irregulars
This was the first fundraising initiative to raise funds for the replacement of our balcony.
As of Monday 8th September, the GLR has generated £39k+ with more sponsorships coming…
Thanks to the many, many people who contributed to making this event happen. The Balcony Fundraising Group, notably Camille Lanckneus, Kate Griffiths and Edoardo Marshall and Bill Baker.
To Steve Baldwin who drove Casamajor on Sunday and a bit like the Captains, barely stopped, not even for a burger to go after landing at LRC, and…he had loaned us his grill.
To Simon Harris for pulling Captains from 1976, 1991 & 1992, 2002 & 2003, 1994, 2005, 2010, 2021 and 2026 to row almost on “their side” and inspiring people to sponsor the Captains’ Crew.
To Charles Powell, Josh Lyon, George Cowley, Laura Bates and Sean O’Mahony - for the many, many things they did! And Devin Ward who completed a full blades inventory and Billy Rine who de-rigged and loaded boats she wasn’t even rowing in! And to Mark Boyd and Paul Mascaro who committed to grilling shifts but were set free by Henry Galbraith, Hal Barrow and Isaac Workman.
To Spectacular Safety Jules Robey who provided the now famous course charts and lent us her car for George to drive, and to Ben Helm, who is Superman in all rowing situations including the many he helped with for the GLR.
To the coaches, membership, finance and staff that helped with the barbecue.
To Elton Excelsior RC and Kingston Grammar School, who allowed us to boat and were helpful to us in many ways. And the lovely Anne Lucy who supported us at KGS.
To Mike Baldwin for lots of planning, loaning his grill, providing Casamajor and funding the barbecue!
Lastly, to our generous member who is matching up to £50k generated and the best thank you to that member would be for us to get to and maybe even surpass £50k!
Casamajor in Teddington Lock, driven by Steve Baldwin.
Kathleen Curran
