UPPER THAMES RC’s new boathouse has a fresh, bold look that symbolises the young generation of rowers competing at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta.

The club has a history of developing and supporting all levels of rowers.

This year they will get the experience that only Henley Royal Regatta can offer 2,000m racing with crowds that are so close it feels like they can reach out and touch the crews.

The women’s squad, coached by three times Olympian Ali Gill and former elite lightweight Clare Forgie, is entering a composite eight with Leander’s Star and Arrow Club.

The eight will contain 11 times Henley Women’s Regatta winner Naomi Ashcroft and her fellow lightweight and former Canadian figure skater Rebecca Salisbury. They will be joined by members of the Henley Women’s Regatta Copas Cup Elite coxed four which was stroked by former GB junior Kate Chapman, who is making her transition to senior rowing.

The boat is filled with experience, with former women’s regatta winners and U23 team members Lizzie Hodges and Lu Gooderham and former Cambridge cox Lucy Preece.

The men’s squad is entering a Thames Cup eight. Coached by Keith Mason and John Pilgrim-Morris, the squad has an average age of 24 and is keen to expand over the next few years.

Six-man Richard Moody, said: “Upper Thames is a fantastic club. We now have an impressive boathouse and a high quality coaching team. It has been hard getting here but we hope now to attract committed men, woman and juniors so that we can be a force for the future.” This year’s eight of Rory Parsons, James Waters, Richard Moody, Tom Grange, Tom Carter, Simon Barbour, Oli Davies and Ian Ringer, coxed by Clare Carver, have mostly joined Upper Thames from Reading University.

Their early season results have included respectable finishes at the Metropolitan regatta against strong opposition from more established crews such as Agecroft RC and Molesey BC. They will be a crew to watch at this year’s regatta and in future years.

Will Hoodless, the 2006 Diamonds Challenge Sculls semi-finalist, is racing for a seventh consecutive year and his third year against his nemesis, world champion Mahe Drysdale. The Upper Thames junior squad is also entering two quads in the Fawley Challenge Cup. Coach Jamie Smith has built the crews from home grown talent. The crews, which include students from Henley College, have shown early promise making the finals at National Schools’ and Marlow International Regattas. Upper Thames’ clubhouse development has been a real focus to secure a venue fit for the future.

Club president Peter Sutherland said: “Upper Thames has a proud history of producing and supporting competitive rowing for all.

“This majestic new facility will ensure Upper Thames’ future, providing rowers with elite facilities suitable to lead the way in rowing for many future generations. Members will enjoy some of the new facilities during Henley Royal Regatta, although the official opening will take place later in the summer.”

For more information about Upper Thames call the club on (01491) 575745 or visit www.utrc.org.uk

Charlie Maile

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Published on 29 June 2009 by the Henley Standard, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.