This year we were asked to put 2 youth boats into the Parliamentary Regatta which is held annually outside the Houses of Parliament. It is an invitation only event and our juniors were all keen to compete as they are invited into House of Lords after the race for the most amazing tea! We decided to pick two rowers from each of our centres; Royal Docks, Lea RC, Globe RC and Barn Elms RC. The course is over an exciting stretch of the Thames between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge.
All river traffic was stopped before the races began. After the race, crews did a row-by right outside the House of Commons and Lords lawn which at any other time would have been challenged by the security services. Other races included an Elite ladies race between Vesta RC and Thames RC, Veteran quads between Tideway Scullers and Vesta RC and of course the House of Commons v House of Lords in eights.
About the crews
In the youth race today, the crews are made up of a member from each of our 4 main centres. These young people aged between 15 and 18 all compete at regattas ranging from domestic to national level but have never rowed together in these combinations before.
Boat A
Chris Stephens in Bow (furthest away from the cox at the prow of the boat) has been rowing for just under a year. He joined Royal Docks Rowing Club after spending the summer last year on our summer rowing course at the London Regatta Centre. Joseph Hollier in 2 seat has been rowing for a year, and started on the recommendation of a fitness instructor. He has caught the bug and now we can’t keep him off the water! He hopes to go to Brunel Uni and stay at home and keep rowing at the Globe. Jordan Cole- Hossain in 3 seat is 15 years old. She’s been rowing since January of this year. She came 7th out of 84 at the National Junior Indoor Rowing Club 08. Tom Hatherley is stroking the boat. He is 17, and took up rowing 6 months ago at Lea Rowing Club. He competed at the National Schools Regatta earlier this year.
Luke Vernall is the cox of boat A . This is Luke’s second year as cox for the Parliamentary regatta. He stopped rowing due to injury and is now coaching regularly at Lea Rowing Club.
Boat B
Toby Ballentyne in bow, is 15, goes to BETHS Grammar School, has been rowing for 6 years. He sculls in a single, but also in doubles and quads. He likes surfing, dogs and msn. Stephanie Jaques is in 2 seat. She is 18 years old and in her last year at Sidcup and Chislehurst Grammar School. She hopes to be going to Bangor Uni and to continue rowing there. Tim Manson in 3 seat, is a veteran of the Parliament Regatta and rowed in the inaugural race. He is 16 and studying A levels. Chris Garland is stroking the boat. He is 15years old and goes to school at Ashcroft Technology Academy where he is a keen member of the indoor rowing club. He was the 1st junior boy to be selected to join Barn Elms Rowing Club. Thea Lumley-White Cox of boat B She is 15 years old. She goes to James Alan Girls School and started rowing 2 and a half years ago. She also took up coaching and coxing due to injury and has been a very enthusiastic helper. Apart from being on the water, she enjoys photography.