News & Press archive for July, 2009

Members of the LYR performance squad competed in the third annual Parliamentary Regatta outside the Houses of Parliament last week. There were four races in all, one junior, one men’s, one women’s and of course the blue ribbon event – the House of Lords versus the House of Commons. The junior race was off first and it was neck and neck until the bow-woman of the losing crew caught a crab. Her crew was in the lead at the time and the opposition seized on the opportunity and took the spoils. After the race, the juniors were invited up to afternoon on the Lords Terrace and rubbed shoulders and downed sandwiches with MP’s, Olympic rowers, and various luminaries from the political and rowing worlds.

It was a great day out for all concerned. The standard of the rowing was ‘varied’ thanks largely to the inclusion of the MP’s race but the LYR kids were made to feel very welcome and, chatting to the dignitaries; they actually looked quite at home.

Coach, Ben Cox reflecting upon the day said, “The standard of the rowing from LYR juniors in what were basically scratch crews, on unfamiliar water, did not look out of place amongst the elite crews on display. What was more impressive however, was their behaviour. Everyone commented on how articulate and mature our kids were. They were a credit to themselves and London Youth Rowing.”