This year we were asked to put 2 youth boats into the Parliamentary Regatta which is held annually outside the Houses of Parliament.
This is an invitation only event when the House of Commons VIII competes against a House of Lords VIII. Our juniors were all keen to compete as they get invited into the House of Lords after the race for an amazing tea! Two rowers were picked from each of our four centres.
The course is over an exciting stretch of the Thames between Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge. All river traffic is stopped before the races begin. After the race, crews could do a row-by right outside the House of Commons and Lords lawn which at any other time would be out of bounds. Other crews that raced at the event were an Elite ladies race between Vesta RC and Thames RC, a Veterans’ race between Tideway Scullers and Vesta RC, and of course the traditional House of Commons v House of Lords crews.