THE 69th Head of the River Race took place on Saturday on the Tideway between Mortlake and Putney - the reverse to the Boat Race course.
There were 420 crews taking part, making the event the largest participating event in the UK. Several of the British Olympic Gold medallists were involved, including Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, Luke Grubor and Simon Dennis, representing their particular clubs. The conditions were raw and although the rain held off for the actual race, the wind chill factor brought the temperature down to sub zero.
Monmouth School were well represented, with 1st and 2nd VIIIs participating as well as several Old Monmothians rowing for their particular universities and colleges. It was good to see OM Alasdair Woodbridge rowing at bow for Notts County RA, starting as the fourth crew.
The School 2nd VIII race well, looking well drilled throughout the race, finishing in a respectable mid-table place and holding on to their start position.
The Monmouth School 1st VIII once again excelled. They were well prepared for the event by their coach and were determined to put in a good performance. Their start position was 126th but the crew powered their way through the field, picking off the opposition one by one and finishing a remarkable 77th overall.
To finish in the top 100 is extremely pleasing for a school crew competing against universities and top club crews - one seasoned observer believes this result to be the best in recent memory.
This morale-boosting effort will stand the boys in good stead for they now focus on the Schools' Head. This is rowed over the same course in London competing against other schools who they will also meet during the rest of the year.