This unusual Michaelmas term, the absence of rugby and hockey fixtures presented a welcome increase in training sessions for the more serious rowers. Although official competitions were not possible, the senior College rowers did participate in a virtual Head of the Charles race before the half-term break. 
 
This involved recording a 4,700m timed race on home water and submitting the GPS data to the event organisers. Although there will have been considerable variations in stream and wind conditions, the Pangbourne crews finished 5th in the Men’s Youth Eights event, 1st in Men’s J17 Eights, as well as 1st and 2nd in Men’s J17 Fours.
 

The other key benefit of this term has been to see so many Form 3 pupils taking to the water this half of term. Helped by their huge enthusiasm to try rowing for the first time, there has been very good progress with the basic technique and sculling skills which will be useful in the coming terms.
 
Mr Richard Follett, Director of Rowing, said: 'It has been really good to have so many of our rowers out on the river since half term, many of whom would normally be competing on rugby and hockey pitches at this time of year. As a result, we are further ahead than normal with our technical crew rowing and hopefully this will transfer to increased speeds in competitive races in 2021.'