Looking forward: On Nat Schools with Chairman Mike Martin

Over 5000 juniors will head to Nottingham for this year’s National Schools’ Regatta (NSR). British Rowing caught up with event Chairman, Mike Martin to hear his thoughts ahead of three days of racing this weekend

Hello Mike! Race week is upon us and thousands of athletes are getting ready to race in Nottingham this weekend. What are you most looking forward to?

There is so much that I look forward to as things come together for the event. From trailers arriving to marquees popping up and of course, the hordes of competitors turning up early each morning nervous, but excited and ready to go out and race.

NSR is a special event in the racing calendar, why did you want to take on the role of Chairman?

When you get asked if you would consider taking on the role of Chairman of NSR, and you are a huge fan of junior rowing, how could you say no!?

For some competitors, this will be their first time racing at the National Water Sports Centre, what can they expect from this year’s event?

Support, and lots of it. From their coaches, their crew-mates, the volunteers, officials, organisers, all ready to ensure they have the chance to compete to their max. Most importantly, they need to be prepared for the level of vocal support that will come from the banks as they race down the course. Over 80 supporter marquees will line the south side of the course, fellow competitors will line the north side. There will be a building wall of noise as they approach the finish. I hope they enjoy it and thrive on the energy.

Over your time involved with the regatta, do you have some favourite memories?

Too many to mention. The number of nearly wins, could have been, should have been which all have their own stories. Crews that should have won but …. And of course the gold medal crews that I had the privilege to coach. One memory that sticks out is from 2004 watching ‘my’ Abingdon crew win Championship 8s in style. Everything clicked and I was able to break free at the front of the coaching peloton as the crew surged ahead. Nice.

As the rowers and coaches start to load their trailers and get ready to travel to Nottingham what do final preparations for the event as well as race day look like for you?

Planning for NSR 2025 began in earnest a month after the NSR 2024 and has involved lots of discussions, meetings, spreadsheets, logistics, paperwork and administration. Moving to a different venue has meant dusting off old plans as well as  making new ones.

The final week is checking and re-checking that all is in place and answering all the questions that come in such as are dogs allowed on the site? (Yes, preferably well-behaved ones). I will be there on Thursday to welcome all. For now, the blazer is dry cleaned, the badge polished, the shirts ironed and the tie(s) chosen. Sun cream and hat packed, rain jacket just in case ( I do live in Glasgow where you always take a raincoat). I am ready.

And finally, what races are you most looking forward to watching?

I love to watch the J14 races and particularly the octos. There is so much jeopardy, so much enthusiasm, and so much joy. I enjoy watching all races though and the introduction of ‘minor finals’ has been great. There may be no medals but there is often really strong and close racing and plenty of pride on display.

For all information about this year’s event, head to the NSR website.