YPP reports from the DJRC

Members of the British Rowing Young Person’s Panel visited the Diamond Jubilee Rowing Championships on October 20/21, reporting on the event as roaming reporters.

Read their exclusive reports, as well as a series of video interviews produced throughout the weekend, featuring Sir Steve Redgrave, Di Ellis CBE, and a host of famous rowing faces.

Kirsten Adams

Today I rowed against Olympians. What did you do with your day?

‘The DJRC kicked off the 2012/13 season with a bang, causing much excitement among rowers of all ages. Normally unable to attend the National Championships, the university clubs made their presence felt, providing strong competition across the board.

‘The student reception to the new format of the National Championships was, on the whole, positive. Many saw the early season racing as a good opportunity to size up the competition before the bulk of winter training sets in. The Diamond Jubilee Rowing Championships are the only national level regatta where universities and clubs are truly racing alongside each other. The new timing also frees up the higher level athletes to race for their clubs. The chance to race against home grown Olympians at an established Olympic venue is a truly unique opportunity which was relished by those students competing, allowing them to set an early season benchmark in preparation for the forthcoming racing season.

‘Many students saw the positives in the new system, not least the format of racing. Having three guaranteed races would certainly draw those from further afield, who may previously have had reservations about travelling long distances for only one race. The spark from the weekend will hopefully sustain the competitive fire long into the cold winter months.’

Rich Wotton

Welsh Reign Continues at the DJRC

‘Cardiff University held off a strong challenge from two Durham Uni doubles to win the BUCS Men’s 2x category at the Diamond Jubilee Rowing Championships (DJRC) this weekend.

The BUCS results for all crews were extracted from the DJRC results, giving athletes the opportunity to compete for BUCS medals but at the same time to rate their performance against a national field.

‘Imperial College continued to show their power in the lightweight men’s rowing gaining a 1-2 in the men’s lightweight double. Newcastle however, also proved up and coming in lightweight rowing with a win in the Women’s Lightweight 2x along with a bronze in the Lightweight Men’s double – and make their way up north to the Tyne.

‘Local students from Reading University won a gold in the Women’s 2x along with a silver in the lightweight women’s category – Bath University and Imperial College followed Reading home in the women’s 2x.

‘These four crews now go back to their universities as BUCS small boat champions from the DJRC – the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham will hold May’s BUCS regatta, where these crews will get the chance to race again…’

Alice Walker

Interviewing GB Rowing Team Greats

‘On Saturday at the Diamond Jubilee Rowing Championships (DJRC),  I interviewed Jurgen Grobler. The GB Rowing Team coach reinforced why the under 19 events are so important, saying ‘it is the transition between the junior and senior groups’. See the interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxWa8vT3xzY.

‘In another interview, Greg Searle (who was Patron of the event) gives his opinions on how he trains and how people can motivate themselves to do well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlxGiTGmNq4

‘The O U23 4- crew from Greg’s old school – Hampton, finished first in the C final for the 4- on Saturday and when interviewed – chatted about their views on training and school work, their answers relate well with young athletes of similar ages that are going though the same situations. One of the boys said “we train 9 times a week and fitting in homework as well can be difficult”.’