OTRC at Huntingdon Regatta

Huntingdon Regatta

5^th July 2026

Wow, what a day!

With rowers leaving the boat house at 10am and not leaving again until the clock swept passed 10 once more, a 12 hour day in the sun breeze certainly tired everyone out and that was without the rowing.

With 5 boats racing in the event, things were kicked off by the juniors Tyresse and Henry in their singles. However, it was noticed that Tyresse had NRO when he was looking to register so in essence was 5 hours early for his final later in the day at 4.45pm.

Henry’s race went ahead as planned and he put in a great performance being pipped on the line, however initially his opponent was DQ for crossing and impeding Henry. Later I could see that his opposition must have been reinstated as results show he went on to win the final. Maybe David can clear this one up and I’m sure Henry will describe what happened far better too.

Next up came the Mens Quad with Robert, Tomo, Gary and Jon. Up against the local old arch enemy Peterborough, the guys were determined to get through to the final and after hanging on to their lead around the bend, they go through to the final by a canvas.

All of the crew with the exception of Gary, then jumped towards the 8 boat, joining Liz, Peter, Jason, David, Mark & Nick. On to the water and a lengthy delay in the boat waiting for the previous division to finish, before making their way to the start. Navigating the corners and learning all the way the 8 held a slim lead against Peterborough once more and finished by ¼ length.

So, at this point (getting on for 4.45pm) we are 1 NRO and 2 WINS, 1 ?? unsure what’s happened to Henry (David and Henry will I’m sure be able to explain far better, so catch up with them to get the gruesome details) & zero losses. Tyresse also finds out his race has been moved back a division and will be boating in his final at 6.15pm which was the same time as the Men’s quad final too.

Here we go again, for an even longer wait on the water. Tyresse goes off first and puts in a good performance, sadly beaten by the opposition from Huntingdon.

Followed closely by the Men’s Quad this time up against Norwich, pushing hard the guys battled but in the end were beaten by a few lengths, but oh boy this is going to make them even more determined to win in the 8 which was made up of several of the same guys from Norwich once more. Let’s say it was a grudge match and things needed to be levelled out. So Robert, Tomo and Jon hauled their quad out of the water and turned round straight back into the 8 for the final, not sure what my face looked like but even the lady organiser commented on how there was a sense of pride at stake, she couldn’t have been closer to the truth.

On a slightly calmer front, Claire and Agela then find out their opposition for the double has disappeared back to Peterborough, so they didn’t even need to row through and exceptionally disappointing to win in that way having taken the time to get there and not race.

It came down to the Men’s 8!! Could Liz guide them to the win they desperately wanted.

Cut to the start, boats are lined up and we’re off, drawing well, building even better, but Norwich appear to be gaining round the final bend, Liz calls ‘LONG and STRONG’, boy did that do the trick, we held it right to the line and won comfortably by a canvas. Prizes for all in the boat, but for Liz and Tomo it was their virgin pots and I'm sure won't be our last. Also great for Nick to go back and win onn the river where his rowing career started many moons ago.

And breath!

Thanks to everyone who raced, the training, the organising and the effort always pays in the end and I’m sure will continue to get better at every event.

Next stop St. Neots in a few weeks, so if you can come along and support OTRC please do, be great to see you all getting behind those racing, if you are not in the boats yourselves of course.

This is one very tired Tomo signing off after a long day yesterday, then watching the football and taking my wife out for her birthday lunch today.

A few images and very short video via this link : https://canva.link/uuz7rm2hobjfi3w