JIRR (Junior Inter-Regional Regatta) – 16th March
On March 16th, around 70 QE students from QEHSRC (65 competing, 5 sixth formers helping out) as well as a group of around 25-ish students from rival Hexham RC – as well as 2 rowers from Tyne United RC and one from Tyne Amateur RC – travelled to Ashington to compete at the annual regional trials for a national event, the JIRR (Junior Inter-Regional Regatta).
This event selects 1 crew for each kind of boat from 13 regions across the UK – ours, North, stretches from Berwick and Talkin Tarn down to Stockton and Middlesbrough. It is one of the largest events on our calendar, and we have been training since September. Only open to years 9, 10 and 11, with only the top crew in each category qualifying, it is always a big deal even getting into a crew to go to this event for the approx. 150 students involved. QE students made up about half of the competitors overall. QEHS and Hexham combined took an unusually and impressively large portion of the winnings!
Tyne Head – 17th February
14 QEHS rowers competed in the Tyne Head competition based from Tyne Rowing Club. The Tyne gave us much better conditions to race than the previous race here. We had six crews entered, all of which performed extremely well especially given we have had so few training sessions on the water recently. No wins in this event, however notable performances include year 10 boys quad (Alexis, Josh, Dennis, Alex and cox Edward) coming 2nd, year 11/12 girls four (Rachel, Lucy, Ellen, Evie, cox Merry) coming 3rd against some strong senior opposition and the year 11 boys 4 (Hugh, Seth, Benji, Felix, cox Merry) again coming 3rd in the senior category.
Durham Small Boats Head – 3rd February
After event cancellations due to storms, QEHS rowers competed at Durham Small Boat Head. This was the first competitive event for many of the Y9 rowers, and it was a key step in their rowing development.
The Durham event is a great spectator event as there is a footpath all along the course. However, it also includes the tricky Elvert bridge, with its narrow arches to manoeuvre through. I am pleased to report that all QEHS boats made it through the arches with expert guidance from the older pupils’ coxing boats.
Performance of the day went to Seth M in Y11, who won in a single. Other strong performances came from, the Y9 boys who came 3rd, an excellent performance as they have not had a lot of water time due to the weather. The Y10 boy’s quads performed well and look to be strong contenders in every race this year. The Y10 girls performed brilliantly in their first sweep race. The Y11 boy’s quad rowed well to pick up second place overall.