Teddington 2025 – Oxford Amateur Rowing Club

Teddington Head – 22nd November 2025

Womens Squad and Men’s Squad – W8+, Mx8+, M4-, W1x

4 hardy crews took part in Teddington Head race, organised by Walbrook Rowing Club. This takes place along a 5.2 km stretch of the Thames from Hampton Court to Stevens Ait (an island!). We entered an experienced Women’s 8+ and Open 4-, a novice Mixed 8+, and a very experienced Women’s 1x. It is fair to say all the crews were challenged by the choppy conditions, but faced strong competition from the many local clubs rowing on their ‘own turf’

M4+

The crew for Teddington was originally a variation on the boat that had raced the Fours Head the previous weekend, but at the last minute Mark H had to step in an injured Nick C. Racing in Open Fours (despite an average age of over 40) in the second division, meant a more leisurely start to the day.

The forecast was torrential rain for later in the afternoon to coincide with the race start. Under grey skies and windy condition, we took to the water and executed a near flawless warm up. A chilly 40-minute wait whilst the crews assembled, then we turned and were off. We settled into a loose and easy r30-31, set by the metronomic Mark, and set up about ticking off the metres. Simon in his best foot-twiddling mode steered an excellent line on unfamiliar water and punctuated his general encouragement with calls of “we’re gaining”. By this time the rain was falling steadily.

After a slight mid-race plateau, a ratio call by Steve resettled the crew, but unfortunately not long after at about 3km we heard a clunk and it felt like a drag anchor had been thrown out of the rear. We’d run over a piece of wood that had become wedged on the fin, so had to stop and reverse to remove it, costing us maybe 40 or 50 seconds. We managed to get back into the groove and ground out the final 2km into the teeth of the driving rain, with an interminable gap between Kingston Bridge and the finish. We crossed the line pleased with our row, and facing a slog back to the start. We came 3rd, but without our tangle with the wood might well have finished second. A good day at the office.

Mark H, Dave H, Steve T, Simon K

Mx8+

Teddington heads was quite an undertaking for many of us in the mixed 8, rowing on the Thames for the first time, over such a long distance and, as it turned out, in terrible weather! It was wet, windy and cold!

We all however, completed the course and were not the slowest boats out that day. Just participating in the event itself was a success and provided valuable, if harsh, on-water experience, something great to reflect on later when we were all warm and dry and back in the pub!

Huge thanks as ever due to Stewie for getting the boats there and guiding us through the day, and a special thanks to the Mx 8+ cox for such diligent preparation beforehand and leadership through the race.