The atmosphere was one of the best I have ever raced in, with many universities boating from the same places and seeing old friends who had moved on to different parts of the UK. Creating such a fantastic environment helps crews realise what they’re actually racing for: proudly representing their universities and striving for that gold medal that everyone yearns for.
Racing on the Tyne is never just about speed. It takes a good eye and strong judgment…
Countless hours go into preparation for this race in particular, making it one of the biggest head races in Europe. All the 5am wakeups and hours spent in the gym or on the water seem worth it for a medal, or even just for the opportunity to race in such a prestigious event.
Everyone here is in the same boat.. quite literally. Racing on the Tyne presents its own difficulties, with the tide moving in and out at different times, creating stronger streams in the afternoon for Division 2. This year brought almost prime conditions, with little wind, meaning crews were able to speed by.
However, racing on the Tyne is never just about speed. It takes a good eye and strong judgement from coxes to create the best line possible, steering their boat out of the headwind and straight towards the finish. As we know, the Tyne is not a straight line (as much as we wish it could be) so it takes a great deal from the cox or bow person to steer a clean line, which could mean the difference between medalling and missing out.
We are all in pain, but we work together to get where we want to be
Newcastle powered down the track, executing their race plans and holding firm against rival crews. They finished with two golds, two silvers, two bronzes, and many crews just missing out on the podium.
After months of hard training, the boat club brought home many medals, proving the strength of the club, the coaching team, and the athletes themselves. People think this sport is only physically demanding, but they don’t talk about the mental toll it takes: the early mornings, freezing temperatures, blistered hands, and a long list of injuries. It’s key to maintain a strong mindset for the best chance of winning. Athletes must manage their pain, push through it until the end, while focusing on timings, ratings, and calls from the cox. We all share the same understanding: we are all in pain, but we work together to get where we want to be.
It’s not an easy sport. We just make it look easy. A big well done to all who raced!