STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club sent a boys and girls quad to the National Schools’ Regatta at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
The event returned to Nottingham after several years away as more than 5,000 junior rowers took to the water.
Stratford’s girls quad reached the D final despite missing crew members through injury.
The crew made a strong start, coming out of the first 100m in second place, but could not sustain the pace of the remainder of the race.
Stratford’s boys quad reached the B final and made a similarly impressive start but lost ground over the second half of the race to finish fifth overall.
J14 coach, Rebecca Paul said: “Both crews had a great day out, learnt a lot from the experience and are looking forward to the next event.”
Stratford’s WJ15 4+ crew of Orla Linforth, Maria Ntoukaki, Naomi Sime and Erin Appleton (coxed by Ed Appleton) competed in the 1,900m time trial.
The crew set the 15th fastest time to qualify for the C final which took place over 2,000m.
And a strong row saw Stratford finish third in the final, finishing just 0.17 seconds behind Kingston Grammar.
J15 coach, Hugo Happel said: “The WJ15 4+ crew did incredibly well against tough competitors from Great Britain and Republic of Ireland, sticking to their game plan and delivering a very memorable row.
“Both on and off the water they were terrific.”
Stratford’s WJ16 coxed four of Martha Cooke, Tessa Parkin, Martha Baines, Becca Smith and Poppy Warren (coxswain) finished 12th in their time trial to secure a spot in the B final.
However, conditions worsened ahead of the final with the crew unable to improve their position despite a plucky row.
Stratford’s WJ18 4x- and WJ18 1x also raced at National Schools Regatta’.
In the singles event, Poppy Baines finished 23rd out of 53 scullers and then competed in the D final she she maintained her position following a strong start.
The girls’ quad of Alexandra Francis, Scarlett Richardson, V Vondrak and Lucy Sartain finished 12th in their first race to reach the B final.
And the crew battled bravely in difficult conditions to finish fifth in a competitive field.
The decision was made to cancel the third day of the regatta, meaning Stratford’s WJ16 coxless quadruple scull of Sophie Franklin, Millie Smith, Maeve Dunn and Isla Dunn did not have the opportunity to race.
Elsewhere, Stratford’s masters athlete Tim Lunel was in action at Monmouth Rowing Club’s regatta.
Lunel won his semi-final despite his opponent having a six-second head start, catching up by the midway point before winning by a couple of lengths.
The handicap increased to 12 seconds in the final with Lunel unable to overturn the sizeable time advantage against a Totnes and Dartmouth sculler.
The club’s masters rowers also took part in the Hereford regatta.
Stratford pair Rebecca England and Tom Doherty took part in the mixed masters C/D double sculls event.
Due to the age advantage of Stratford’s younger crew, their opponents from Bridgnorth received a seven-second head start.
Despite holding a high tempo of 38 strokes per minute over the 850m course, Stratford could not overturn the deficit, finishing seven seconds adrift.
Stratford’s women’s double of Lucy Scarlett and Rebecca England then took part in the senior double sculls event against Minerva Bath.
The crews were level at the halfway point before Minerva Bath edged ahead over the last 250m to take the win.
England said: “Hats off to Lucy who steered a great course in tricky windy conditions against tough opposition.
“We were pleased with our row and look forward to the next event.”
