Welcome
to the National Championships website, which provides you with all the
information you need to be part of this year’s National
Rowing Championships of Great Britain.
If
you’re a potential competitor or coach, please read the
racing and safety information carefully, and in particular make sure
you’re aware of the deadlines for making entries or
registering on arrival at the Regatta. And I encourage you to
make your entries in good time: we do not accept late entries. At
all. Ever.
After
unprecedented weather in 2007 we’re hoping for a much calmer
year, and to let the changes we introduced last year settle
in. In response to many requests, we moved the finals for
Junior 14 and 15 events to Saturday, so younger competitors only need
to attend – and be supervised! – for two
days. And we will once again run time trials in events that
have 25 or more entries. We made these changes to make life
easier for coaches and captains organising their Championships entry,
and to provide better competition for everyone.
I
know some people find it difficult to believe, but the Organising
Committee and officials really do set out to provide a top-quality
event, and like most coaches we’re all unpaid volunteers
doing our best for the athletes. We’re always open
to constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement, so do get in
touch via the link on the front page of the website.
And
finally, a bit of an advert. One of the strengths of the
National Championships has always been the dedication of its volunteer
organisers and officials: over 100 people who work – in all
weathers! – to provide safe and fair racing for
competitors, spectators and supporters. I’m
tremendously grateful for all the hard work our volunteers put in, but
we’re constantly seeking new people to join the
team. Whatever your experience of rowing and racing there are
jobs that need to be done, as part of a team that never forgets that
this is a leisure activity that we should enjoy doing. If
you’d like to know more, get in touch through the website, or
talk to any member of the organising committee as we appear at many
regattas throughout the season.
