5th September 2008

Twickenham RC sweep to silverware

Selection for a Surfboat team differs dramatically to the standard battery of 2k tests and seat races inflicted on rowers keen for honours . A poster circulated last year amongst the surfboat community had the following strap line advising clubs how to select a surfboat crew:

‘Question: How do you choose a Surfboat Crew? Answer: Stand them against a wall, throw rocks at them and choose those who don’t move.’

Surf boating is where rowing meets surf and has been a professional sport in Australia for some years thanks to the Ocean Thunder Series. It is an extreme form of rowing with its own world of lingo and kit desired to entice those who wish to pit man against the elements. The true beauty of surf boating is that there are many different aspects that contribute to winning a race – superb fitness, mental toughness, timing and a sweep (the person who steers the boat) who knows how to direct a crew in order to exploit the wave conditions to their crews advantage. Often, the savviest crews win over those who are simply fitter and stronger and have failed to appreciate the need for a stronger blend of skills.

The surf boating events around the UK this year have all been geared towards the European Championships and Ocean Thunder Europe and so to Biarritz, France for the weekend of 5/6th September 2008.

Crews from Australia and New Zealand descended on Biarritz in France to compete against Europe’s finest. The event attracted professional surf boaters from the Southern Hemisphere keen to clash oars with 2008 Olympians from France and Great Britain fresh off the back of their Olympic campaigns. Throw in to the mix the cream of UK surf boating and entries from competitive UK flat water and European clubs and not only did it make for an interesting mix of beachside kit, but a tussle for European titles that could have ended up going North or South.

With boats being tossed in their air like pancakes – the event provided a huge spectator hit. The footage re-played in the evening after the event was saluted and laughed at in equal measure. Trademark cuts and bruises were paraded and stories were traded. The winning ‘flip’ had to go to the Bristol crew who saw their boat travel up a wave then being projected through 180 degrees with the crew hitting the water before the boat did.

Four crews from Twickenham flew across to compete at the event – Twickenham Tridents and Twickenham Exiles for the men and “Twicks Chicks” and “Magenta Magic” for the women and we’re pleased to report that the Twickenham Tridents claimed an impressive second place in the Mens European Surfboat Championships Open Event beating a whopping 36 crews. The Open event contained entries from across the world and the crew lost out to the well-respected “Piha Pistols” from New Zealand who had travelled a long way to claim the spoils and deservedly took the title. The result cannot be overestimated – Twickenham claimed the top spot for a UK and European-based crew (and yes that included coming higher up the rankings than local rivals Molesey).

The Twickenham Tridents were: Rich Saunders, Mike Dowell, Jools Whitehorn, Justin Scholes.

Mike Dowell commented ‘Today has been an unbelievable experience and to finish second against such quality competition is a huge honour. Some of the best surf boaters and Olympic rowers in the world are here today and Twickenham has shown it can mix it with the best.’

Twickenham Rowing Club had a huge hand in the event’s preparation and management and Corinne Meadmore-Berset and Richard Meadmore took on the main organisational roles for the event working alongside many people from South West England, Australia and France to deliver an event – which with further support will be held for years to come. Indeed, Corinne took a sabbatical from her job to turn the event into a reality. Mark Ormiston, Doug Davidson and Simon Elsy have also worked hard throughout the year and on race day to help the event come to life. Doug has promised to learn French for the next event – as his dabble with the language down the event megaphone proved a hit – although, his use of the megaphone to constantly as Mark for cups of tea – proved less so.

Relationship building with the town of Biarritz has been exceptional and the event could not have happened without the solid co-operation from the town in terms of resources and their generous welcome. Having an event being officially opened by the town mayor and attracting 15 athletes who have just competed in Beijing was a wonderful start. This event has a buzz around it that could help the surf rowing to become one of the fastest growing new sports in Europe.

Corinne Meadmore- Berset, Twickenham RC member, event organiser and former French Olympic sculler, aptly closed the welcoming speeches by saying ‘we may all speak different languages and come from different backgrounds but the language of rowing is something we all have in common.’ Well that…and maybe the love of beach action and beer.

Emma Jones, a member of the Twickenham women’s team at the event said that ‘Surf boating is something new and different that we as a club can offer to our members. I am officially back in love with the sport of rowing…who knows I may even join in the handiknapps!”

The biggest prize I think we can all take away from the event is the sense of community you get from this sport. We have made friends from across the world this week and look forward to building on our good name and most importantly taking our eye-catching magenta kit to the beaches of the UK and beyond. ’

We have come amazingly far as a club in two or three years. The biggest progress this year has been being able to integrate more and more still water rowers with surfboat traditionalists from Australia. The blend is proving to be a winner and we are definitely in an upward growth phase. Don’t forget – we have no surf in Twickenham but so many rowers already have bags of transferable skills so if you want to get involved put your hand up.

Through its efforts as a club, Twickenham RC has gained worldwide exposure and gained credit as a club for making things happen. All efforts were made on a voluntary basis and so many club members have been brought together as a result of the event. The event will be televised on Eurosport and the millionaire owned backer of the Australian based Ocean Thunder machine saw the event as a raging success and wants the event to continue. One big advantage of the Eurosport coverage is that several other crews also raced in the boat plastered with Twickenham RC down the side. Photos of the women’s crew can be seen on the French Concept 2 web site but more photos will be released soon.

At the event, Twickenham RC ended with having invitations from Bude Runners and Llantwit Crocs to train on the coast. We also extended our own invitations to a junior crew from New Zealand offering them use of the clubhouse should they wish to come over for the next European event.

The Surfboat section is pleased to bring something else that the club can celebrate at the Annual Dinner on 21 November 2008. See you all there!