Forward July 2017 | Page 22

SPORT Head of the River 2017 “Give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price for a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast… and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential.” – Epictetus, Roman Teacher and Philosopher 55-135 A.D. Saturday 18 March 2017 is not a date that will be easily forgotten by any Guildford Grammar School rower. After a season hampered by the river in flood and challenges for all crews, the Guildford Grammar School rowers had demonstrated real courage and commitment to their training and each other, arriving at the final regatta well prepared for the day’s challenges. The regatta began exceptionally well with a win in the first event of the day, the 9E quad, who demonstrated the depth and quality of the newest members of our rowing team. Congratulations to this very talented crew, Jordan Bushby (9Be), Lachlan Cross (9Sc), Aidan Sakich (9St), Ben Chapman (9Sc) and William Kail (9St), and coaches Ashton Brown (Sc 09-13) and Jay Mummery. The remaining Year 9 crews demonstrated some excellent racing skills and the experience of this first Head of the River will stand them in good stead as they grow and develop in the coming years. The remainder of the regatta proved to be challenging for a number of crews, with breakages and disappointments in some key events. Real courage was shown by a number of crews, who in spite of early upsets in their races, completed the course with commitment and determination. The final race of the day, the 1st VIII Challenge Cup event, will however be the race that is remembered best by all Guildfordians. This crew came to the regatta as the quiet favourites, winning every regatta in the lead up to Head of the River. After an excellent and aggressive start the crew pulled ahead of the other schools. It was soon clear that both the Christ Church and Trinity crews were going to put everything on the line to reel in the Guildford rowers. In the middle stages of the race the Guildford crew increased their lead, rowing with relaxed rhythm and style, drilled over the course of a season together. In the last part of the race it became apparent that the final contest would be between the Trinity and Guildford crews, with a huge surge from Trinity in the final 500m of the race. With the tenacity and character for which this group have become known, the Guildford crew withstood the challenge with an answer of their own, propelling themselves over the line with half a canvas to spare, winning the 22