Gloucester Autumn Head 2025

Alex, Ewart, Jonathan and Toby picking up the Alan Titchmarsh prize for best canal gardening

Gloucester Autumn Head – A Long Day on the Long Canal!

Last weekend saw Monmouth Rowing Club head across to Gloucester for the Autumn Head. For those unfamiliar with this event, it’s a deceptively long 5km course over still water– and since the finish is over 2km from the club, competitors end up rowing nearly 15km each division. Who doesn’t love a good warm-up and warm-down all in one go?

Monmouth entered two Masters F men’s crews: Toby, Jonathan F, Ewart and Alex M. The quartet decided to make the most of their day, racing first as a coxless four in the morning and then as a quad in the afternoon.

The morning race started well enough – the crew was moving nicely and showing good pace – but things soon took a turn for the scenic. Despite their best intentions, Alex managed to steer into the bank not once, not twice, but three times, with a bit of “light gardening” thrown in for good measure. Local spectators may have appreciated the landscaping efforts, but sadly, the umpires did not award extra points for creativity.

Undeterred (and perhaps inspired to spend a little less time with the canal reeds), the crew re-rigged for the afternoon’s quad race. This time, with power more evenly balanced and steering firmly under control, they flew down the course. Gloucester Canal is notoriously tricky – especially when threading a narrow bridge at speed – but Monmouth held their line beautifully.

Setting off behind a flotilla of junior singles, the crew had plenty of overtaking to do – over ten, in fact – before crossing the line first and taking the win in Men’s Masters F Quad.

My Royal Horticultural Rowing Medal 🏅

The weather behaved itself (mostly), with sunshine in the morning and rain mercifully waiting until everyone was off the water. Huge thanks to Mark for the loan of his truck and to Jonathan for towing.

So, no “Double Gloucester” for Monmouth this time – just one win and a slightly bruised ego – but a great day’s rowing all the same. After all, what’s a Gloucester Head without a bit of adventure, a few wayward branches, and a happy crew heading home with a medal?

See you on the water.