Nottingham City Regatta 2026

Pride and Pierrepont (surely Prejudice)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single sculler in possession of a fine boat, must be in want of flat water. Well, obviously Jane Austen never took to the Nottingham City waters in May.

Monmouth Rowing Club headed to the 1000m course looking for a preview of the British Masters Championships coming up in June. What we found instead was a masterclass in survival. With temperatures staying stubbornly low and a biting wind whipping the water into a choppy mess, the day was less about "elegant sliding" and more about "holding on for dear life."

Dawn, Frances and Liz

The Conditions: A Testing Ground

Holme Pierrepont is famous for its multi lane racing without prejudice (sometimes), but when the wind catches it, it transforms from a Darcy into more of a Mr Collins. The conditions today: windy, cold and choppy.

Despite the rough ride, the day provided invaluable multi-lane experience. Finding your rhythm with five other boats breathing down your neck is something you just can't simulate on the Wye.

Results Round-Up

It wasn’t our most decorated day on the podium, with many of our crews finding the transition from river training to choppy lake racing a tough nut to crack. However, the grit shown across the board proves the club’s fitness is right where it needs to be.

Pride was also tested in the Mas F2x (Mark and Tim E), when a steering pin attached to the rudder came loose and the pair had to stop.

Results

• Sue S, W MasD DivB 1x , 2nd

• Bonita B W Mas D DivB 1x, 3rd

• W ME2- (Liz and Sue) , 3rd

• Monmouth (Mark W and Tim E)/Bradford, Op MasG/H 4x-, 1st

• W MasH 2x (Helen and Frances) 2nd

• WMas E 4x (Sue, Liz, Dawn and Bonita) 5th

• W MasE/F 4- (Sue, Liz, Dawn and Bonita) 4th

The Big Win: A Cross-Club Triumph

Our standout moment and sole victory of the day came from a brilliant composite crew. The Op MasG/H 4x- quad. Fresh from their Vets Head victory in March, the powerhouse combination of Monmouth and Bradford on Avon (Mark W and Tim W), handled the rough water with their usual precision. They crossed the line in 03:49.9, taking the gold.

Our single scullers Bonita and Sue

Special mention must go to both single scullers, Sue and Bonita and all the small boats, especially Frances and Helen K in the WMas H2x for braving and surviving the conditions.

Helen and Frances in the sunshine

Also a big thank you to Mark W for towing.

Looking Ahead to June

While we might have preferred the "flat water" of our Pride & Prejudice dreams, these rough-and-ready days are exactly what build championship character. We leave Nottingham with a few more lessons learned, a bit more "rough water" callus on our hands, and our sights firmly set on the British Masters.

As Mrs Bennet might have said, when asked about the advantages of being single.

"Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single sculler of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls! Imagine the technique she might impart, provided the water remains undisturbed."

See you all at the Monmouth Regatta on 23rd and 24th May.