![Paris 2024 Olympian and current European champion guest of honour at annual House Regatta and Boat Club dinner]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752145218/canfordcom/dqftv2y9zxxaklo1fxdj/CanfordHouseRegatta-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752145218/canfordcom/dqftv2y9zxxaklo1fxdj/CanfordHouseRegatta-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752145218/canfordcom/dqftv2y9zxxaklo1fxdj/CanfordHouseRegatta-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1752145218/canfordcom/dqftv2y9zxxaklo1fxdj/CanfordHouseRegatta-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752145218/canfordcom/dqftv2y9zxxaklo1fxdj/CanfordHouseRegatta-1.jpg","width":1452}])
Canford Boat Club were honoured to host Matt Aldridge, Paris 2024 rowing Olympian and European champion at the annual House Regatta and Boat Club dinner held on Saturday 7th June at Canford.
The event followed its usual format with fast and furious racing, supportive spectators, some joyous music from Poole Borough Brass Band, a Pimm’s Bar supported by the Friends of Canford Rowing, and an excellent cream tea provided by Canford’s in-house catering. The rain came but didn’t quash anyone’s enthusiasm and for the first time parents, including Headmaster Ben Vessey, raced in two eights. There was some impressive racing across all events, with the following people and houses winning events:
Shell Girls 1x – Jemima T (Lancaster)
Shell Boys 1x – Will T (Salisbury)
J15 Girls 1x – Celyn H (Marriotts)
J15 Boys 1x – Henry M (Franklin)
Senior Girls 1x – Freya C (Lancaster)
Senior Boys 1x – Noah D (Franklin)
Shells Girls 4X+ - Salisbury/de Lacy (Emily C, Izzy M, Tara M, Immy B)
Shell Boys 4X+ - Monteacute /Court (Tobias S, Chris T, Quentin X, Tommy T, Kaylie L)
J15 Boys 4+ - Salisbury/Lancaster (Jack B, Matteo A, Jamie S, Oscar W, Scarlett S)
J15 Girls 2x - de Lacy/Marriotts (Celyn H, Kitty C)
Unfortunately, due to poor weather we were unable to finish the racing for Senior Coxed Fours, and Senior Coxed Pairs. The overall winners of House Regatta were Lancaster after a dominating performance. Congratulations Lancaster! After drying off, the evening dinner was a splendid affair with around 130 people and our guest speaker Matt Aldridge Olympian from the Paris 2024 games and current European champion.
Lotty Toogood, Assistant Head of Rowing, commented:
“The annual House Regatta is a highlight of our school rowing calendar, bringing together rowers of all ages and abilities together for an afternoon of competitive sport mixed with a lot of fun out on the river. We were delighted to welcome Matt Aldridge, Olympian from the Paris 2024 games and current European champion, to Canford for the Boat Club dinner to talk about rowing after school. Thank you to all the rowing coaches, catering staff, our Guest Speaker, Matt Aldridge and our Development team, Rowena Gaston and Rachael Daniel for making the event one to remember!”
This short film created by Canford School Photographer, Paul West, gives a flavour of the day:
House Regatta film
Stop press: Following on from the House Regatta we are proud that our boys’ 8+ and cox Ella qualified for Henley Royal Regatta, making it through to Day 2 of Henley. On Day 1, the Canford crew came back from a length down to win against French crew, Boulogne 92. Canford’s Henley campaign concluded on Day 2 of the Princess Elizabeth Cup after a tough race against a strong Eton crew. It was an amazing effort from the boys’ 8+ and great coxing from Ella. Congratulations!
