All of the age groups were realistic medal prospects but the J13s had the misfortune of tipping their double when they rather overenthusiastically corrected their steering. They were mortified by their failure, which was made all the more bitter to bear because they have been leading the field at the time. Happily, the other age groups were all successful. In 2007 and 2008 the club had been denied a medal in the finals because of equipment failure or catching crabs. This year in the octuple final we had our trademark crab with blood and gore, but this time only two strokes from the finish. At last we had a medal and, although it was bronze, it was still a very fine way to finish a hard-fought season. The J12 double were unaware that they were even in contention for a medal so were overjoyed when I broke the news to them at the rafts once they had finished their final. They are both very good scullers and I'm sure that these medals will be the first of many.

It was a very happy group which made its way back down the A1. The journey back was memorable because of the torrential storm which we had to travel through. The lightning and a volume of water was more in keeping with the tropical storms of my youth than with the summer showers of England.