Author: Jacq Barnard

The weather was perfect but the launch slightly delayed following a comment on how easily the boat moved following inflation of the tyres and greasing the axels. Fortunately the clip that was retaining the wheel before it fell off was readily found and a wheel running on a mixture of dirt and grease still rolls quite well.

Nothing too adventurous for the first row just a trip up to Bromeswell Common for lunch. Following an enforced period of mostly solitary activity just being together on our lovely river was enough and made it a memorable trip. Looking forward to many more.

Covid has been difficult and restricting but at last British Rowing have allowed coastal rowing to resume providing that the crews stay together in a bubble.

So here is our ‘Bubble’ enjoying a late afternoon row to the Wilford Bridge on the 9th September. Not exactly coastal conditions for Steve Smith’s inaugural row but it was lovely to enjoy the clam of the Deben once again.

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The first row of 2020 after a few previous attempts thwarted by strong winds. We rowed down to Waldringfield against the flood tide and crossed the river to The Hams to step ashore for lunch. Returning to Woodbridge we continued upstream to get a nostalgic view of Whisstock’s birthplace in the Longshed and returned to the DYC. The proficiency of the rowers showed that nothing had been forgotten in the past 7 months! Looking forward to the next one.

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On a very windy Saturday Morning in September – Jacq, Fiona, Andy, Chris and David prepared Whisstock to take to the water.

Using the DYC dingy park to remove the cover and frame and set things up is proving to be excellent. There is plenty of space and maneuvering the skiff up the hill and down the slipway is surprisingly easy.

Caro and Brian had come to see us set off and take the photographs below which was a lovely send off.

With winds gusting up to 38 mph the crew slowly made their way along the tourist section to Kyson Beach with much waving from people walking along the exposed pathway. The first plan was to see what it was like in the Martlesham Creek but this proved to be almost impossible with a strong headwind so we turned around and headed back up stream.

To our great surprise we were able to hover around the Tide Mill and watch a group of Morris Men perform outside The Longshed. They seemed very pleased to see us as very few pedestrians had braved the day.

It’s nice to know that we can still have a paddle on the days when others aren’t brave enough to take to the water.

Thanks Crew

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On Friday ‘Whisstock’ was moved from the Longshed to her new home at the DYC where she now sits in the back dinghy park proudly wearing her new cover.

On Saturday, she was immediately taken out again by Beryl, Caro, Chris, Jacq, Jo, and Myles who had a nice outing up to Wilford Bridge and back again against the tide. The group found it very easy to launch and retrieve her from the DYC slip and skillfully managed to avoid all the yacht racing that was going on at the same time.

Big thanks to Julian for fitting a jockey wheel to the trolley as it made the route to the waters edge very easy.

On Saturday the 24th August eight WCRC members decided to support the Macmillan appeal by rowing all the way to Felixstowe, out to sea, and back again.

Six crew members took on the first journey with two swapping at Felixstowe and walking home along the river. All were reunited at the Waldringfield Maybush on the way back for a quick drink before setting off again.

This is the furthest that ‘Whisstock’ has been taken and definately the first time out to sea. Having said that conditions were not too challenging as the sun shone and the wind stayed away.

Whilst waiting for the tide to rise enough to put the skiff away one brave crew member changed into a swimsuit and had a quick dip to cool down.

All crew members made a donation to the macmillan fund for taking part and bought one of the sponsorship T-Shirts to wear on the day. All money raised from other trips during the Macmillan two weeks will also be donated to the charity.

It was a great day out and proved that a full days outing would always be possible so long as the tides are ok!