Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club

Felix Awards 2026

Recently, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club took time out to recognize ‘Personalities of the Year’: these are awards voted on by all the coaches and committee members of the Club. The pots for the awards were donated by Felix Badcock’s (a past President) wife Jane from the vast collection that Felix had amassed over many years of competitive rowing which give the awards special provenance and significance.

The Junior Felix Award was presented to Reuben Stanford, a J15 squad athlete. His award was given for his ongoing helpfulness and willingness to assist at all times. The Senior Felix Award for 2026 was awarded to Gina Fusco. Gina is currently the Women’s Vice Captain and has galvanised the squad into a force to be reckoned with at regional regattas and heads.

Commenting, Dawson Curnock, Chairman of Stratford Boat Club said, “Stratford Boat Club is built on the ethos of volunteering and Gina and Reuben exemplify this in bucket loads.”

For media coverage, see Stratford Observer page five https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/09/04&pages=32 /4

Stratford Take The Honours at City of Oxford Regatta

On Saturday, Thomas Doherty and Rebecca England represented Stratford in the mixed masters CDE double sculls at City of Oxford Regatta. For their first race, they faced Swindon, a fellow D crew, in the semi-final and enjoyed a comfortable win over the 1000m course. A harder task awaited in the final where they came up against Abingdon. Being older, Abingdon had the advantage of a head start which allowed them to negate the disadvantage of their bend. Even though Stratford had a fast start and a good row, they were unable to row down the deficit on this occasion, coming second out of the six starting crews.

Stratford’s adaptive section visited Oxford Sprint regatta in force on Sunday aiming to take the cup for the best performing Adaptive team. This they duly did comfortably, winning six of the nine events they competed in.

Star of the show for Stratford was the fourteen year old Tristan Caudle-Stephens. He won both his singles and doubles events. In his single, he sculled beautifully against his City of Oxford opponent who had won two weeks early at Maidenhead, winning by three lengths. In the double there was a close fight between Guildford and Tristan and Neville Hand. Technique ultimately told for another three length Stratford win. These were Tristan’s first ever event victories.

Stratford Boat Club’s adaptive squad other fourteen year old athlete Lance Fowler also won a singles event, defeating his Marlow opponent in the final by the ubiquitous three length margin.

Stratford’s James Bastin, who has multiple disabilities, raced with his former Stratford adaptive rower colleague Andy Morris, now at Stourport, and they were drawn against Oxford in his straight final. Another epic fight resulted in a narrow and popular win for James.

The Wards mother/son combo completed a good regatta season against old rivals from the City of Oxford: a tight race ended with Stratford less than a length in front. Also, Ricky Clutterbuck, after suffering disappointment in his single, combined with Andy Morris to defeat another City of Oxford double by a convincing five lengths.

There were final defeats for Edward Owen-Smith in a double, Ricky in his single and for Christiane and Helen Helliwell's double. All learnt from the experience

Edward Owen-Smith also competed in the J15 mainstream singles event as there was no one fast enough to compete against him in the adaptive events and no J14 event. He was a little outgunned and lost his semi-final.

Jake Blatcher got through a tough semi-final in the Open Singles. His final opponent from Falcon proved a tougher nut: Falcon took an early lead but Jake was forcing his way back until he made a mistake. This sealed his fate and Falcon went on to win by just under two lengths,

Mark Dewdney, Stratford’s Head Adaptive Coach commented, "The Victor Ludorum Cup and to honour an adaptive rowing pioneer Andy Weekes who died in February, was our target. All who raced and helped, contributed to Stratford’s adaptive squad taking the honours. City of Oxford regatta completes the adaptive squad's regatta season. Our next major target is the British Indoor Rowing Championships which this year combined with the Worlds in early December."

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page thirty nine

Stratford Triumph at Stourport and Peterborough

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club enjoyed a strong day of racing at Stourport Regatta on Saturday 15 August, with crews competing across junior and masters events on the 1000m course.

The morning saw two Stratford women's junior double sculls take to the water. The crew of Alexandra Francis and Millie Smith crew raced in the semi-final against Hereford Rowing Club, while Poppy Baines and Martha Baines faced Worcester Rowing Club in the other semi-final. Both Stratford crews were narrowly denied places in the final, with Hereford and Worcester progressing to the final, which was subsequently won by the Hereford crew. There was further morning action for Seth Vondrak, racing in the Open J18 single sculls final against Monmouth Rowing Club with Monmouth the victor.

The afternoon brought even more Stratford representation. The crew of Ollie Rowlands, James Albrighton, Theo Richter and Seth Vondrak competed in the senior event for Open coxless quadruple sculls semi-final against Worcester. Both crews were unable to progress to their respective finals. The afternoon's racing continued with Poppy Baines, Martha Baines, Millie Smith and Isla Dunn producing an excellent performance in the Women's Junior coxless quadruple scull semi-final against Stourport Boat Club to earn a place in the final. They then returned to the water later in the afternoon to take on Hereford Rowing Club and secured victory in the final. There was further success for Alexandra Francis in the Women's Junior single scull. After defeating Worcester Rowing Club in the semi-final, Alexandra progressed to the final and completed the job by beating another Worcester crew to claim the event.

With two wins from the afternoon finals, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club finished the regatta on a high. Commenting, Steve Wellstead, J17/18 Coach and Junior Coordinator, said, “The results demonstrated the depth of racing across the Club, with junior, senior and masters crews all gaining valuable competitive experience and two Stratford crews progressing through the heats to deliver excellent performances when it mattered most.”

Corinna Burger and Helen Helliwell lined up for the Women’s Masters D2x semi-final against Warwick at Stourport. Conditions were hot with a slight headwind. A tricky start from the Stratford crew put Warwick ahead from the beginning but once they got into their rhythm they began chasing them down. Unfortunately, even with a final push, the duo couldn’t make up the gap and crossed the line in second place. It wasn’t the result the wanted but had good pieces to develop from.

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Masters squad also competed at Peterborough Summer Regatta over the weekend The build up to this year’s Peterborough regatta started from many weeks before the event with Stratford crews as well prepared as they could be to tackle the 1,000 metre purpose built course. From the purchase of the new ladies’ VIII for the Club and the addition of Polydor the heavyweight 2x making it possible to enter into more races, the squad were set for a full on day of racing with a minimum of two races each from the twelve participants.

Caroline Collins, Charlotte Jones, Abby Symons and Jane Cryer had bravely entered the open w4-. Ellie Davis and Gina Fusco the W Masters E 2x event and Rebecca England and Suzie Radley England the W Masters C 2x event. This was also the line up for the VIII which would be the last event of the day for the ladies Masters. Tom Doherty, David Noyes, Dan Simkins and Pete Spivey made up a Men’s Masters E 4x and they split into the two double scull events with Tom and Pete entering in Masters F and Dan and David in Masters E.

Racing was spread out throughout the day and there was never a dull moment in proceedings but just enough time to recover between races and give our best efforts for the club. The weather had a gusty headwind in the morning followed by a humid and warm afternoon of racing.

Beginning the racing for Stratford were Suzie Radley and Rebecca England in the Women’s Masters C 2x. After a comfortable row to win their heat, they lined up for the final amidst gusty conditions. In a fairly exposed lane, they faced some steering challenges but finished a respectable second out of the seven crews behind very strong opposition from Peterborough City.

Ellie Davies and Gina Fusco rowing in the Women’s Masters E 2x were excited to race at Peterborough for the first time. Despite gusty conditions which made for a slightly zigzagging row, they successfully got through the semi-final and into the final. They came third out of five competitors overall but felt they gave a good performance against very strong opposition from Burton Leander and the winners Peterborough.

Stratford Boat Club women’s masters Charlotte Jones (stroke) Abby Symons, Jane Cryer, Caroline Collins (bow) raced in their coxless IV for the second time this regatta season and a lack of competition in their age category meant they had to row in the open category against younger crews from Chesterton, Globe and home crew Peterborough. Executing a clean and effective start, the crew settled into a good rhythm rating thirty two strokes per minute. Despite the challenges of steering in the strong gusty side-wind the crew managed to stay in their lane and gave a strong performance but were beaten by the younger crews. Caroline Collins, steering at bow said, “We are very pleased with performance and we are taking away great learning points about how to race in windy conditions.”

The Masters Men first race was Masters E quad. Pete Spivey (stroke) David Noyes, Dan Simkins and Thomas Doherty (bow) took to lane three in a straight final against three other crews with one younger Newark crew who had a time penalty. Gusty conditions meant that all crews including Stratford were finding rowing in their lanes challenging. By 250 metres, the Stratford crew had overtaken North Stafford and were bearing down on Bewl Bridge who were by now three quarters of a length ahead. Despite one of the Stratford crew catching a crab, they quickly regained momentum and speed. At 600 metres, the Stratford quad overtook Bewl Bridge and crossed the line winning first by a few lengths with a time was 3:58, a strong performance in the gusty conditions.

In the afternoon division the men began their doubles races. First up were Tom Doherty and Pete Spivey in the Men’s 2x Masters F/G in their first race together as a double. The semifinal presented a competitive field of Broxbourne, Doncaster and Peterborough City. Cautious off the start, by 500 metres, the Stratford crew had found a pace that matched the strong Broxbourne crew beside them and made it through to the final coming in just behind Broxbourne. Going into the final, the duo knew that it would be tough race against Burton Leander, Sudbury and Broxbourne. The Stratford crew got a fast start hitting forty one strokes per minute and maintaining 34 from 100m to 500m by which point they were a length up on Broxbourne, half a length down on Burton Leander and cruising past Sudbury who had already lost their nine second head start. The Stratford team had to adjust course slightly which reduced their speed and Burton Leander pulled away. The battle continued and the Stratford crew raised the rate up to thirty six strokes per minute in the last 100 metres, giving it everything. They achieved a fast time and well-deserved second place only five seconds behind Burton Leander and half a length ahead of Broxbourne.

The second of the men’s doubles Masters E Dan Simkins and David Noyes went into the semi final determined to make the final which they did easily taking the win in their semi final. The final against Bewl Bridge, North Stafford and City of Cambridge began well for the duo, a composed start and into a good powerful rhythm which put them in a strong position in the race. Unfortunately, the Stratford crew caught a number of buoys down the course, as so many other crews had that day, which meant they finished several lengths behind Bewl Bridge but still achieved second place.

The late afternoon brought calmer conditions for the women as they came together to form a women masters E VIII crew Coxed by Rachel Evans, Ellie Davis (stroke) Gina Fusco, Rebecca England, Suzie Radley, Jane Cryer, Abby Symons, Charlotte Jones and Caroline Collins (bow). Racing a straight final against Chesterton and a Star/Milton Keynes composite. After waiting the nine seconds head start for the older composite crew, the Stratford women had a decisive and strong start taking the lead over Chesterton. The steady rhythm set by stroke giving powerful stroke length together with excellent coxing spurring them on, the Stratford crew closed the gap and rowed through the Star/Milton Keynes composite by the 500 metre point and were then able to consolidate a clear lead of ten seconds ahead by the finish. Abby Symons commented, “it’s great to bring home another decisive win for Stratford Boat Club in our new boat and to have executed our race plan to bring home another winner’s pot.”

At the end of the day Tom Doherty said, “Today was all rowing should be about; friendship, camaraderie, laughs and excellent and successful racing by everyone. Thanks so much to Dan for towing which made it all happen. Well done everyone, looking forward to many more days like this.”

For media coverage, see Stratford Observer back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/08/21&pages=32 /30 and online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-celebrate-wins-at-stourport-and-peterborough also Stratford Herald page forty two and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/strong-showing-from-stratford-crews-at-stourport-regatta-9479006 and https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/new-boats-helps-to-bring-decisive-victory-for-masters-squad-9479004.

For more great pictures of Stourport regatta, see Stuart Baines’ excellent selection https://onedrive.live.com/?id=%2Fpersonal%2F3dd8f6a70c0cb625%2FDocuments%2FPictures%2FStourport%20Regatta%202026&listurl=%2Fpersonal%2F3dd8f6a70c0cb625%2FDocuments&ithint=folder&e=A0DZtO&migratedtospo=true&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL2YvYy8zZGQ4ZjZhNzBjMGNiNjI1L0lnQVZIRXVLSnlMaFFLV1A2NXJ0TUJZZ0FVZHdmcERQaVM3Y3Y2Q3A0ejFvZmJBP2U9QTBEWnRP&ga=1

All in the Family!

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s adaptive section and some senior rowers competed at Maidenhead Regatta on Saturday. Sadly, only two Stratford adaptive crews ended up competing, both made up of a mother and one of their children. Both crews were successful and won their events. A third crew was unable to get to the event due to a rail strike.

The final of the Women's Supported Double was between the mother and daughter double of Helen and Christiane Helliwell and an experienced Marlow crew with this being Christiane's first proper competitive event. The Helliwell double consistently pulled away from their opponents throughout the 500m course and won by a convincing five lengths.

The final of another Supported Double event was between the mother and son combo of Paola and Ian Ward and a Guildford crew. Ian had been unwell during the week but despite this, the Wards turned out to be much the stronger crew and won easily.

Jake Blatcher competed in the top band of the Open Singles: he had won two similar events in July but this was not to be his day. Coming up against a strong Reading sculler in the quarter-final, it was nip and tuck the whole way with the Reading man getting his nose in front near the end to win by a canvas.

Jake then doubled up with Helen Helliwell in the Mixed Doubles event. The other crews were young and also very good. The Stratford crew came up against a fast Burway boat in the semi-final and were well beaten. Adaptive Head Coach Mark Dewdney commented, "We were pleased with how the adaptive races went. In the mainstream events, Jake made a few mistakes but he has had a very good season. Our Mixed Double was out-gunned on the day so many lessons learned."

For media coverage see Stratford Herald page forty four and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/five-length-triumph-for-stratford-adaptive-rowers-9478394 and also Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-family-pairs-triumph-for-stratford-boat-clubs-adaptive-squad-at-maidenhead and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/08/14&pages=32 /30

Good to see page five mention 's award for sustainability: https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/08/14&pages=32 /4. Let's keep it going!

RSC NOW REMOVED TREE: EXCELLENT JOB! MANY THANKS!

Stratford Visitors to Henley Town Triumph

Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s J17/18 squad delivered a strong and determined showing at the Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta, an event with roots stretching back to the late 1850s, with several athletes stepping up impressively across multiple races.

In the Open Mixed Double Sculls, Alexandra Francis and Seth Vondrak made a composed debut as a new pairing. Despite facing a far more experienced Warwick crew preparing for the World Masters, they settled quickly, held their pace through the middle of the course and mounted a determined push towards the line. Stratford were narrowly beaten by a third of a length but it was an encouraging first outing for the duo.

Francis returned to the water shortly afterwards, joining her WJ18 4x teammates for their final against Reading. The race quickly became a test of resolve with Reading taking an early lead but Stratford refusing to let the contest slip away. They pressed hard all the way down the course, showing real grit and earning warm praise from the event commentators even though Reading held on for the win.

Vondrak also stepped up again, this time into Band 1 Open Singles, punching well above his Junior 18 status. For an 18 year old, reaching Band 1 is a notable achievement, reflecting the racing points he has already accumulated and placing him directly against some of the regatta’s fastest single scullers. He rose to the challenge with a composed and determined row, giving everything he had against older and more experienced opponents to finish third in the final, another strong marker of his growing potential.

Concluding Stratford’s day were James Albrighton and Ollie Rowlands in the J18 Open Double Sculls. They made a sharp, confident start in their final against Reading Rowing Club, pushing out strongly from the line: however, that early pace proved difficult to sustain over the full course and Reading were able to move ahead. Albrighton and Rowlands continued to fight all the way to the finish but Reading held their advantage to take the win. It remained a committed and promising row from the Stratford double.

Commenting, Colin Bell, J17/18 Coach said, “Taken together, the performances across the day highlighted the growing strength, determination and competitive spirit within Stratford’s J17/18 squad.”

Stratford’s J16 squad were represented by Ed Appleton and Will Shaw in the single sculling competition and Erin Appleton and Immie De Pennington in the double sculls. First up, the boys were pitted against a sculler from Wallingford. Racing three lanes as a straight Band 1 final, all three had quick starts but Will Shaw maintained a higher rating and carved out a lead which he held to win by two and a half lengths over Wallingford with Ed Appleton just a length back and closing the gap, with his superior technique making up for what he gave away in height. Another fifty metres could have seen a Stratford placed one and two!

Stratford’s J16 girls were drawn centre lane in the three way Band 1 final and were up against City of Oxford and Shiplake School. Appleton and De Pennington, who have been working hard on their starts, set off at forty four strokes a minute and took an early lead. Settling into their rhythm and with very tidy sculling, they stamped their authority on the race, extending the lead to win by four lengths over City of Oxford. Commenting on the J16’s performance, Coach Eric Appleton said, “A fantastic brace of winning medals in what is likely to be the last race for the J16’s this regatta season!”

With a reduced entry due to holidays and no opposition for Stratford’s J14 squad, the girls’ 2x a compact squad of a boys’ 2x crewed by Ethan Siwakowski and Archie Mansfield were in a straight final and a boys’ 1x Christopher Durance in an initial semi-final boated in excellent water & weather conditions.

The boys in the 2x had a great race up the course keeping to the race plan and bringing what they had been working on to their row and achieving a credible third place with all three crews showing some skilled sculling.

The 1x had a great start and kept ahead for the majority of the race until about 100 metres from the finish and then had two unfortunate meetings with some river furniture but picked everything back up to just miss out going through to the final in second place.

Commenting, Dawson Curnock, J14 Coach said, “For all three boys, more experience of side-by-side racing at another prestigious event and representing themselves and the Club admirably: onwards boys!”

Also competing at Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta were Stratford’s Masters Women: first to to row were Ellie Davies and Gina Fusco competing in Women’s Masters’ E 2x. Unfortunately, the double had a shaky start and failing to get into their usual rhythm plus clashing with a buoy meant the double lost their semifinal so no medal this time.
Plagued by an injury-strewn summer which limited their training capacity, Rebecca England and Lucy Scarlett were finally able to come back together to race in the Women's Master's A double sculls. Facing strong opposition from Vesta, the Stratford duo rowed well together in the swell and maintained a good rhythm but unfortunately were beaten to the finish line on this occasion.

Last event of the day for Women’s Masters but the first race in the new VIII was a phenomenal success for our Women’s Masters on the iconic Henley course in beautiful conditions. Rowing in Women’s VIII Senior Band and vying for The Sagamore Challenge Cup, the crew of Ellie Davis (stroke), Gina Fusco, Rebecca England, Ruth Poulten, Charlotte Jones, Abby Symons, Caroline Collins, Claudine Pearson (bow) and Jen Cary (cox) had a relaxed and powerful start at rate thirty six strokes per minute before settling and focusing on technique.

Jen steered a confident line down the 800m enabling the crew to apply their power and set the pace against a determined composite Guildford/Walton opposition and a Milton Keynes boat who struggled to keep up. Ellie stroked a superb race which helped the crew to a comfortable two length victory and in a boat which made a decisive difference. Coach Sam Hill said, "I'm so proud of the crew and absolutely delighted that all their hard work on and off the water has paid off. This memorable win is extremely well deserved and testament to their dedication."

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page forty four and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/stratford-juniors-impress-at-henley-regatta-9477387 also Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-junior-and-masters-scullers-triumph-at-henley-town-and-visitors-regatta and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/08/07&pages=32 /32

https://www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk/our-events/dragon-boat-race