Scullers Head: A windy start to head race season

After brushing shoulders with rowing greats George Bourne and Imogen Grant, six Poplar athletes pressed against the wind up to Chiswick Bridge, ready to officially kick off the winter racing season.

Here is how the squad fared in the testing conditions on 19 September 2026:

• Joseph L: First away for the club in the Open Lightweights, Joseph put up a strong fight in a tough category to finish 16th, narrowly missing out on beating his previous time.

• Tommy: Up next in Open Masters C, Tommy put in a fantastic shift to finish 6th. He secured Poplar’s fastest time of the day and set a brand-new personal benchmark on the course.

• Nathan & Joseph C: The duo battled it out in the highly competitive Open Club Championship category, bringing it home with strong rows in 10th and 11th place respectively.

• Joelle: Following a massive shift at the World Masters just the previous week, Joelle showed no signs of fatigue. She put in an impressive performance, sculling a technically strong race to take a superb 3rd place.

• Taran: Making her first foray into the Masters Lightweights, Taran rowed exceptionally well to clock the quickest category time and achieve a new course personal best. After a tense wait and a dramatic turn of events, the application of handicaps ultimately placed her in a very respectable 5th.

A special mention and massive thank you must go to Charlotte and Andrea for their invaluable on-ground support, capturing great pictures, and cheering the scullers over the finish line.