Danson Dashes – Race Report

The sunny surroundings of Danson Park in Bexleyheath were the backdrop for a triumphant end-of-season regatta for Poplar in mid-August.

The Danson Dashes, a long-time favourite race for many Poplar crews, was a much bigger and higher quality event than last year. The organisers have built it back up very successfully since the pandemic.

We had a record-breaking 35 athletes entered into 25 events at the regatta. More than one onlooker commented that they had no idea Poplar was able to field so many competitors all at once.

Leading the winners’ charge were Molly & Annika in the women’s double event. They flew down the course in their quarter, semi, and final race to claim a smashing victory.

Next, the coxed mixed quad of Nathan, Annika, Ben, & Molly, coxed by Kim, chalked up another win for Poplar.

A hard-fought race in the mixed doubles event saw Gill & Ben victorious. Gill commented afterwards that she was more nervous for that race than she had been rowing at Henley Royal this year. Everyone knows the stakes are much higher at the Danson Dashes.

A boat-stopping crab wasn’t enough to stop Harry & JP taking the prize for the Masters C doubles event, after wins in the semi and final races. For JP this re-tied the knot of history. His first ever win in a rowing race was in a double at the Danson Dashes exactly 30 years ago. What a way to celebrate the anniversary.

My personal highlight of the day was the women’s fours event. Both Poplar crews that entered were made up largely of ladies who have only recently finished their learn-to-row courses at the club, and for whom this was their first ever race. All eight of them put in awesome performances in their respective semi-finals to secure an all-Poplar final race. In the end it was Taran, Julia, Amy & Noemi, coxed by their legendary coach Ron, who took first place with a superb row.

Another graduate of the Poplar learn-to-row course earlier this year came away with a win from Danson, his first ever race. Joseph conquered all before him in the open singles event, battling his way through the semi and the final. Very well-deserved.

The Masters B men’s coxed four of Ed, Charles, Phil, & Alexis, coxed by Kim, overcame a six second handicap in their final to add another win to Poplar’s tally. For a joyful Phil, this was his first ever win.

Mo sped down the track to take the win in her Masters A singles event. And another all-Poplar final was set up in the women’s masters D singles, after Joelle won her semi-final and faced Lizzy in the final. Lizzy crossed the line first, after a great performance from both scullers.

In total Poplar took gold in 9 events, with many more wins in quarter and semi finals across various events. 20 of our 35 athletes went home with trophies. A huge achievement.

Another extraordinary accomplishment was the club spirit that surrounded our expedition to Danson. Everyone stepped up, without waiting to be asked, to assist with the enormous task of transporting an unprecedented number of boats and people to the regatta.

Molly organised the equipment and trailer loading, and stepped in to cox one of the women’s fours. Tash volunteered to drive one of the trailers without which we could never have managed, and then at the last minute subbed into the women’s eight, on top of her own race in the double. Kim organised the coxing equipment and rota. Anuj supplied a ton of cookies and pastries. Bob and George came down to cheer us on. Nathan poured the pints back at the club at the end of the day.

The support went beyond our own club. We’re indebted to Globe RC for lending us their trailer for the day. We were pleased we could help out a Medway RC crew who needed to borrow a quad for their race at short notice. Local clubs helping each other out goes a long way to creating a great atmosphere at regattas like this.

By far the biggest success was the number of club members for whom this was their first ever race. The learn-to-row courses this year, expertly coordinated by Harry, have produced high-quality racing athletes. We’re deepening and broadening the race experience of the club. We’ve finished the 2022/23 season as we mean to start the next one. Bring on next year.