Wimbledon Rows

Wimbledon Rows Wimbledon High School’s Boat Club is made up of much more than students who just want to get out on the water.

The rowers’ team spirit, dedication and camaraderie especially over the last few months has been astounding, along with the unwavering support of their Olympic Silver medal winning coach, Gillian Lindsay and the parents who continue to strive to provide the very best for the WHS Boat Club (WHSBC). Prior to 2016, Wimbledon was not necessarily known for its prowess on the water, however a recent reconnection with alumna Charlotte Butler (Class of 1995) reminded us that whilst it might have been some time since Wimbledon High won any medals, there had been crews who had succeeded before.

Today, Charlotte runs a successful diversity training company in London, but has fond memories of her time on the Thames: “Being a part of the 1995 WHS Rowing team was an experience I will never forget. During the winter months this plucky crew of beginners would meet by the banks of the Thames in Putney after school, rowing out of the boathouse kindly lent by King’s College School (KCS). We laughed, we got wet, we got cold, we got sore hands, we sang, we almost lost a car to the incoming tide, we laughed some more.” A sweep of the school archives revealed that there had in fact been a rowing team during the mid 1990s. Further investigation showed that the team was run by the then Head of PE Mrs Garner, who joined WHS in 1992 and that the squad used the KCS club house as their base.

This excerpt taken from the 1995 WHS School magazine, shows how the girls quickly took to the water with some early successes, part due to some tactical game play:

WHS 1995 Rowing team – Top Row L-R: Laura Cook (née Rose), Alex Meloy (neé Phelps), Marion Cook (née Riddle) Katherine Fortin Bottom Row L-R: Caroline Hutton, Lisa Miller (née Petch), Charlotte Butler, Hattie Moser (née Schlesinger), Amelie Harle (née Horgan)

Crossing the finish line - From Bow seat: Katherine Fortin, Amelie Harle (née Horgan) (Captain), Alex Meloy (neé Phelps), Lisa Miller (née Petch), Laura Cook (née Rose), Gemma Anson, Marion Cook (née Riddle), Hattie Moser (née Schlesinger) and Charlotte Butler We then began our cunning plan to lull all teams into a false sense of security by appearing to be totally inept on the water including:

Leaving our cox on the bank while we drifted into the centre of the Thames much to the other teams’ amusement.

Forcing one of our crew to take a short, sharp dip. Attacking Westminster with our blades, accidentally of course. Facing the opposite direction to every one of the other three hundred crews

We passed through the start line with speed and determination to prove ourselves. Ours was the last boat in the division so our only aim was to overtake. Over a short distance and with ease we rowed straight past Westminster. The adrenalin continued to flow as we overtook the next crew. We knew this was going to be a hard race, but we didn’t realise how hard until about three quarters of the way through. As we went through the finishing line, we were all too exhausted to speak. We were greeted by a rather muddy Marcel and Mrs Garner as they had run down the tow path yelling support, which to their disappointment none of us had heard. We anxiously awaited the results and could hardly believe it when they announced that Wimbledon High had won the Women’s Junior Novice VIII’s division.”

Today WHS are proud to be representing rowing at all levels and across most year groups. Now rowing from Molesey Boathouse, gaining silver in the Nationals in May 2019 and with an Olympian at their back, we are sure Mrs Garner, and our rowing alumnae would be proud!

“WHSBC is one of the country’s fastest growing junior rowing programmes and it feels great to be at the helm. I have no doubt the next 4 years will be every bit as exciting, busy, fun and memorable as the last, with the pipe-dream of ‘doing’ all of this from our very own Boat Club…the thought of WHSBC boating from a beautiful Boat Club along the River Thames in 140 years is a marker I am hugely motivated to leave behind.”

GILLIAN LINDSAY, whs

head of rowing