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Recent News - 2010 Season

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Club Announcement - New Lease

We are delighted to announce that the Mayor and Cabinet of Hackney have agreed the proposal to 'enter into an agreement to grant the Lea Rowing Club a 99 year lease on the land currently occupied by the club at Spring Hill on the River Lea'.
This is fantastic news as it guarantees the future of rowing on the Lea. Securing the new lease is the culmination of 10 years of work and negotiation with Hackney council. Many thanks to everyone who has helped us get this far and all the hard work that has been put in.

Securing the new Lease is, however, only the first step towards the final goal of a new boathouse. The 'boathouse redevelopment' link gives more information of what we hope to achieve. If anyone wishes to help with fundraising, has useful contacts or ideas to contribute the redevelopment please let us know!

Race Report - Veterans Head

A record 45 rowers from the Lea competed at the Vesta Veterans Head on Sunday 28th March. 5 eights raced and there were some great results. The women's vet D eight (over 50) came second in their category and the men's Vet G eight (over 65) came third. Both crews were only beaten by ex-international composites.

There were 2 women's veteran novice crews and one was the fastest women's novice eight on the river but were beaten into 3rd place on handicap. The second crew had a great row too and were delighted with their efforts. The men's novice Vet B crew had a lot of pressure on them as they started near the top of the order. They had a tough row but declared themselves pleased with their race.

Many thanks to all the coxes: Yaz, Sally, Conor, Pete and Tiny - they all did a fabulous job, particularly as the race was run back to front from Hammersmith to Chiswick so they really had to work hard to keep us all in the stream!

Final overall positions: 35 Men Vet G, 123 Women Vet D, 170 Men Vet B, 176, Women Vet Novice (lea/Broxbourne), 197 Women Vet Novice.

Club Announcement - Arrival of Women's Empacher Viii

Lea RC is delighted to announce the purchase of an Empacher as a new top women's Viii. The investment in the Viii underlines Lea RC's commitment to the development of the women's squad and gives our women the equipment needed to win races in this, and coming, regatta seasons. The women's squad have already been out in the boat and announced their delight. The new Empacher will be given its first race outing at the VHoRR next week make sure you look out for it there!

Social Event - Annual Dinner Dance, to be held 17 April 2010

The annual club Dinner Dance is to be held on 17 April 2010. The event will be the usual fantastic affair with Champagne reception, 3 course service dinner and Henry Lawrence as DJ. There will also be annual awards, raffle and more! Tickets are £40 (concessions available for juniors) and are available from Josh Coleman-Pecha and Catherine Hayes. Please email captain@learc.org.uk or secretary@learc.org.uk.

Race report - Women's Head, 13 March 2010

The Lea can be proud of it's women this week - with three eights entering the Women's Head and all three doing really well.

On a beautiful, calm, sunny afternoon, the 1st Viii moved up 140 places to finish at 101, guaranteeing a top 100 starting place next year. Off the start the crew immediately found their race pace and within the first two minutes found themselves overtaking. They continued reeling in boats, taking a total of five scalps, and nearly made it seven. A finishing time of 20:54 gave a placing of 101 (27th out of 114 IM3 crews), which was a fantastic result for an inexperienced crew. This, and the women's squad brand new Empacher, will hopefully set a platform for a successful summer reacing season.

Crew: Pete K (cox) ; Flick S (str), Lizzie P; Rose RR; Catherine H; Steph W; Grace C; Suzanne V; Sara C - Coach: Gill P
The novice crew had been through some changes in the weeks prior to the race due to injuries to crew members. With the help of excellent weather conditions and buoyed by support from the river bank, the novices had a good row on the day, managing to move up 31 places and beat 22 other (younger!) novice crews.

Crew: Sally L, Elle W (str), Constance Z, Clare W, Frankie V, Jo Br, Karen G, Nicky S, Alix - Coach: Helen G
The Vet C crew had been quietly going out under the cover of darkness for a couple of months and were a bit dazzled by the bright sunshine on Saturday. The umpires had to stop the crew from overtaking even before the start line but the crew did overtake twice before Barnes Bridge. They moved up 100 places to finish 121 overall, creating a good chance of a top 100 start next year, and were only beaten by crews in their division boasting ex internationals.

Crew: Yas K (cox), Gill P (str), Jo B, Rachel P, Amanda S-B, Bridget S, Penny C, Helen M, Laura G.
Special thanks go to the coxes and supporters. Especially Pete for weaving the IM3 crew past a number of opposition crews, Ivan Brookes for his support from the bushes at Tradesman, Michelle Edwards with video camera and Tom Bott with the post-race teas.

Club Announcement - Boat club flat, room available

A vacancy has become available in the boat club flat. Rent is £380 a month not including bills. Please email enquiries to the Chairman or Captain at captain@learc.org.uk

Club Announcement - EGM, 6 March 2010

Lea RC held an EGM of the club on 6 March 2010 in order to vote on the election of a new Captain, and if required, new Vice-Captain. Lea RC is pleased to announce that Joshua Coleman-Pecha was elected as club Captain and Tom Bott as Vice-Captain. If you wish to email Josh or Tom they are contactable at captain@learc.org.uk and vicecaptainmen@learc.org.uk respectively.

Club Announcement - Arrival of Recreational Rowing Fleet, February 2010

At the beginning of February Lea RC was pleased to take delivery of it's new fleet of Recreational rowing boats. In partnership with British Rowing the club has purchased 4 fours, 2 pairs and two singles. Specifically designed to be stable and safe the rec boats are perfect for teaching beginners how to row. In addition the rec boats will be used by our new recreational rowing squad which takes to the water on Sunday mornings. To celebrate the arrival of the recreational boats we will be organising a celebration at the club - more details to follow!

If you are interested in learning to row, or joining the recreational rowing group, please check the 'Learn2row' section of the website or email captain@learc.org.uk.