Walworth junior rower Jamie Rimmer dominated the opposition to win the first single scull race at Kingston Regatta last weekend.
Jamie, 14, has been rowing for just one year but followed up his success at the Italian National Indoor Junior Championships in May with another impressive victory.
As recently as a month ago, Jamie had only ever been in a single boat three times but thanks to his school, St Thomas the Apostle in Peckham, allowing him to leave a few minutes early each day, he has been travelling to the Team Keane Rowing Club, by the Thames in Brentford, to get invaluable water practice.
“Single boats are notoriously difficult to row,” Jamie said. “They are so finely balanced. One mistake and you’re in the water – swimming. It takes a lot of experience to get the balance right.”
The Kingston Regatta is a long-established event and had over 400 crews competing over two days in more than 320 races. Kingston is one of the few events which has a class for J13 and J12 rowers. Competitive rowing normally only starts at J14s.
Jamie said: “Kingston was where I had my first race, a year ago. We raced in a coxed four boat and having won our heat we were narrowly beaten in the final. I know the whole crew took it really badly, we were terribly disappointed.
“Kingston is a great event. It’s very well-organised and with its lawned river-side enclosure opposite the town centre it’s like a mini-Henley. There’s a great atmosphere.”
Not only does Kingston introduce young crews to racing, but the racing can also be extremely competitive. For many crews, it’s the last opportunity before the British Rowing National Junior Championships, which take place this weekend from Friday, July 15-17, at Nottingham Water Sports’ Centre.
Jamie had to row through four rounds to win his event. All three of his last opponents had come to Kingston expecting to win.
In the opening round, Jamie saw off a local Kingston rower, beating him by four-and-a-quarter lengths. In the quarter-finals, Jamie took on a strong boy from Molesey, one of the oldest and most successful boat clubs along the Thames.
There was another Molesey rower to face in the semi-finals. “The Molesey boy was not only very strong physically but was also technically very strong,” Jamie said. “He beat me away at the start, but it didn’t take me long to be able to power up and pass him. At this point he must have had quite a shock as I don’t think he had ever been challenged before. When he tried to re-apply his power, he overdid it and capsized.”
Jamie had little chance to rest before the final, against a competitor from Falcon Rowing Club in Oxford.
His opponent was quickly away but it wasn’t long before Jamie was alongside him and passing him. The race was at a strong pace throughout and when the Oxford rower tried to increase his speed to get back on terms, Jamie was ready for him and increased his own pace to maintain his advantage, crossing the line two-and-three-quarter lengths in front.
“I cannot tell you how delighted and relieved I was to win,” Jamie said. “The racing was so nerve-racking. I knew that if I was to have any chance at the National Juniors on Friday, I had to win this event.
“I still have it all to do in the Nationals. Many of the opposition in Nottingham will be public school boys and they are able to row six days a week, sometimes twice a day. That water experience will be their huge advantage.
“I will be rowing in the coxed fours and in a single scull boat. I really hope I’ll be able to show my best and do well.
“I’ve had an amazing first season in rowing and to be able to do well at the National Championships would put the icing on the cake.
“I’m really nervous – but I can’t wait for Friday to come.”