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Friday 10 February 2023

Amateurs?


A recent walk took me past the clubhouse of the Bradford Amateur Rowing Club (BARC) on the River Aire near Hirst Weir. The thriving club has a long history, founded in 1867. The clubhouse was built on land donated by Sir Titus Salt, who was, of course, very keen to see people engaging in 'healthy' pursuits.  It was the weekend and so there were boats out on the river. The club apparently has an active Junior section and a number of youngsters were being shown the ropes (or oars, at any rate). It sounded like it may have been their first time on the water. (I've blanked their faces, as they are children.) There were a number of parents standing, somewhat anxiously, around. 'Rowing mums' as opposed to 'soccer mums' but it still involves hanging around in the cold! (Or maybe they'd retreat to the clubhouse bar, who knows?) 

It was the bundle of oars dropped casually on the concrete apron that first attracted me to get my camera out. 

4 comments:

  1. It always looks too much like hard work to me! Very popular sport around Cambridge, of course, both town and gown being involved.

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  2. So each person has two oars...the way it looks to me. How in the dickens can they keep them synchronized? They must have practiced back in the boat shed, or someplace. It looks good from here!

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  3. It is always beautiful to watch.

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  4. It'll be a long while before we see anyone on the water here.

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