Autumn Head 2010 - Thank you

Hi everyone,

I have written a letter of thanks to everyone who helped organise and run the very successful Autumn Head last Saturday.

I would like to thank as well all those that rowed in the race. I thought that the weather would be on the difficult side of Autumnal but in the end it was a dry and sunny day.

I have included below the open letter to the volunteers and officials that ensured the 'day went well'. I have also emailed it to those involved and will pin a hard copy to the notice board.

Thanks

Ben

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Dart Totnes ARC

Steamer Quay

Totnes

Devon

5th November 2010

To Volunteers

Autumn Head 2010

Dart Totnes ARC

Dear Club Members and helpers

Autumn Head 2010

I would like to say that last Saturday’s Autumn Head was a great success. There were in the region of 200 crews racing in three Divisions on the day. The superb management of safety checks, boating, launching & recovery and all aspects of umpiring and record keeping combined to make this years Head race a most enjoyable if not an exhausting one.

This year the Training Camp that had been running at the Club the week prior to the Race, entered 42 rowers, swelling the numbers. The inclusion of crews from Clubs represented by London Youth Rowing added a new element of competitiveness. The standard of rowing was indeed very high.

There was one capsize in Division 3, which was quickly and effectively dealt with. The location was in that awkward spot that everyone dreads, near to the finish! No one was hurt and passing boats managed to complete the race with the minimum of disruption.

The corralling of finishing boats was admirably undertaken allowing for timely extraction from the river. Traffic congestion outside the boathouse and car park areas was kept to a minimum.

Those of you that volunteered during various times during the day did a fantastic job and I would like to thank you all on behalf of the Committee and especially me. What is a daunting job was made a great deal easier by your help and enthusiasm.

I would like to say a special thank you to Lee and her team of kitchen helpers, who kept the several hundred rowers and their entourage feed and watered during the day. That in itself in no mean feat. Well done.

Also I would like to thank Rory for his hard work in preparing the Clubhouse for the Autumn Head. On top of that, Rory raced in Division 1 and then opened the bar for the remainder of the day!

I would like to end by thanking the Autumn Head organisers, Simon and Pete. The value of a video recorded finish has convinced me that this is now a must even if it means checking and double checking the footage!

A full debrief of the event is planned and will be reported on at the next Committee meeting.

To all the volunteers, thank you.

Ben Larcombe

Ben Larcombe

Club Captain