Norfolk Skiff Club: Carrow Cup 2018

Benfleet Rowers. Worthy winners

Once again crews from far and near met in Norwich for the Carrow Cup Race on 8th December. Blades Rowing of Dartmouth made the long journey from Devon to defend their winning position in 2018. Crews from Benfleet, Lower Thames, Blakeney, North Norfolk Gig Club and Norfolk Skiff Club were ready to row over the traditional course from Bishop Bridge in the heart of Norwich to Broadland Boat Club in Thorpe St Andrew.

North Norfolk Gig Club in Sowenna

Waiting for the start; it could be July.

Jo and Jake join Norfolk Skiff Club veteran Fran in Seraph

On the second Saturday in December every year, Norwich Rowing Club invites rowers in fine and traditional boats to race on the river Wensum, continuing a tradition, which started in the early years of the 19th century.

The (second) Carrow Cup Trophy, originally presented in 1813, is awarded to the fastest four oared boat. In 2013 The Norwich Society gave a new trophy for the fastest "traditional" boat on handicap and it was this fine silver bowl, The Bi-Centenary Trophy, which would be the prize.

The weather was blustery, but dry. Under supervision of the starters and marshals from Norwich Rowing Club, the crews were set off at intervals, because the course passes through bridges and narrow sections of river in the first few hundred metres.

Once past Carrow Bridge the faster crews were able to overtake the slower. Blades, who had started first reached the finish line without being overtaken. Benfleet in Rozinante
charged impressively through the fleet to finish first on corrected time.

The Warns family in Seraph put in a good time, gaining a place for Norfolk Skiff Club. This year Blades had to settle for second place.

Lower Thames approached the event in the right spirit, reserving enough energy to continue rowing past the finish line. They were booked in for a Christmas Dinner at The Ferry House in Surlingham.