Page 185 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

Over the last 12 months, as with most sports, rowing, and in particular on the water (OTW) Rowing for both the RAPTC and the Army has continued to take a real hit due to the
pandemic. More frustratingly, the significant development and momentum we as a Corps have gained over the last 3-4 years has halted. There is a shimmering light though, as the restrictions have lifted rowers can now get back out on the water and the long awaited ‘Learn to Row’ courses can take place. This will hopefully reinvigorate RAPTC rowing on the water with future aspirations of entering a team into the annual Joint Service Regatta.
However, Indoor Rowing has again been an exception to this, due to the nature of the sport there has been a mixture of physical and virtual events taking place. 3 x RAPTCIs continuing to lead from the front by representing the Army Indoor Rowing Team (AIRT) at National and International Indoor Rowing Championships, with our very own SSgt Charlton being selected to be the AIRT Men’s Captain.
Army Indoor Rowing League (AIRL) 2021-22. Indoor rowing and the AIRL has continued to improve and be instrumental over the last 12 months, playing a significant role in terms of physical fitness, well-being, and competition. The AIRL continues to grow in popularity and has seen a significant number of registrations for the 2021-22 season. There were a total of 23 RAPTC personnel that took part in this year’s AIRL, competing across all the various weight and gender categories.
Army Indoor Rowing Individual Championships (AIRIC) 2021.
The AIRIC 2021 was organised by SSgt Charlton and took a different approach than previous competitions. This year’s competition adopted a hybrid approach to allow participants to compete in their region in person, remotely or virtually. It took place in various locations across the British Isles and Cyprus, which encouraged maximum participation for all those who wished to compete. This year’s competition saw competitors race each other in different categories over a distance of 2000m. A total of 7 x RAPTC personnel competed across all the various weight and gender categories and the standout performances were: Capt Haniver (Female Masters B), Sgt Crosbie (Male Heavy Weight Open) and Sgt Coussens (Male Light Weight A), all taking 1st Place.
Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships (WIRC) 2021. This year’s WIRC was one of the first physical competitions to take place for 2 years since the pandemic began and it was great to see 3 x RAPTCIs (SSgt Morrow, SSgt Charlton, and Sgt Coussens) selected to represent the AIRT. Although this was one of the first physical national events to return, the standard of rowing was still very much on show, and it did not disappoint. Our rowers achieved
Sgt Coussens taking 1st place in the lightweight Men’s 30+ 2000m race at the WIRC
some great results with Sgt Coussens achieving 1st place in the Lightweight Men’s 30+ 2000m, SSgt Charlton and the Army Male Team Relay placing 1st and Sgt Coussens and the Army Mixed Team Relay Placing 2nd.
British Rowing Indoor Championships (BRIC) 2021. 3 x RAPTCIs (SSgt Morrow, SSgt Charlton, and Sgt Coussens) represented the AIRT in this year’s virtual BRIC, which saw some of the best indoor rowers competing, not just from Great Britain, but from around the world. The standard of rowing on show was outstanding yet again and our rowers faced some tough opposition. They contested in all the races and distances over the day including 2000m, 500m and team relay events, in which Sgt Coussens represented the Army Relay Men’s Team and placed 2nd.
World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRIC) 2022. The WRIC is the pinnacle event for indoor rowing and this year adopted a hybrid approach, allowing participants the option to compete physically in Hamburg, Germany or virtually from around the world and the comforts of their own home. Our 3 x RAPTCIs (SSgt Morrow, SSgt Charlton, and Sgt Coussens) represented the AIRT over the 2-days in 2000m, 500m and team relay events against some of the greatest indoor rowers from across the globe.
RAPTC Rowing Development. RAPTC Rowing is growing in depth with more and more RAPTC personnel completing the Indoor Rowing Master Trainer award. This UK Armed Forces award enables unit level coaching to take place. Equally, yet arguably more impressive, we have had several RAPTCIs complete the British Rowing Level 2 coaching award enabling the Army Rowing Club to maintain output that is safe and assured by the NGB.
Farewells. Over the last 12 months we have said goodbye to one of the initial powerhouses of RAPTC Rowing, SSgt Brett Steels. During his tenure, rowing both OTW and indoor, he has achieved phenomenal success at Army, national and international events and been present on all OSVs and sports tours to date. SSgt Brett Steels will be truly missed, but we wish him all the best for the future.
Future Plans. This year the focus is on further development of the Indoor Rowing scene with the aspiration to break a team 100,000m record at the re-union. We have an OSV to look forward to and locations are being explored in southern Europe. But more importantly, the reinstatement of the Army’s Learn to Row courses. These courses are great for initial exposure to OTW rowing, developing technique and future representation.
RAPTC ROWING CLUB
SSgt (SSI) P Welch RAPTC
183
SSgt Charlton taking part in the BRIC Virtual 2000m Race