While our eights were focussing on the two major head races on our home waters, Tom Bishop travelled further afield to concentrate on his sculling skills. There were two head races in Amsterdam over the weekend with one for pairs/doubles, “Tweehead”, on Saturday 22nd March and for singles, “Skiffhead”, on Sunday 23rd March. Both are rowed on a 7.5 km course on the River Amstel. On Saturday Tom paired up with Rod Stewart of Upper Thames RC to form a Masters H double scull (age-wise they qualify as Masters I but that category was not offered). On Sunday Tom competed against Rod (and many others) in Masters I single sculls.
Tom travelled by Eurostar from St. Pancras to Amsterdam Central station and then by Metro to the course where the group from sevral UK clubs were hosted by the RIC rowing club, which Tom described as abeautiful and friendly club on the course with views up and down the River Amstel, complete with a bar and cafe run by the members. Meanwhile, the Newark trailer organised by Ashley Cowley bringing the group’s boats was slightly delayed, arriving on Friday evening, necessitating practice outings to be replaced by a little sight-seeing.
On Saturday racing started at 15.30 and Tom and Rod were successful in winning the Masters H doubles. On Sunday, starting at 13:00, Rod started No. 406 to Tom’s 407. Rod won the Masters I category well and Tom was 3rd some ¾ of a minute behind despite his time being over 2 minutes faster than in 2023. “Just one of those days when it all seemed hard work”. Tom was chased down the track by 408 and 409, from the H division (70 -75 years). Tom takes up the story, “409 sailed by in the first ⅓ of the race and 408 caught me up slowly. I threw everything into the last 1km and managed to pull away again with the times showing that in the end 408 beat me by 0.6 of a second (darn it). The stern of 409 was under my rigger as I crossed the line. So a tough day and it feels so much harder when you lose”.
The results for the Tweehead may be found at https://raceclocker.com/3f3451d2. Tom and Rod’s time was 31 min. 13.5 sec.
The results for the Skiffhead may be found at https://raceclocker.com/f3edc2ec. Tom’s time was 34 min. 15.5 sec.
Summary
One win and a near miss for Tom on two great days of racing. Flat water and sunshine with a small tailwind. Keep it in mind for 2026 as one to try. The Dutch are very welcoming.
