Cub Boating Day (JULY 2012)

By Finn Morgann-Murrell

On Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th July I went on my first boating weekend with 4^th Streatham Cubs. It was an amazing experience for me!

I went to the Boathouse in Putney and I loved it so much that I can’t wait to go again! I did lots of different activities on the Thames including kayaking, power boating, stand-up paddle boarding, and rowing in both gigs and coypus. 

The first day it was raining lots and the next day it was nice and sunny. However, the rain did not bother us because we still had fun. My favourite activity was kayaking and, to be honest with you, there was nothing I didn’t like.

On the stand-up paddle boarding I fell into the Thames and although it was cold, it was also fun!

Kingston Regatta (JULY 2012)

By Harry Joseph - (A.P.L. Falcons)

On Saturday 30th June - Sunday 1st July our scout group went to the National Sea Scout Pulling and Kayaking Regatta in Kingston, London.

We met at the hall and packed all our equipment and personal kit into the trailer and headed off to what we never knew was going to be our BEST amazing performance yet!! We drove straight to the competition and found a nice place to sit down and watch the races.


Me and my friends Lewis and Jack were called up to do the under 12½ double dinghy heat and we won by a mile!!! We were so happy but tired and unfortunately the under 12½ gig heat with; Me, Lewis, Ben, Jake and Jack coxing us was straight afterwards. We went to the start line and started the race but as me and Lewis had just had a race and we were on 1st stroke and 2nd stroke (the 2 stronger rowers) we didn't have as much power as we should of, we could have won if we had a rest break, but we lost (Thought it was a close race). Ben Also took part in the under 12½ Kayaking heats. He came won his race and went through to the semi's as well.

The under 14 double dinghy crew was Hugo, big Jake with Stefan coxing. They did amazing and won by a mile as well!! So far a good competition for the double dinghy crews. The under 14 gig with Josh J, Ewan, Hugo, big Jake with Eleanor coxing them. They all pulled their hardest and came through with a great win! The under 14 kayak was Josh J, who unfortunately didn't win but he got through in the gig so he could still win a trophy.

After an amazing first day we drove back to our camp and pitched up all our tents and put our personal kit in them. Then with some shoes and cones we made 2 football goals and had a very long game of football and we have no idea who won. While some people were playing football some other people started to build a fire which they made HUGE!!! Meanwhile some leaders were getting us some fish and chips or sausage in batter. After eating all that we carried on to play football while Eleanor briefly died by the camp fire and we had to gather round in a circle round her while small Josh did his voodoo dance and raised her from the dead!! After a very tiring night we all went to bed and had a good nights sleep to get ready for the races the next day.

Sunday:

We woke up bright and way too early for another amazing day of rowing. The under 12½ double dinghy semi final was a breeze and yet again we won by a mile and got into the final!!!

The under 14 gig semi final was a great race and they won again and knocked Leander out of the gig section. The under 14 double dinghy semi final was another amazing win and they also made it to the final. So far 3 wins 3 finals!

The under 16 singles was Freddie and won his heat by a mile and made it through. Then in the under 16 single semi final got a great win and made it to the final, leaving the other boat far far behind again.

The under 16 gig with Freddie, Nathan, Liam, Jaz with Ben coxing but unfortunately they lost their race, but they did really well, and it was neck and neck all the way, Jaz who was 11 years old and rowing Bow Oar in their boat, did amazingly well too, to keep up with the big boys.

The under 18 single was big Josh S, who won his heat and got through to the semis! The under 18 gig with Josh S, Mitch, Xander and Ash with Johnny coxing and they won and got through to the semi final!

The under 12½ double dinghy were racing in the final but came 2nd because our boat got sabotaged and my oar came out twice, if it hadn't come out we would of won! But Mowgli and Sparks said we had perfect pulling all the way, and were very proud of us!

The under 14 double dinghy final was an amazing race and we won but the umpires said that leander won but thats a lie we won and we appealed but it didn't work and we were placed 2nd, even though everyones knows that we actually won. The under 14 gig final was another amazing race and beat them by a boats length and got the trophy!

The under 18 single unfortunately lost the semi final and didn't get through. The under 18 gig also lost their semi final race as well and unfortunately didn't get through either.

So at the end of the weekend we had three second places and one first place. It was our best ever performance ever and we got a trophy and lots of runner up certificates!!!!!

Sparks and Mowgli are so proud of all the 4th Streatham crews that took part in the races over the weekend, and look forward to next year.

Queen Diamond Jubilee Pageant (JUNE 2012)

By Jack Sharp ("Sona")

Senior Patrol Leader & Young Leader.

The Thames River Pageant for the Queens Diamond Jubilee, the first in 300 years. Organised chaos is the term I think would best describe the River pageant in all its glory, having stayed over in the boat house the day previously one might expect the baggy eyes, yawns and general bad tempers usually indicative of a night’s camp. Not so, for come morning, the 4^th were raring to go with two Home Counties Gigs, bedecked with purple bunting to get on the water.

A pity then perhaps that the larger part of the morning was spent waiting for the elusive boat inspectors to arrive. The scene at the slipway though was enthralling, boats everywhere of all different shapes and sizes, gigs, dragon boats you name it and it was probably there. It was at this point that we split up with the other scout group, Netley, who had been staying with us for the night and perused the mystery man who was meant to be inspecting our boat. Eventually finding him and then having been given the all clear we found out that we couldn’t put boats on the water for another 2 hours!

Bored to tears waiting around, a satisfying pastime came out of the blue. Television reporters seemed more than happy to give a few of us a quick interview Lights, camera, action everybody, fame and stardom awaits. Or not, for some reason the only thing the reporters were interested in was the frankly terrible fashion disaster of several people wearing 3-D glasses (mentioning no names of course!) not exactly our passport to fame but good fun all the same!

Then, after a long and drawn out 2 (3 and a half) hours we finally launched onto the water, and became a part of the pageant, of course not, no, in actual fact we had to row another two miles just to get to the start point! Minor exhaustion setting in before even reaching the start point hadn’t been planned but all the same, the atmosphere was amazing even before the start, the bridges were lined with people waving and cheering, if you wanted motivation there was no shortage in supply.

 Of course this wouldn’t be the start point. No apparently there was a muster point and a start point. Thoroughly confused, brain food (sandwiches, crisps, chocolate etc.) was handed out. Still none the clearer from our meal we were eventually told to move on to the start point, talk about hidden charges!   Having reached the start point and watching in awe at the magnificent sight of the royal boats, Gloriana and the spirit of Chartwell, the puckish gods of weather saw fit to attempt to dampen the occasion, quite literally. The skies opened and the rain fell like the angry, childish chorus of MPs debating which their favourite brand of beer was. As if to add to the din, the orient express turned up and spent quite some time it seemed trying to get into the perfect position for the cameras, before finally sounding its horn and setting the pageant underway.

Nothing however was going to dampen the spirit of the 4^th! Oh no our two teams of plucky rowers kept on valiantly pulling. A rhythm was found and we started to pull on. I must say enjoying ourselves greatly at the onslaught of cheers kept the pace going. Soon enough we were hopeful and got up to the point at which the spirit of Chartwell was moored tossing oars respectfully as we went past, we even had a little conversation with prince Charles who apparently could think of nothing better to ask us, the shivering blue lipped crew if it was “a little chilly” “errrrrrrrm yes?” in the grand scheme of royal lines Kate managed to trump him with a simple "hello", and William even wished us luck for the rest of the day it really makes you feel good to know that people can be polite!

Although eventually the boats had to be taken into tow due to some frankly awful mathematical calculations somewhere (yes, funnily enough if you have boats going at 4 knots they are going to be overtaken by boats going at 8 knots) and the freezing cold starting to set in towards the end. The day in general was enjoyed by all with plenty of support from everyone it was a great feeling everyone wants you to succeed.

As the final boats passed under Tower Bridge they let off fireworks from the top, which we missed as we were at the front of the flotilla but never the less would have been amazing to see! There was also lots of talk about the Jubilee Bells, which were afloat, to which we never saw or heard, due to the same reason of being at the front. Gee, we rowers just got all the best bits of this one!

By the end, a cold and rather bedraggled 4^th set of back to Streatham with the spoils of the day that were; jubilance and the need for a hot cup of tea. 

 It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great experience. Everyone who saw us said it was magnificent and I know it’s not something I’ll forget in a hurry.

The two crews for the pageant were:

"Thames Scout":
· Derek M (Sparks), - cox,
· Roy M. (Flags),
· Freddie K (Baloo),
· Nathan N (Rann),
· Jack S (Sona),
· Ewan B (Ko),
· Hugo C,
· Joshua J,
· Johnny P,
· Jake R.

"Marie Louise":
· Narden M, (Mowgli) - cox,
· Barbara P (Akela),
· Alex B (Trick),
· Jordan T (Sub),
· Huw F (Jaunty),
· Frankie P (Mysa),
· Alexander S-K.