The Abingdon Rowing Club chose the warmest day of the year for the annual Spring Head of the River time trials. Boats were put into the River Thames at the landing stages alongside Rye Farm Meadows.

Lots of people were there to enjoy the spectacle and the sunshine.

The rowers then rowed under Abingdon Bridge, and beside St helen’s Church, to the start at Culham Reach, passing the finish along the way.

There was rowing throughout the day as rowers were divided into four divisions. So at most times there were rowers either rowing to the start, or racing to the finish.

They started in the wilds of Culham.

They passed the woody area of the Marina Park.

Then came into the blue stretch alongside Abingdon Rowing Club.

Back at Rye Farm Meadow there were refreshment tents serving burgers and hot dogs.

Then another batch of 80 boats set off for the start.

An excellent job was done by the stewards keeping order, and allowing other motor boats to come through during the gaps between racing.