On Sunday 400 crews came to Abingdon to row the 2000 meters from Culham Lock to Wilsham Road as part of the 2012 Spring Head of the River time-trial.
The Abingdon Rowing Club don’t get to row as they are all busy officiating.
It is an early season event but in this picture it looks like a race away from Didcot A before the smouldering giant finally blows.
These guys made it to the finishing line.
After their race, our Abingdon stewards asked boats to keep moving. There is no real time for a post mortem. “I’m so sorry, I just lost it totally near the end. ”
The 400 crews, 100 in each of 4 times slots, row back to the landing stages in Rye Farm Meadow.
Carry their own boat back to the trailer.
Only then is there the chance to put their feet up.
Happy days! Abingdon Head is very popular with rowers as about half the length of many due to the wier and the lock, so a bit of a sprint compared to the marathons run in other parts of the country.