JoG at the British Rowing Indoor Championships

Last weekend, three Lancaster John O’Gaunt members travelled to the NEC in Birmingham to represent the club at the British Indoor Rowing Championships (BRIC). With a 6am departure from the Park & Ride, it was a long day — but an incredibly rewarding one.

Lee Sets the Tone for the Day

First to race was Lee Watson, taking on the 2K in one of his first major indoor events. Lee produced a strong 7:43.4, just shy of his personal best. For a member of the Development Squad to step straight into a national arena is fantastic, and his commitment and attitude really set the tone for the day. There’s no doubt faster times are on the horizon.

John Breaks the Seven-Minute Mark

Next up was John Bowskill, who has been training with real purpose in recent months — often fitting in six erg sessions a week around work. His consistency paid off as he delivered a superb 6:56, breaking the seven-minute barrier. A brilliant milestone and very well earned.

Martin Battles Through a Tough Build-Up

Last to race was Martin Casson-Grave, whose start was delayed by over an hour due to a medical emergency earlier in the programme. With his warm-up extended far beyond what anyone would want, Lee and John kept him fuelled and focused. Martin finished in 7:17 — not quite what he’d hoped for, but a great effort in difficult circumstances and strong motivation for next year.

A Well-Run Event and Great Experience

BRIC was once again extremely well organised, with plenty of space for warming up and stretching before heading into the main arena. The atmosphere was energetic throughout, helped by several other national competitions taking place at the same time, including the British Weightlifting Championships. The trade stands were popular too, with a few freebies collected along the way.

Anyone thinking of competing next year should note: it was warm inside the arena, so plan your layers accordingly!

Former JOG Rower Takes Gold

A lovely surprise during the day was seeing former JOG member Barbara Maher racing — and winning. Barbara took gold in the Women’s 60–65 2K in 8:25, followed by silver in the 500m. Huge congratulations to her on an outstanding performance.

Looking Ahead

All three JOG competitors came away proud of their performances and inspired for next season. BRIC is a fantastic event, and we hope to see an even larger JOG entry in 2025.