Guest Coach on the Water at Stretham 

We were delighted to have Claudia Goodbrand step in for Simon this week. Claudia is a highly experienced rower and coach, and it was fantastic to have someone of her calibre supporting the juniors while Simon recovers.

She slotted straight in, brought calm, clarity and great energy to the session, and it was a real bonus for the squad. We very much hope this won’t be a one-off and that Claudia might join us more regularly in the future.

A morning on the Great Ouse – by Claudia

What a glorious morning to be out on the water at Stretham. Days like this are a reminder of why rowing is such a special sport with calm water, space to move and the quiet focus that only comes from being on a river first thing in the morning.

Rowing on the Great Ouse really is a privilege. It’s incredibly close to Cambridge, yet once you’re out there it feels a world away. The long, straight stretch gives nearly five kilometres of uninterrupted rowing, completely traffic-free, which is ideal for both technical work and longer pieces.

From a coaching perspective, it’s a brilliant environment. The clear sightlines make it easy to watch crews properly, give feedback and really see progress session by session. For the athletes, it means consistent conditions, space to focus, and the chance to build confidence without distractions.

It was great to see the progress the Rob Roy juniors are making, with lots of good habits developing, plenty of enthusiasm, and a strong sense of commitment to getting better every time they’re on the water. Sessions like this show just how much potential there is when you combine motivated athletes with a fantastic training venue.

Thank you for a wonderful day, I thoroughly enjoyed the morning, and I hope to be back out on the Great Ouse again soon.