Oar-some KAS crews complete 21-mile river race
30th September 25
An early morning start and strong teamwork skills paid off for KAS Sixth Formers, as they triumphed over their King Alfred competitors on a 21.6-mile rowing race up the River Thames.
Three KAS crews rowed from Millwall to Richmond as part of last weekend’s Great River Race; they included the victorious student crew, as well as two additional crews made up of KAS staff and parents (pictured above).
They rowed the school’s three boats, Æthelflæd, Æthelgifu, and Ælfthryth – named after King Alfred’s daughters – alongside around 300 other boats as part of the annual event.
“It’s a great thing to do,” said Sixth Form student Jimmy B. “We had to be in school for 7:30 am, at which point I did wonder ‘why am I here!?’ But at home, I would just have been asleep in bed, so it was better to be doing something. It’s there to be done, after all!”
Jimmy was joined in his boat by two close friends, two younger students he got to know better through the event, and KAS teacher Julian. The team worked in sync, taking occasional snack breaks and rotating roles — from cox to oarsperson— to keep energy and morale high.
And their hard work paid off, with the student boat arriving in Richmond two minutes ahead of the teachers’ boat and five minutes ahead of the staff!
“I saw it an opportunity to do something different.”
The atmosphere on the water was a blend of focus and fun. “Half the participants were professional athletes, then in the other half you’ve got people dressed as parrots,” Jimmy laughed. But for him, it was more than just a race: “It’s quite meditative when you get into the swing of it.”
He added: “When else are you going to do something like this? I saw it as an opportunity to do something different.”
Well done to all who took part in the challenge for representing KAS so wonderfully. They proved that great things can be achieved with teamwork, spirit – and an early morning alarm!
Sailing at The King Alfred School is one of the activities regularly available as part of Choice, our Friday afternoon co-curricular programme. To express an interest in being part of the KAS crews for future Great River Races, email Chris.
