George Thomson ex Lifeguard
Scullers HOR 2006
On Saturday 28th October this year the River Clyde Scullers Head of the River celebrates its 40th Year. This Race is rowed annually from above Dalmarnock Road Bridge to Nelsons Column in Glasgow Green a distance of 2 1/2 miles or 4000metres.
The numbers of entrants have risen greatly since 1967 due mainly to the increase in the number of sculling boats available both in Clubs and in private ownership. Sculling boats have improved greatly since the days of wooden boats with clogs and double action slides unadjustable rigger span and wooden blades. Nowadays the extremely light boats are made of carbon Fibre with gull wing riggers and cleaver blades
Safety wise (which is always in the mind of the Glasgow Humane Society) the boats now have built in buoyancy, quick release heel straps and bow balls. Some “gates” are now made that the oars cannot “pop out”.
Boats now come in all shapes and colours and being able to see 50-60craft blades and vests of all different colours following overtaking or being overtaken in the processional race Saturday the 28th should be an excellent day spectators.
The scullers Head as it is known to the competitors, is special to the Glasgow Humane Society and added interest to the Officers and Lifeguards in safety attendance will be whether or not the 40year old record for the course can be broken.
The record was set in 1967 by a young sculler called George Parsonage, yes none other than the present senior lifeboat officer.
George recorded a time of 13minutes 40 seconds over the course.
Many have tried to beat this time. Scottish, British and World Champion scullers have tried. Scullers from Norway, the Czech Republic, Australia, and some very good home grown scullers.
Will this be the year? George certainly hopes so. He thinks that the record has stood for too long and it is time to move forward and faster.
It will be a hard record to take. George was in his day extremely fast (winning over 700 races) being one of the first Scots to race at Henley, Copenhagen, the Bosbaan Amsterdam, Ratzeburg and with the Clyde being his home water, he knew every inch of it.
Why not come along and see this 40th event, enjoy the excitement of the chase and the excellent tea room that will be in the Clydesdale Clubhouse.
George Thomson ex Lifeguard