Otters Take on Reading Amateur Regatta – and Bring Home a Win!

Saturday 14 June marked the Otters’ debut at Reading Amateur Regatta — and what a first outing it was! Don’t be misled by the word amateur — RAR is a highly competitive fixture on the rowing calendar, and with Henley Royal Regatta just around the corner, many crews arrive fighting fit and hungry for results.

We fielded nine crews, each one bringing grit, determination, and great racing spirit to the water. Reading’s 1500m course, a two-lane sprint along the winding Thames, is known for its intensity — and our Otters rose to the challenge beautifully.

While this year was all about learning the lay of the land as we prepare a campaign for next season, our crews still delivered outstanding performances — several with results decided by just a length or two.

Highlights included:

  • Women’s Quad (Bordon): Stormed through their heat into the final, missing out on the top spot by just a few seconds.

  • Social Open Quad: Held the lead from the start, only losing out in the final strokes of a nail-biting race.

  • Women’s Double: Showed excellent technique and sharp steering, battling closely in their final.

  • Women’s Quad (Yarlett) – Winners! A huge congratulations to our victorious quad, who powered past Reading University to bring home a well-earned win! [Pictured]

We’re incredibly proud of every Otter who raced. These performances set us up brilliantly for what promises to be a strong campaign next year.

(L-R) Lauren Durkan, bow-steerer Sky Yarlett, Claudia Graham and Joanna Resiak steamed through to win 'easily'

London Otters RC