“In summer 2006 I had the privilege of competing in the Commonwealth Rowing Championships, coxing the England women’s eight. As selection was done on the basis of recent coxing results, rather than trials, I concentrated on attending (and winning!) as many regattas as possible after the boatrace. I continued coxing for CUW, at BUSA (where we won bronze) and Henley Royal Regatta (where we were only one of four crews to qualify for the Remenham Cup), and also began coxing for Furnivall Sculling Club, winning Senior 2 eights and coxed fours at the Met and also senior women’s eights at the National Championships. Despite the time (and cost!) involved in coxing two high-level women’s crews, the hard work paid off and I was selected for the Commonwealths in July. Training for the race took place on the Tideway and the eight, comprised of four rowers from Furnivall (who were also selected as the England 4-) and four from Thames, quickly showed promising signs of speed. On race day we carried out our race plan and dominated the race, winning very comfortably over Wales and a composite from Australia and Canada. Overall the experience was very useful (and fun!), and I hope that it will form the first step in an international coxing career.”
Crew:
Sarah Rowe, Lucy Smith, Anna Caffyn, Kim Clitter, Claire Bulmer, Briony Cavell, Mary Buxton, Anna Brown with cox Rebecca Dowbiggin
Rebecca Dowbiggin