Instream 1 is launched
On Tuesday 13th September, a new boat, Instream 1 was formally launched on the Eleven Acre Lake at Stowe School by the Headmaster, Dr Wallersteiner.
The boat has been donated to the school by Celaton, an IT company that specialises in the delivery of inbound information systems. The boat itself is named after one of the software delivery packages that Celaton offer.
At first the inclement and autumnal weather threatened to disrupt proceedings, and there were several times the crews and spectators had to make sudden dashes for the shelter of the Stowe Boathouse. However, at around 5.00pm, a single beam of sunshine broke through the clouds and poignantly fell upon the upturned hull of Instream 1.
The proceedings were initiated by Mr Jonathan Peverley, Head of Rowing at Stowe, who welcomed the gathering to the launch of the boat. This was swiftly followed by a short speech by Dr Wallersteiner, who christened the boat with a bottle of sparkling wine. He spoke of the pride that he felt watching the young Stoics develop into athletes and the emotion of watching James Rudkin* competing in the Fawley Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
The first outing of the boat was made by Fred Desmond (Grenville) and George Anderson (Chatham) who both proved that the new boat was as sleek and as elegant in the water as it had also appeared on its trestles.
The launch was concluded with a small drinks reception where several Stoics had the opportunity to share their views on rowing with the Headmaster and with Mr Anderson, CEO of Celaton, and father of George Anderson.
Mr Peverley wishes to once again thank Celaton for the donation of the boat to Stowe School and we are very much looking forward to Instream 1 being used in several upcoming regattas, the first of which should be on Sunday 9th October when the squad are due to race at Bedford Autumn Small Boats Head.
To view photographs of the event, please click on the link below.
J Peverley (Head of Rowing)
*James Rudkin is now part of the Great Britain Junior Squad and has recently returned from winning two gold medals at the European Junior Championships.