UWEBC member bring home two Golds for Wales in the Home Nations International Regatta 2012:

Congratulations to Charles Waite-Roberts, who represented Wales at the annual Home Nations International Regatta which was held this Saturday 21st July 2012 in Cardiff Bay.

Charles raced in a coxless four [4-] composite boat made up from students at Oxford Brookes, Durham University and UWE, which was assembled at trials held in Cardiff earlier this July. This crew was pitted against this year's Henley winning crew Nottingham Rowing Club, which represented England in the race. The race was closely contested for the whole length of the 2000m course, with Scotland, England and Wales setting the early pace. The power and technique of the Welsh boat told however, over the England and Scottish crews, and saw the Welsh boat through to an impressive win. Excited afterwards, Charles said: "It was such a good race!"

Charles doubled up in the eight [8+], having been selected in the 2 seat along with other top university athletes including GB U23 athletes from Harvard University and Imperial College. With a limited number of training sessions under their belt, the eight found they had to rely on their abilities to merge quickly and work hard. Charles explained: "The crew was putting some big puddles down". He continued, "I blew on cue every 250". Every bit of work he and his crew put in was important though, as there was a photo finish between the first two crews. The Welsh crew held their technique to the line, and came out on top by 6 inches from the Irish eight, which took Silver.

The two Golds from Charles' crews contributed to Wales winning the Senior Men's Team Cup at the regatta for the first time in its history. Charles already knows how he plans to spend the next few weeks after a long year of training and racing for UWE: "I'm just going to have time off over the summer, keep active, and hit it hard when training starts". Charles will use the experience gained from this year, when he starts the GB U23 trials process again, this Autumn. "It's going to be good next year I tell you!"