We were thrilled to welcome Claire Carter from Radio Bristol to our club recently, giving her an inside look at the diverse and vibrant world of rowing at Avon County. Claire’s visit resulted in a captivating one-hour feature that aired on her afternoon show on October 2nd, showcasing the breadth of experiences our club offers.
While with us, Claire had the opportunity to interview a wide range of rowers, from complete novices taking their very first strokes on the water to our most experienced members. A standout interview was with Andrew Barton, an incredible 81-year-old club member who joined Avon County back in 1966. Andrew regaled Claire with fascinating stories from his rowing career which started in the coxing seat in the 1950s when he was just 13 and included memories of surviving a race in the snow on the Tideway in 1972!
Another highlight was an interview with Finnola Stratton, a shining example of Avon County’s nurturing environment. Finn, who learned to row with us, recently won a bronze medal racing for GB in the Under 23 Rowing World Championships in Canada. She spoke about her journey, from the initial challenges of learning to row and coordinating with crew members, to breaking a British record on the rowing machine at just 12 years old!
Finn credited the support she received from her coach at Avon, Penny Senior, and her current coaches at Reading University for her success. She also gave insights into her rigorous training regime, describing how she uses an Excel spreadsheet to manage every hour of her day – from waking at 5am to going to bed at 8pm – balancing university life (where she’s on track for a first), rowing training, and social commitments.
Claire’s interviews captured the essence of what makes Avon County special – the mix of ages, backgrounds and skill levels all united by a shared love of rowing. From the excitement of beginners discovering the sport to the enduring passion of long-time members like Andrew, and the inspiring success of Finn, the piece beautifully illustrated how rowing can be a lifelong pursuit that brings joy, camaraderie, and even world-class achievement.
You can listen to Claire’s full feature here – Link to Bristol Radio Feature
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Claire and Radio Bristol for shining a spotlight on Avon County Rowing Club. And to all our members who participated – your stories and passion are what make our club truly special.
Interested in following in Claire’s footsteps or inspired by Finn’s journey? Get in touch with us today – captain@avoncountyrowingclub.org.uk