A new VIII boat arrived recently in the Boat House. After deliberation between Director of Rowing Mr David Currie, the governors and rowing coaches, the boat was named in honour of Shiplake’s inimitable Headmaster, Mr Gregg Davies. To celebrate such an occasion, a boat-naming ceremony was arranged as a surprise for the Headmaster.
Mr Currie was joined by all the rowing coaches and crews of varying ages for the boat-naming ceremony on Wednesday 22 March. The decision to name the boat for Headmaster Mr Davies had been decided without his knowledge, and so it was a total surprise for him as he walked down by the river that the ceremony was taking place! Mr Currie explained the significance of the boat-naming and the decision behind it:
‘It is traditional to name a boat to bring it good luck on high seas. Hopefully, we won’t actually experience any high seas whilst rowing on the Thames – although the forecast for the Schools' Head tomorrow (Thursday 23 March) doesn’t look too great! At Shiplake, we have a great tradition for naming boats after those who have had a significant input into the life of the Boat Club and the rowers. The boats will be in the Boat House and up and down the river for years and years to come, so it really is a big decision what to name them, and very meaningful. It is very fitting today that we are able to honour our current Headmaster in this way. Gregg Davies has been an avid supporter of rowing at Shiplake, certainly in my time, and beyond that. The sport is incredibly popular here and we are highly fortunate to have such fantastic equipment and location. Mr Davies has shaped Shiplake and made it the welcoming place that it is today, and I’m really honoured to name this boat for him.’ Mr Davies christened the boat with champagne, inviting good luck and safe travels.
Mr Davies commented: ‘this is such a surprise! It is not often that I feel this way, but right now I feel very humbled. I am so incredibly proud of this school and all of the pupils and staff members who make it.’ The boat set off for its maiden voyage as the ‘Gregg Davies’ for training following the ceremony, and the 1st VIII will be racing in it during tomorrow’s Schools’ Head of the River.