Following a fantastic end to the school rowing season, Shiplake’s rowers – both current pupils and Old Vikings – have continued to make headlines over the summer with impressive performances at top-level international events. Highlights include success at the Home International Rowing Regatta, the World Rowing U23 Championships, the World Rowing U19 Championships, the Coupe de la Jeunesse, and the FISU World University Games.
Home International Rowing Regatta
The Home International Regatta saw England retain all four trophies – Junior Women’s, Junior Men’s, Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s – for the fourth consecutive year. Shiplake College was well represented with current pupils and alumni competing for both England and Wales.
- Katie Proudlove (Year 13) – Representing England, Katie won silver in the Single Sculls ‘B’ race, followed by another silver in the JW4x- event, and capped off the day with gold in the J4x- 500m sprint.
- Ben Loggie (Year 12) – Coxing for England, Ben won gold in both the JM4+ and JM8+ events.
- Tomos Weighell (Year 13) – Rowing for Wales, Tomos earned silver in the JM8+ 500m sprint and bronze in the JM8+ race.
Two former Shiplake pupils also featured:
- Emily Downing (24S) – Rowing for Wales, Emily claimed gold in both the W8+ and W8+ 500m sprint.
- Oliver Joiner (24W) – Representing England, Oliver took silver in the M4+ and gold in the M8+.
Coupe de la Jeunesse
This prestigious event brings together the best junior rowers from across Europe and offers many athletes their first taste of international competition. Representing Great Britain were:
- Charlotte Hodgkinson (Year 13) – As cox of the JW8+, Charlotte led her crew to gold medals in both ‘A’ Finals.
- Rupert Evans (Year 12) – Rowing in the JM4-, Rupert also enjoyed double success, with his crew winning gold in both ‘A’ Finals.
World Rowing U19 Championships
Shiplake College has continued to see international success in rowing this summer as following on from Team GB and England’s respective success at the Coup de la Jeunesse and Home International Regatta. Last weekend, all eyes turned to the U19 World Rowing Championships that took place in Trakai, Lithuania. Last year, Shiplake had three pupils competing and in 2025, the College was delighted to once again have Team GB representation with FOUR pupils racing.
Competing in the Junior Men's Eight, Luca Hunt-Davis and his crew easily retained their U19 World Champion title. The crew, all making their U19 World debuts, led from the start and maintained their composure throughout the race to cross the line ahead of Czechia and Germany.
Edward Galer and Isaac Dean were also in action, rowing for Team GB's Junior Men's 4-. The crew were quick off the start and took the lead at halfway to win the World Championship gold by clear water - winning by almost four seconds. Speaking to Team GB after the race, Ed said: “It feels good. We went out with confidence. We knew we had the speed and put ourselves in a good position to take the win.”
On the women's side, we saw Amelia Westbrook rowing in the Junior Women's Four (JW 4-). The race was another close battle, and the crew held on to bring home a fantastic silver medal. Our Assistant Director of Rowing, Mr Dan Safdari, was also present at the Championships, coaching the Junior Women's Eight that went on to become Women’s eight U19 World Champions.
World Rowing U23 Championships
At the U23 Worlds, two former Shiplake rowers represented different nations in one of the most competitive events of the international calenda
- Jess Weir (23B) – A member of GB’s BW8+ crew, Jess helped her boat claim gold, successfully defending the U23 title with a commanding performance.
- Seric Critchley (23B) – Rowing for Switzerland in the Men’s Pair, Seric made history by securing the country’s first U23 Openweight Sweep medal – a bronze, narrowly beating the GB crew by just 0.08 seconds.
FISU World University Games
- Ben Brockway (20W) – Representing Great Britain in the Men’s Eight, Ben’s crew delivered a powerful performance to take gold, edging out Poland and the Netherlands in a closely contested race.
