Dalesmens’ boat comes in as the Wharfe is conquered

Ilkley’s senior players, having had a few weeks respite from the rigours of their promotion season, got into their row boats and rowed the length of the river Wharfe. With so little rain in recent weeks the river was not navigable so the answer was a number of rowing machines in the clubhouse which were manned by a series of players until the full length of river had been successfully completed. The advantage of the venue was that refreshment was on hand for the weary rowers as their particular shift ended. Each participant was generously sponsored and a handsome figure in excess of £2500 was raised for the development fund. This is great effort by those who players who participated given the rigours of the recent months. Skipper Iain McKenzie was at the helm and masterminded the event. Edward Whiteley, now exiled away from rugby and in serious rowing training with his eyes firmly on the 2012 Olympics, kindly gave his experience to the event. One spectator commented that he seemed to be doing half as much as the less experienced rowers but travelling twice as far!

The fundraising efforts have now spanned the whole club from under 7’s to senior players and that target of £800,000 is drawing closer and closer.

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