On Saturday, 11 January 2025, 94 OKS (Old King’s Scholars), staff, parents, and pupils gathered to celebrate rowing at King’s during the annual Boat Club Dinner. The event followed a full day of rowing activities at the School’s boathouse. Despite the chilly weather and some icy patches, pupils and members of the Pilgrims Boat Club (OKS) enjoyed paddling at Westbere. Notably, some OKS took to the water in an Eight and a Double, rekindling old rowing camaraderie.
After a delicious main course, Luke Reiser, the new Head of Rowing, kicked off the speeches. He shared insights into his rowing career, expressed gratitude for the support he’s received since taking on the role in 2024, and acknowledged the efforts of the rowing coaches—Eilidh, Harry, Toby, and Ryan. Together, they presented numerous awards to pupils for their dedication and accomplishments during the 2024 rowing season.
Following this, pupils Elisabeth (6a) and Isak (6b) entertained attendees with a humorous speech reflecting on what makes a rower and recounting amusing stories from their time on the water.
The evening’s highlight was guest speaker Jacob Dawson, an Olympic and World Champion rower for Great Britain, who most recently won gold in the men’s eight at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Jacob shared his inspiring journey to Olympic glory, discussing personal setbacks, the importance of teamwork, and the bonds within a rowing crew. Elisabeth and Daniel conducted a lively interview with Jacob, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Pupils were thrilled to see and even wear Jacob’s Olympic gold medal, making the evening truly unforgettable.
As the night drew to a close, pupils returned to the main school for a social gathering, while OKS, parents, and staff enjoyed time to reconnect and forge new friendships. The evening was a resounding success, brimming with community spirit and pride, showcasing why rowing remains such a cherished sport at King’s.
