Shoulders of Giants

In 1675 Sir Isaac Newton commented ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants’. 

Today the 2018 Seville Rowing squad went on a bike tour of Seville.  This was a great way to explore one of the worlds most amazing cities.  Seville is a place where cultures and history from Europe, the Americas and Africa come together to create a truly unique city.  

We peddled past, and through the Plaza de España, Botanical Gardens, Golden Tower, Cathedral de Santa María de la Sede and Europe’s oldest Tobacco factory (now home to the University of Seville).  However, it was at Palacio de San Telmo (the city’s old school of navigation) that inspiration for this post was found. 

The building itself is a great example of Sevillian baroque architecture and on the facade of the grand entrance sits the bust of Sir Isaac Newton.  

It is here that I was reminded of the famous quote from Sir Isaac Newton mentioned above.  Although he was referring to furthering scientific discovery, the sentiment can directly relate to the organisation and running of a rowing camp.

The camp that our students are in the middle of enjoying, is a culmination of hundreds of hours work from many people.  There are the coaches that give up their time to tow boats the 1400 miles from Ely to Seville (and back), to the staff that give up their own time to come and coach our students in the art of rowing.  In truth there and many giants that make this week possible.  

Other contributors include the coaches that we have left behind (don’t worry there still alive), that turned up to help de-rig all the boats and load the trailer in Ely, without whom Myself and Mr Dale would have never made our 02:30 departure from Ely on Day 1.  Then there are our better halves that are back in old Blighty ‘keeping the home fires burning’ (or the kids washed, fed and entertained).  Rosie Evans, Liz Knibb and Alison Cree are just some of the back room Ely staff that contribute to the administration and paperwork side of the camp.  We have our man on the ground in Seville, Jon Carrazo (ESP National Team Mens 4- at the 2017 World Championships) who has been my go to guy for communications with accommodation, river management, launch and tour operators.    These plus many more have been vital in getting this camp off the ground and providing a platform through which your child can develop and enhance their rowing ability and pick up some cultural experiences along the way.  

It is no small feet, but when we look back in a few weeks we will know it has all been a worthy one.

So with that in mind, I would like to leave you with this thought:  ‘If your child has rowed further, it is by standing on the shoulders of the King’s Ely Boat Club Giants”

Thanks Giants, you know who you are!