(Special thanks to Guy Hanscomb, for his significant contributions to this report)

Introduction

Just as a quick reminder – the objectives of the SRA are:

(a) To maintain the standard of sculling in skiff and kindred races.

(b) To promote the interests of skiff racing and kindred sports.

How we do this:

We are a volunteer forum formed by all clubs. We come together to discuss common topics and news from across our sport, and to support each other by sharing practices and ideas. Specifically, we look after the following:

SRA Handbook – minor updates and clarifications were made during 2025. The latest version can be found on our website.
Umpires – 3 people qualified to become SRA umpires. A further 2 people have passed their test, we hope they will be able to actively umpire this year as probationary umpires. Sadly, we had three existing umpires retire at the end of the season. The sport cannot function without umpires, so if anyone is interested in becoming one, please let us know.
Website – in 2024 the SRA website was revamped – we have continued to update and include more information during 2025; however, we would still really like to hear your feedback about it – does it have the information you would expect, if not, what is missing, did you find it easy to use – if not, can you let us know why?
Regatta calendar – collated and confirmed by SRA, then shared with clubs and published on the SRA website.
Other things that we do – SRA Trailer management and hire, anchors, co-ordination of the purchase of EA boat licences, events – SRA interclub races and SRA Marathons, awards – most improved sculler, Ormiston, Junior and Veteran pennants, The Ruth Knight Coxing Award.

2025 season report

The start of 2025 was hampered by river restrictions, which were lifted in early March, allowing club members to return to the river to train for the first event of the season in April. However, the weather deteriorated towards the end of the season, resulting in the October Skiff Racing Association (SRA) Singles Marathon being cancelled due to Storm Amy. The chart below provides an historical look at racing events since 2017:

Whilst we can see that we still have not returned to the high pre-COVID-19 numbers of 2019, there has been a slight uplift in the total number of entries in recent years. Interestingly, we saw an increase in processional race entries and a decrease in sprint races despite having to cancel one of the end-of-season SRA skiff marathons. See the appendix for more charts illustrating historical trends of entries by event.

A special mention to Wargrave Boat Club (WBC), who returned this season to participate in two regattas, bringing more competition to those events. We look forward to seeing more of WBC in the 2026 season.

The Teddington Reach and Skiff Championships regatta was held at Upper Thames Rowing Club, Remenham, for the third year running, offering good facilities, a great atmosphere for participants and spectators, and excellent views of the course. 2025 was the first season of the new location and course for Sunbury Amateur Regatta.

The annual Inter Club races were hosted by Skiff Club, and the event saw the return of three-lane racing for a second consecutive year. All four events were won by TVSC, with some very close and exciting racing.

SRA Awards

Ormiston Trophy – Winners DPSC, the final scores are given in the table below:

DSPC	SC	SSPC	TVSC	WBC	WSPC
83	20	18	54.5	5	17.5

Veterans’ Pennant – Winners DPSC, the final scores are given in the table below:

DSPC	SC	SSPC	TVSC	WBC	WSPC
13	4	0	6	0	7

The Most Improved Sculler Award nominations included Katrina Barton (TVSC), Elisa Attwood (SSPC) and the winner was Helen La Frenais of DSPC.
The Ruth Knight Coxing Award, introduced two years ago, recognises the many skills required of a cox. The nominations included John Fish (TVSC), Maia Grace (DSPC) and the winner was Eloise Lennon of SSPC

Obituary

Last year, we were sorry to lose Geoff Sims. Geoff was a stalwart at Sunbury Amateur Regatta and, of course, Sunbury Junior Regatta for over 50 years. He was also associated with Dittons, Valley & Wraysbury skiff clubs.

In January 2026, sad news came from Skiff Club of the death of David “Chalkie” Gramolt. David was a 10-time skiff champion, including the men’s doubles for six consecutive years from 1965 to 1970 with Chris Barrett. In 1970, as well as winning the men’s doubles, he won the men’s singles and coxed the winning mixed doubles crew, which included David’s long-time men’s doubles partner, Chris Barrett, together with Elaine Steckler (later Laverick). David won the men’s singles again in 1971 and has, for many years, continued to serve as an SRA umpire. (Credit David Biddulph https://www.biddulph.org.uk/memoriam.htm#DavidGramolt )

Appendix A