Bell Boating

Great Marlow School were invited to participate in an inclusive bell boating session, organised by a charity named the Rivertime Boat Trust. The trust offer children with a wide range of abilities the chance to try water-based sports or activities they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do, and to take part in competitive events in a fun, safe and controlled environment. The event took place in the beautiful riverside grounds of Moulsford Boys’ Prep School, near Wallingford.

The sun shined throughout the morning, and the students made the most of the opportunity to be on the water in the stunning surroundings. After arriving, the keen participants were equipped with buoyancy aids and paddles. They were shown how to hold and use a paddle efficiently and how to secure their buoyancy aids in place. Once fully briefed, and safe to start the activity, the students carefully boarded the bell boats.

The paddlers quickly developed capability and competence on the water. Following their instructors advice, they soon mastered the skills and techniques required to work as a team and move swiftly through the water. To finish the session, the two bell boats, each carrying ten paddlers, were deemed ready to challenge each other to a race. The starting horn sounded, and the tranquility of the river Thames was transformed into a cacophony of shrieking and shouting, accompanied by frenzied splashing and outraged ducks. It seemed that all techniques and skills learnt throughout the morning were forgotten, as the students’ competitive streaks took over. It was a close race, and both first place and second place competitors were exhausted, happy and soaking wet when the finishing horn sounded and their bell boating activity was over.

The bell boating session was a fantastic event for our GMS students to take part in. The instructors ensured that students of varying abilities had the chance to try something new. The GMS participants showed enthusiasm and great teamwork throughout the morning, facing challenges with confidence and independence.

Miss H Murray