For the third year running, Kuwait Pilot Gig is competing in the 34km long Thames River marathon which is The Great River Race, to be held this year on Saturday, September 14. For the second time, this local sports club will be raising the flag of Kuwait over two boats.
The Great River Race was established in 1988 when just 61 teams chose twenty boat types to take on the challenge. The annual event has now grown into a must-see rowing fixture with over 330 boats. Teams travel from as far away as Australia to experience this uniquely rigorous and enjoyable race along the Thames River.
In 2017 Kuwait Pilot Gig made history by being the first crew from Kuwait or the region to join The Great River Race. In 2018 they made waves again by having the first Arab woman to ever captain a boat in the race. This year Mona Alrashed will proudly be at the helm once more as the Crew A cox. This seasoned crew has four members who have rowed for Kuwait Pilot Gig in the last two races, and two of those four have rowed in the last three races!
Crew B holds six rowers new to the sport only this year but who epitomize the phrase, ‘it’s the taking part that counts!’ While taking part is great, both Crews still hope to surpass the previous records of 46th and 70th positions achieved in 2018.
The design of the boats Kuwait Pilot Gig trains in is based on the traditional Cornish gig. Each gig has been hand made in Kuwait to exacting standards. A gig holds six rowers; three rowing stroke-side on the right and three rowing bow-side on the left. The rower in position 6 sets the pace, and each crew member must follow that stroke with the entire team being motivated and guided by the coxswain, otherwise known as the cox or captain.
For Crew A, Abdulaziz Alsalem will be setting stroke in 6, closely matched on bow-side by Lamya Almousa in 5. Sumaiah Hussain will be putting all her power into the stroke-side position at 4 which Mariam Alothman will follow stroke-side in position 2. Reza Karampour and Jennifer Cádiz take bow-side in 3 and 1 respectively.
It’s the best kind of trauma!
Sumaiah Hussain, Crew A, position 4
The day itself will be the first time either crew has rowed together for the full 34 KM. Veteran rower Sumaiah from Crew A knows what challenges to expect but hints it’s worth it when she declares enthusiastically, “It’s the best kind of trauma!”
The Crew B rowers Ninar AlQames 6, Rasha Alshaar 5, Abdulaziz Safar 4, Mohammad Alnejadah 3, Fajer Al Qadeeri 2, and Wajd Alkhateeb 1 are experiencing London’s River Marathon for the first time together. Some had expressed slight trepidation previously, as they have never rowed for such a long time before. The race is expected to take 3 hours but all the rowers in Crew B are determined to enjoy it with the moniker “Party Crew” aptly being given to this energetic, personality-driven team.
More than 20,000 spectators gather at the end of this race to cheer on both the serious rowers and those that have dressed in costume to raise money for various charities. It’s a daunting race with skill and teamwork being needed to navigate the course safely and successfully. bazaar has no doubt that both teams are ship-shape and will do Kuwait proud!
If you’re in London and wish to follow The River Marathon go to greatriverrace.co.uk. For more information on Kuwait Pilot Gig or to ask for a trial session go to Instagram and direct message @kwt_pilot_gig. You can also call 6966 9988. Feature image by Abdulaziz Safar.
