Peter grew up in Weybridge, a hands-on easy going individual who loved his family and in younger times his sport. From a young age he was a very practical person always out and about or making something or other with his hands. At the age of 12 he joined the sea scouts and later at the age of about sixteen joined Weybridge Rowing Club. A gentle giant of a man even at that age he rapidly became WRC’s leading young oarsman winning many cadet and junior trophies. The full range of his success can be read about in a book about the history of Weybridge Rowing Club 1880s-1980s by Nigel Burton. As his success grew the collection of tankards at home grew. After one successful regatta he went home with the most beautiful 2-foot high silver cup covered in swans which he got to keep until the Monday when it had to be returned to the bank vault.
In 1970 he was selected as part of a composite crew with Walton and Kingston Rowing Clubs to represent Great Britain in coxless 4s at the world junior rowing championships on Lake Ioannina in Greece.
Peter loved sculling and won many trophies at the autumn long distance sculling events across the Thames Valley and even as far afield as the River Cam where in 1970 he led a team of young Weybridge scullers to victory in the team event over the mighty Cambridge University BC over the long distance sculling race on their home course.
Peter went on to further success internationally with Keith Gee from Molesey Boat Club, representing England and winning the double sculls event at the Home Countries International regatta at Castle Semple Loch in Renfrewshire in Scotland in 1975. Peter and Keith also entered the double sculls at Henley Royal Regatta, losing in the final to the redoubtable CBC double of Mike Hart & Chris Baillieu who later went on to win the bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships at Nottingham.
Whilst never giving up his love of rowing Peter then decided to join Thames Valley Skiff club where he was equally competitive. He continued to row until his mid-30’s when he was officially classed as a veteran, although his final outing on the water was in June 1987 when he was selected to take part in the Dragon Boat races in Hong Kong and would once more represent his country as part of the Amateur Rowing Association’s Great British crew. Sadly, the crew were caught out by the extremely rough conditions and appalling weather in Kowloon Harbour on race day, which meant they only finished in sixth place.
In later life ill health sadly prevented Pete from continuing to do many of the sports that he loved and he has been taken from us at far too early an age.
The best description of Peter can be summed up in this anecdote recounted by Liz his sister as we committed his ashes to the river he loved:
“Pete was preparing for a big competition one Summer and he asked me to come down the Skiff Club one evening to cox his boat. Pete gave me a megaphone and a raincoat just before we departed in the Skiff and said I need you to count 1 to 10, projecting your voice as loud as possible!
I wondered why I needed the raincoat, but it was like he knew what was coming ….
A few minutes after we launched the boat, it started to rain, but rain wasn’t going to stop Pete, and he was determined that they were going to win the competition the next day.
A storm most definitely broke that evening, the sky turned dark suddenly, and the rain was torrential. We initially rowed under Walton Bridge, then went underneath the second bridge into the Desborough Channel, and I’ve never experienced rain like it in the UK. I can still visualise that night vividly, I was trying to see the crew in front of me, which was difficult, I was trying to steer the boat, and also shouting at the top of my voice, one to ten!
That was Pete in a nutshell, determined, courageous and a winner!
Nothing was going to stop him to achieve his goals, and that is how I will always remember him.”
RIP Pete
Rob Kenyon, 18th September 2024
The Call of the Rowing Tide
Beneath the river’s tranquil grace,
We chart our course, a steady pace,
With every stroke, we lift the oar,
In rhythm with the waves we soar.
Your guiding voice, a beacon bright,
Through twilight’s calm and morning’s light,
With every call, our hearts align,
Your spirit in the currents shine.
As ashes fall to waters deep,
In oars’ embrace, your memories sleep,
We row in tribute, strong and true,
Our coxswain’s spirit, always new.
Through rippling waves, where spirits ride.
Each stroke reflects a life well-spent,
As ashes blend with river’s flow,
Your legacy in the currents grow.
We honour you with each command,
The rhythm of your voice still stands,
For in the strokes of every crew,
Your spirit’s strength forever true.
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