London 2012: Rowing at Eton Dorney

A 5.30am wake up on a Saturday morning is only even remotely acceptable when a) you're going on holiday or b) you're going to the London 2012 Olympics.  I was lucky enough to be able to get tickets to day one of rowing - the longest day in the whole rowing competition.  

The organisation for the whole event was superb - we arrived at the park and ride at Windsor Great Park for 7am to find no queues and although busy, there were plenty of buses and volunteers on hand to direct everyone.  When we arrived at Dorney itself, we were guided through the entrance onto the concourse that led to the entrance.  The staff were really smiley and friendly, waving and grinning as we all walked in.  At security, we were met by soldiers who were just as smiley as the volunteers.  Although exactly the same as airport security (we had to put our bags in trays that went through an x-ray machine whilst we walked through a scanner), the Olympic security seemed much better organised and there was only a queue of a minute or so before we were safely through and on our way to the stands.

Around the main grandstand area, there were numerous shops, stalls and food outlets.  There were considerable queues for food and drink but again, when you spoke to staff, they all seemed very happy to be working there despite how hectic it must have been for them.  My only complaint would be that when I went to the shop to buy a team GB flag (we were sitting in the front row, so I had to get a flag to drape over the barrier in front!), they only appeared to have one card machine.  It lead to complete chaos since we had all been told that cash and Visa would be accepted at Olympic events.  That said, I did get my flag and an Olympic keyring so I was happy in the end!

Unfortunately Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter weren't rowing but the first heats started with the women's pairs in which Team GB's Helen Glover and Heather Stanning set a new Olympic record!  What a start to the day!  Team GB also went straight through in the men's double sculls, men's lightweight four, men's quadruple sculls, men's pair and men's single sculls.  All in all a great day for Team GB!

I'm now frantically trying to get tickets for more events - I had a great day and I'd love to see some more Olympic action live!

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