R. P. O’CONNOR

Pat O’Connor, who died on 26th December 2007 aged 77, was Captain of Weybridge Rowing Club for five years between 1961 and 1966.  Under his leadership the Club achieved success both on and off the water but perhaps the most remarkable thing was that prior to coming to Weybridge he had no previous connection with the sport of rowing.

Pat was introduced to the Club by Mike Knowles, who at that time was rowing in a Weybridge eight.  They were colleagues, working in the town, and Pat’s first visit was no more than a social one.  He must have liked what he saw because he came again and travelled with the eight to the Boston Marathon.  His help and organisational ability that weekend were noticed so when the Captain’s election came up shortly afterwards, Pat was approached and agreed to stand.  

Those of us who thought Pat would ease his way into the job, taking advice from more experienced members as he learned, were soon corrected.  He was a very determined and persuasive man.  People who thought they might manage one or two evenings training in a week found themselves doing three or four.  A member of Walton Rowing Club later remarked that he took Weybridge Rowing Club and gave it a shake.  Winter training, previously done in the clubhouse or on the land outside the boathouse, was transferred to a local school gymnasium (at no cost) after Pat had made a case to the local education authority.  He obtained a grant from somewhere and the old corrugated iron roof of the clubhouse was replaced.  He found and encouraged coaches, as well as oarsmen.  In the Head of the River Race, which is a fair measure of a club’s prowess, the 1st Eight moved up from 133rd in 1961 to 39th in 1962 and 23rd in 1963.  Weybridge crews won events at the summer regattas and the Club had several respectable fours at Henley.  Pat’s ambition was to have an eight in the Thames Cup at Henley and he achieved this in 1965 with a crew, all but one of whom had all learnt their rowing at Weybridge.

Pat had a direct way of doing things.  He was not afraid of argument or of challenging established practices but it was always done in the best interests of the Club.  On one occasion, he announced to the Committee that he had ordered a new four (which the Club could not afford), had arranged to borrow money to pay for it and then told them the name he had decided.  He was also instrumental in finding sponsors for a new eight, The Drake, the bow section of which still hangs in the clubhouse 

After he ceased to be Captain, Pat redirected his efforts into the role of Social Secretary.  In this he was also successful, with dinners and other fund-raising events.  He started the 200 Club, which has been generating income to maintain the clubhouse and furnishings for more than thirty years now.

Pat was an Honorary Life Member, which is highest mark of esteem the Club can give.  His funeral on 8th January was attended by past Presidents, Captains and Secretaries.

John Burnett