Andrew Bayles

Eighteen-year-old Andy Bayles was still at school when he was a member of the Derby Rowing Club coxless fours that beat Christiania Roklub of Norway to win the 1965 Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley. The following year he competed in the World Championships at Bled, Yugoslavia. Also in 1966, Bayles was second in the Stewards’ Challenge Cup coxless fours at Henley when Roforeningen Kvik of Denmark beat Derby RC in the final.

Bayles went to London University in 1967 and rowed for them in both World and European Championships, finishing third in the 1971 European eights B Final. He enjoyed further success at Henley in 1968, winning the Grand with the London University eight. As a result, the crew was selected for the Mexico Olympics. Further Henley success followed when the London University coxed fours won the 1971 Prince Philip Challenge Cup, and in 1978 Bayles enjoyed a second Grand Challenge victory with the Thames Tradesmen’s eight that beat Leander in the final. In 1977 Bayles married the 1976 Olympic rower Clare Grove.