Andy Ripley R.I.P.
Andy was a great friend of many of us at Indoor Sport Services. We first met him at our very first British Indoor Rowing Championship in 1991 where an unsuspecting Andy had been lured along to participate by his good friend Roger Uttley. On that occasion Roger, who it transpired had been doing a lot of training just got the better of Andy, but that was to be the last time. Andy came back for more, time and again to become the single most successful participant ever at the BIRC, winning an amazing 10 titles between 1992-2004, become world champion and in 1998 breaking the 2000m world record for Men over 50 - 6:07.7. A record that still stands to this day.
As Andy caught the bug for indoor rowing his ambitions quickly reached far beyond the confines of the gym. He had his eyes firmly fixed on transforming his natural athlete talent and potential on the rowing machine to a boat. With regular early morning sessions on the Thames in London he started to hone his technique and at the age of 49 (going on 50) he enrolled at Cambridge University. Under the watchful eye and tutelage of the world class coach Harry Mahon, Andy rapidly made progress within the Boat Race programme. Always one of the top performers on tests on the Indoor Rower Andy's main challenge was to refine that potential into a fluid technique that added real pace to the boat. But, in the pressure cooker environment and very limited schedule of the Boat Race, the three months that he had to 'make the grade' proved just too much of a leap and he just missed the final cut.
Away from the rowing machine and the water Andy was irrepressible. He lived with a joy for life and was multi-talented. He was a super sportsman, a successful businessman in various spheres, and a loving father and husband. His spirit for life was fabulous, infectious and touched so many people. He never gave up hope and although he has now sadly passed away that passion for life and all things good will remain with us all. For many his approach to life is a guiding light... an example of how the game (of life) should be played.
Keep on playing Andy...
With love and best wishes,
John Wilson,
Indoor Sport Services
Messages left for Andy
Like Gwyn I first met Andy at the B.I.R.C. at Reading in 1998. I will be 62 this year myself. So I really feel for his family at Andy passing away so young.
George Meredith - 2010-06-24 16:26
Just heard about Andy, so sad, memories of 'Ripper's Row' flooding back... RIP Andy
Brian Garner - 2010-06-24 08:59
Really saddened by his passing but will let his zest and spirit to achieve, inspire me in all walks of life whether it is training/day to day tasks. We've lost an inspiration but only if we fail to take example.... my thoughts are with his family and also the BIRC family...... R.I.P. Mr Ripley I never had the opportunity to meet you in person but through your achievements I already have........
Weininger Irwin - 2010-06-22 23:39
Andy, you were and are an inspiration - fantastic athlete, fantastic brain, fantastic performer, fantastic attitude - long may you continue to inspire
Mike O'Dell - 2010-06-21 18:24
Met Andy at the 24hr Rippers Row. He was a giant of a man and an inspiration to everyone whose life he touched. We will all remember him.
Kay Hughes - 2010-06-21 15:59
I first met him in 1998 at my first BIRC held at The Rivermead, Reading. He obviously noticed I was a novice and looking slightly nervous took the trouble to come over and have a chat. I told him about my brother's experience of playing against him at rugby and thinking he had made a perfect tackle...only to find himself being dragged along the ground as the great man kept going! Sad loss for us all.
Gwyn Samuel - 2010-06-19 07:11
So honored to have met Andy... A tragic loss.. We will never forget him. RIP x
Megan - 2010-06-19 07:03
His awesome row at BIRC when he rowed the WR of 6.05-ish for 50+hwt's was just before my time but I know many on here knew him. He was a guy who was a great Rugby Union player for England and the British Lions. He will be sadly missed, even by people like me that never knew him.
Rocket Roy - 2010-06-18 21:21
Saw the news this morning. Unfortunately I never met him, but he was an inspiration both as an outstanding athlete and as a man.
The Ref - 2010-06-18 16:05
Gone but not forgotten. Lucky enough to have met him. The Legend lives on. RIP Andy
roadrunner - 2010-06-18 08:52
Andy had the qualities that every young person should aspire to achieve:
One of the greats - He will be missed - But didnt he leave outstanding records of his feats!! cannondalerugby5 - 2010-06-18 08:04
- Free Thinking
- Free Flowing
- Free Spirited
RIP Andy
Pos - 2010-06-17 23:29
Great man, and he beat me solid at BIRC.
davidaldridge - 2010-06-17 22:07
I never met him, but he was an inspiration non the less. A sad loss, but many, many memories will live on.
Wolfmiester - 2010-06-17 20:52
Very sad, he was a great bloke. I knew him through athletics and rugby, a true legend and as already said he was as nice a guy as he was a great athlete.
forestrower - 2010-06-17 20:10
A terrible shame. He was my first rugby hero when i was ten years old after i saw him desroying the competition on Superstars. He just oozed class both sporting and personal. R.I.P Andy
bellboy - 2010-06-17 19:47
Thoughts with his family. As everyone has said so far....... what a legend and a gentleman. Gone but never forgotton.
George King - 2010-06-17 19:28
Was just in awe at watching his race a few years back. RIP
Rich Hardie - 2010-06-17 19:10
The Legend lives on... A truly wonderful sporting hero and friend. You will be sorely missed. RIP...
Anne Yates - 2010-06-17 19:09
I am so sad to hear about Andy Ripley death. Being in the same age group and competing against Andy he was a legend and dont forget he was very close to getting in the oxford boat crew at 50 years old. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
60 plus club - 2010-06-17 18:53
Very very sad news it is too. Rugby, SuperStars, Erging - nearly an Oxbridge blue OTW at an advanced age to boot Legendary !!
Matt Newman - 2010-06-17 18:11
desperately sad news - a true inspiration .... every forumite should buy his book, read it and learn from it!
ChrisCC - 2010-06-17 18:09
Such sad news, Rest in peace... Utterly inspirational... He will continue to motivate me.
KevP - 2010-06-17 17:22
An amazing athlete and an amazing person. Another indoor rower who has left their mark on our sport in such a positive way. He will be missed.
Bionic - 2010-06-17 17:01
We dared hope, alas to no avail. RIP Andy
le Grande Fromage - 2010-06-17 16:59
I want to go out and destroy an erg in his honour and I can't. What a great, great athlete and what an even better man. It wouldn't be in his nature to rest in peace....
NavigationHazard - 2010-06-17 16:52
It is with enormous sadness that I have to tell you all that Andy passed away at 12.30 today. When I have further news on his funeral or a memorial service I will let you know. RIP Andy ... a true great in every possible sense!!
Graham Benton - 2010-06-17 15:47