Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at Woolston Regatta in very blustery conditions on Saturday (16th June).
The regatta at Western Shore, Southampton, hosted by Southampton Rowing Club, marked the half way stage of the Hants & Dorset ARA Coastal season.
Hopes were high that the club’s Novice Four would finally fulfil their potential and win their status after a number of second places. The club was not disappointed as the crew of Josh Lee, Tom Starkey, Tye Cameron and Austin Smith got off to a great start in the extremely challenging conditions. As the race progressed their advantage grew and after an excellent turn by the Cox Daniel Sanderson, which earned him the ‘cox of the day’ award, they won by a distance to gain promotion to Coastal Junior status.
Austin Smith then teamed up with Ben Sanderson in the Men’s Coastal junior Pairs – this J16 crew rowing exceptionally well to finish in 2nd place against adult competition.
The club’s Senior Sculler Dale Buckett, in just his second outing of the season and at this status, also raced exceptionally well to finish in 2nd place in his final. However, there was disappointment for Coastal Junior Sculler Joel Smith who capsized while in contention in his race.
In the Ladies Coastal Junior pairs race there was another fine performance from the club’s J16 Ladies – Grace Bolland and Freya Drage – again racing against adult and higher status competition. They managed a very respectable 4th place in the day’s most difficult conditions, which lead to the cancellation of the J16 events where the club also had crews due to compete.
