A strong contingent from the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club traveled to the Hants & Dorset ARA run Swanage Regatta on Saturday (29th June) – although with the exception of the Men’s Coastal Junior Four, results were disappointing.
This was Ryde’s largest entry of the season to date – with seven fours, two pairs and five single scullers entered in what is one of the best supported and most popular rowing regatta’s on the South Coast – and where the Ryde Club plays a leading role in its organization providing the Regatta Secretary and two of the Race Officials – as well as preparing and donating all the officials lunches.
After just loosing out to rivals Lymington in the last two Regatta’s the men’s Coastal Junior Four of – James Cleary, Stephen Johnson, Ollie Gove and Adam Edwards with Sam Brading coxing – had something to prove and showed their intent with a convincing win in their heat before going on to win the final by two lengths over Lymington – these two crews being well ahead of the rest of the field – to record the only win for any Island crew or sculler at the regatta. This win should guarantee the crew selection to represent the Association at the South Coast Rowing Championships at Deal in September.
The other Ryde crews found life much tougher, the Ladies Coastal Junior crew of – Steph Kissick, Heidi Kissick, Gemma Smith and Alicia Stokes with Mick Jenner coxing – and both Men’s Novice crews – the “A” crew of – Callum Lockhart, Will Ford, Isaac Cornish and James Smith with Max Reeve – and the “B” crew of – Jacob Redstone, Joe Groves, Dom. Douglas, Matt Jeacock and cox Max Reeve – all failing to make the final – although the performance of the young Novice B crew – with an average age of just 14 – who only just missed out on a place in the final was impressive. A similar fate befell the five Ryde Novice Scullers – Joe Norman, Charlie Norman, Harvey Kirkby plus Sam Corney and Dale Buckett who also raced in the Men’s Senior Pair.
Ryde’s Senior Ladies were also back in action – after struggling with injuries throughout the season – but there was still only a pair of Lou Hewision and Hayley Edwards who finished 5th in their final.
Two J16 crews raced in their respective finals – an all boys crew of – Matthew Jeacock, Dom Douglas, Tom Kearney, Elys Norman with cox Max Reeve – and a mixed crew of – Caitlin Smith, Katie Corney, Joe Groves and Jacob Redstone with Austin Smith coxing – who finished 5th and 6th respectively in this combined race.
Finally an adult mixed crew of – Sophie Brown, Steph Kissick, James Cleary and Joe Norman with Sam Brading coxing – was put together on the day and raced well to finish in 4th place.
Photo: Ryde’s winning Coastal Junior Four. LtoR – Stephen Johnson, James Cleary, Sam brading (Cox), Ollie Gove, Adam Edwards.
