The 2021 Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Championships took place last weekend, hosted by Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club.
This year the event featured adult rowers for the first time and there were some exciting races, alongside quite a few personal bests.
The Masters event saw a win for Shanklin’s John Langbourne from clubmate Paul Gamble, both in personal best times, with Chris Mullin of Newport – the event’s oldest competitor – finishing in 3rd.
Shanklin took the top spots in the Year 9 boys’ event, with Carter Horrix first from Louis Sheasby. The Year 7 girl’s race saw Layla Katirewa winning from Immy Burfitt and Izzy Bounds.
The adult boys’ event saw the closest finish of the day with Will Hall beating fellow Ryde rower Paddy McKearney, with Yas Wright winning the equivalent girl’s race from Beth Walpole-Davies and Shanklin’s Frances Katirewa winning the Year 12 girl’s race from Fauve Hooper-Phelps.
The Year 11 boys’ event had the largest field of the day with Newport’s Connor Garner taking the plaudits from Shanklin’s Ben Smith and Ollie Hatch, who were 2nd and 3rd respectively, whilst the Year 11 girls event saw the top 2 spots go to Kayleigh Batchelor and Esme Walters.
The club’s crews see a return to the water this weekend in the second of the winter time trials.
