Island rowers delivered victories, titles and thrilling races at the Itchen Imperial Regatta in Southampton over the weekend.
The regatta, staged over a 1400m course on the River Itchen, saw 3-boat races contested through heats and finals, with south coast clubs vying for key championships.
Ryde Rowing Club: Double Wins and Championship Success
Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club enjoyed one of their most successful events of the season, claiming two final victories and securing the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Women’s Coastal Junior Fours Championship. This triumph also confirmed Ryde’s place at next month’s South Coast Rowing Championships in Plymouth (5th–6th September).
The highlight came in the Women’s Coastal Coxed Fours, where Ryde’s A crew of Emily Kellerman, Alexis Owen, Eva Gordon and Abi Locke, coxed by Ruby Reed, dominated their heat and semi-final before powering to victory in the final. The club’s B crew of Niamh Murphy, Demi Cranham-Ede, Carla Jenkins and Fiona Owen, coxed by Mai Read, also impressed with a solid heat performance.
Ryde also excelled in the Open Junior Senior Fours, with the A crew of Paddy Kerney, Will Hall, Joe Roberts and Charlie Watts, coxed by Mai Read, taking the win ahead of their own B crew of Isaac Gibson, Yogi Ashworth, Ben Robotham and Joe Bird, coxed by Harry Watts. This result is expected to secure another South Coast berth for the club.
Strong sculling performances came from Charlin Watts, who finished second in the Men’s Open Sculls final, and novice women’s sculler Stella Baisley, who won her heat and placed second in the semi-final.
Newport Rowing Club: Narrow Margins and Championship Rivalry
Newport Rowing Club fielded five crews, delivering strong performances across the board. The Women’s Novice B crew of Becca Beaney, Cara White, Helen Hopper and Damien Cranham, coxed by Mariana Hare, secured second in their semi-final. Their Women’s A crew of Flora Lockey, Julia Coulson, Hannah White and Grace Garner, coxed by Fiona Brookes, won their semi-final but finished third in a competitive final behind Coalportes and Itchen.
The Junior 4 A crew of Boris Hare, Connor Garner, Nathaniel Hamilton and Eric Williams, coxed by Mariana Hare, impressed by winning their heat and going head-to-head with Southampton in the semi-final. The final was decided by the narrowest of margins, with Southampton edging ahead by a canvas. Both crews now sit tied on four wins this season, leaving the Junior 4 championship to be decided at Newport Regatta next weekend.
Newport’s Junior Pair of Jake Garner and Nathaniel Hamilton and the Junior 4 B crew both finished third in their heats, while the Men’s Masters crew also claimed a third-place finish.
Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club: Championship Glory and Strong Performances
Shanklin Sandown’s Esme Walters and Anna Scott secured the Hants & Dorset Ladies Junior Pairs Championship with two commanding races. After overcoming local Southampton opposition in the semi-final, they delivered an excellent final against Christchurch – the only crew capable of denying them the title. A superb turn at the buoys gave Shanklin a two-length lead, which they extended to five lengths by the finish. This victory marks the club’s third win in this event in eight years and their eleventh consecutive year claiming an H&D championship.
Frances Katirewa made a welcome return in the single scull, leading early and maintaining her advantage until being caught by the championship leader after hitting squally water. The Junior Ladies crew, racing at their new status, narrowly missed out on the semis, while the Junior Men’s crew of Sam Meadowcroft, Tobin Green, Isaac King, Fin Diffey and Esme Walters stormed through their heat and rowed strongly in the semi-final, just missing the final by a length.
Shanklin’s Paul Gamble also teamed up with Newport’s Masters crew, finishing a close third in a fiercely contested category.
With Ryde, Newport and Shanklin all tasting success, attention now turns to the double-header at Newport next weekend – where the Junior 4 championship showdown promises to be an intense battle.
