Minibus issues for Ryde Rowing Club and trailer issues for Newport led to the two Island clubs pooling resources to compete at the first head race of the season, the Itchen Imperial Rowing Clubs Eight and Fours Head of the River Itchen, on Sunday.
Ryde had two young crews competing, both performing well in the long 5k processional race, staged over two divisions, with crews started at approximately 10 second intervals and timed.
In the first division the Men’s Novice Four of Dom Douglas, Jacob Redstone, Joel Smith and Joe Groves with Austin Smith coxing – a J15 Crew – racing against older and stronger adult crews performed especially well to finish 4th in their section in a time of 21 minutes 6 seconds.
Joel Smith and coxswain Austin then teamed up with Ben Toms – making his racing debut for the Club – Tom Kearney and Steven Soal – who are also a J15 Crew – competing against older boys in the J16 Coxed Quads – and they finished in a very creditable 3rd place in a time of 23 minutes and 39 seconds.
The Isle of Wight Rowing Forum, the organisation of Island Rowing Clubs, are staging an adult Learn to Row Course in March – starting at Ryde on Sunday 9th March – and anyone interested in taking part in this course should contact Garry Walters on on 0774 987 1357 or via e-mail [email protected] for more details.
