Saturday (5th May) saw the first regatta of the Hants & Dorset Season for the Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club.
This was held over a 1500m course on the River Itchen in Southampton and was hosted by Coalporters Rowing Club.
Ryde had just 1 crew a Novice Four competing, comprising of Tom Starkey, Tye Cameron, Ben Sanderson, Austin Smith with Daniel Sanderson in the coxswain seat.
In a tough heat they drew the eventual winners from the host club Coalporters. An excellent start saw them gain a length off their rivals but a slow buoy turn allowed their rivals back into the race.
After a good tussle back to the finish line the Coalporters crew won by about 2 lengths. Unfortunately, Ryde didn’t have a sufficiently fast time to see them into the semi-finals as a fastest looser, which was a little disappointing but it was a good positive row giving hope that this will soon be winning crew.
