It was another reasonably successful day for the Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club at Christchurch Rowing Club’s Annual Regatta on Saturday (26th May).
The 2-boat racing format of this Regatta, on the narrow River Stour, presented a different challenge from the usual open coastal events.
The highlight of the day for Ryde was a win for their Boys J16 Coxed Four of Josh Lee, Tom Starkey, Ben Sanderson and Austin Smith – with coach Graham Reeve coxing – who beat the hosts Christchurch in the Final.
The same crew, except for Tye Cameron replacing Josh Lee, also raced in the Men’s Novice Fours event where they will be slightly disappointed to have been beaten in their heat all be it by the eventual winners from Poole.
A second J16 Coxed Four of Paddy Kearney, Freya Drage, Grace Bolland and Tye Cameron – with Graham in the coxswains seat once again – did well as a mixed crew, who had to compete in the Boys J16 event and were narrowly defeated in the heat.
Grace and Freya also raced in a Ladies Novice Four with 2 girls from Newport, but their lack of any training opportunities as a crew showed and they too were defeated in the heats.
