Ryde Rowing Club returned to competitive action at Woolston Regatta on Saturday (19th August).
The conditions were far from ideal and this regatta very nearly suffered the same fate as others in July and August.
The Wightlink-sponsored Club had a slightly depleted squad due to holidays but were able to boat a coxed four, a coxless pair and six single scullers, although the two J16 Scullers – Charlie Watts and Isaac Gibson – were prevented from sculling when their race was abandoned before their start because of the prevailing conditions.
The highlight of the Regatta for the Ryde Club was the performance of their Coastal Junior Four of Charlie Watts, Ben Sanderson, Will Hall, Paddy Kearney with Mai Mackay Coxing, who finished 2nd in the final to the Hants & Dorset ARA Champions from Southampton. Their 2 wins and several second places have led to them being selected to represent the Association in the Coastal Junior Fours event at the South Coast Championship Regatta at Folkestone on the 16th of September – the 43rd time the club has been asked to provide a representative crew for the Association – where they have gone on to win 19 South Coast Championships.
There was another fine performance by Stella Baisley, finishing 2nd in the Ladies Novice Sculls event in very challenging conditions.
Ryde Rowing Club’s 3 mens Novice Scullers had mixed fortunes, the A Sculler Paddy Kearney, finishing 3rd in his heat to claim a place in the finals. The Novice B Sculler Will Hall suffered a capsize soon after the start of his race, forcing him to withdraw. There was an excellent performance from the Novice C Sculler Isaac Gibson in his first competitive sculling race, where he finished in 5th place out of 9 in his heat.
The Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of Will Hall and Paddy Kearney finished 4th in their final.
The Club also had young Novice Oarsman Lucas Georgiou – making his competitive debut for the Club – racing in a composite crew with 3 oarsmen for Poole Rowing Club, who finished 5th in their final.
