Ryde Rowing Club’s Women’s Novice Four claimed an impressive victory as the Hants & Dorset ARA regatta season drew to a close on Saturday (15th August).
Ryde Rowing Club – sponsored by Wightlink – competed at the final Hants & Dorset ARA Regatta of the season, hosted by BTC Southampton Rowing Club at Western Shore, Woolston.
Racing took place over a 1,900m course featuring a racing turn, with Ryde crews competing across a number of events.
The highlight of the day came from the Women’s Novice Four of Clare Gordon, Polley Townson, Anny Bird and Sophia Roberts – the latter on loan from Coalporters Rowing Club – with Mai Read coxing.
The crew produced an excellent row to win their final by several lengths, a result which takes them halfway towards achieving Coastal Junior status.
Ryde’s Women’s Senior Four of Stella Baisley, Alexis Owen, Eva Gordon and Emily Kellerman, coxed by Ruby Read, also raced well to finish 4th in their final.
In the Open Senior Pairs, Ryde’s B crew of Isaac Gibson and Max Locke finished 6th, just ahead of the A crew of Charlie Watts and Paddy Kearney, who took 7th.
There was further success in the Open Novice Single Sculls, with both Ryde competitors progressing through their heats. Charlie Watts finished 2nd in his heat to qualify for the final, while Isaac Gibson secured his place by winning his heat.
The final proved closely fought, with Isaac pipped at the post by just half a canvas to finish 2nd, while Charlie took 3rd place.
In the Women’s Single Sculls, Ryde’s Alexis Owen and Stella Baisley finished 4th and 6th respectively.
Finally, Ryde competed in the mixed Arthur Shergold Memorial Race as part of a composite crew with Newport Rowing Club.
Ryde’s Mai Read and Isaac Gibson joined 2 Newport rowers and a Newport cox, with the composite crew going on to finish 7th in the final.
