Rowers from Shanklin Sandown and Ryde Rowing Clubs delivered strong performances at the Coalporters Small Boats and Junior Regatta on Saturday (16th August).
The event marked the final Hants and Dorset fixture of the season and was held on the River Itchen in Southampton.
Shanklin Sandown secured 4 wins alongside a series of second-place finishes across junior and novice sculling categories.
In the J14 single sculls, Connie Batley-Smith and Josh Batchelor both claimed victories. The club’s doubles strength continued with wins in the J14 girls double for Martha Eggleton and Amelia Chambers, and in the J15 girls double for Layla Katirewa and Rose Collier.
Runner-up positions were achieved by Esme Walters in the novice sculls, Rose Collier in the J15 1x, Alex Collier and Josh Batchelor in the J14 2x, the J16 girls quad, a mixed J14 quad, and Annabelle Steward, who reached the semi-finals.
Tobin Green, making his competitive debut, put in a strong performance to qualify for the semi-final as the fastest loser.
Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink, also had a successful showing with a small squad.
In the Open Novice Fours over a 1500m course with a turn, Isaac Gibson won his heat for the Ryde “A” crew but placed 2nd in the semi-final behind the eventual winners. Charlie Watts, rowing for the Ryde “B” entry, won both his heat and semi-final, and went on to finish 2nd in the final.
In the Boys J16 double scull over an 800m course, Joe Bird and Max Locke placed 3rd in their semi-final. Both rowers also entered the J16 single sculls, where Joe Bird won his semi-final and claimed a convincing victory in the final. Max Locke finished 2nd in his semi-final, qualified for the final as fastest loser, and placed 4th.
Both clubs now turn their focus to the South Coast Rowing Championships in Plymouth on Saturday (6th September), where Ryde will represent the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association with two crews – an Open Junior Senior Four and a Women’s Coastal Junior Four.
