Ryde Rowing Club Men’s novice crew won their final against Itchen Imperial Rowing Club to gain promotion to Coastal Junior Status at Christchurch Rowing Club on Saturday (21st May).
The highlight of the day for Ryde came from their Men’s Novice Crew – Bradley Whiting, Paddy Kearney, Will Hall and Elliott O’Sullivan with Mai MacKay coxing – racing exceptionally well to battle through 2 rounds before meeting a crew from Itchen Imperial Rowing Club in the final – which they also won fairly convincingly – to gain promotion to Coastal Junior Status. It was an especially good performance from their young coxswain Mai MacKay in her first races at Christchurch, which is a particularly challenging course.
The Men’s Coastal Junior Four of Matt Chambers, Ben Sanderson, Joel Smith and Austin Smith, coxed by Bryony Reeve, suffered a mishap at the turn for the 2nd week running while in the lead which cost them the race.
The only other entry from Ryde was a Ladies novice composite crew consisting of Ryde’s Hanna Lake and Chloe Hughes with two other Ladies – one from Southsea and one from Christchurch – coxed once again by Mai MacKay, also lost in the heats.
So proud of Ryde Rowing Club and and especially beautiful Mai, massive thanks to the adults that make it happen all year round for the crews, a fantastic team, sport and experience for youngsters, more should give it a go