RYDE REGATTA, Saturday, 11th May, 2013 and SHANKLIN REGATTA, Sunday, 12th May, 2013.

Following the cancellation of the first Hants & Dorset ARA Regatta of the season at Bournemouth on the 4th May Ryde had the honor of hosting the first event when they held their annual Regatta on Saturday (11th May). There was some nervousness as the final preparations were made for the event as the forecast was not very favorable, but the Club, who’s Appley Beach based course is probably one of the most sheltered coastal courses decided, correctly, to go ahead. The Regatta had attracted an entry of 109 crews and scullers from thirteen clubs, including the three Island Clubs – and Bexhill – from outside of the region. This large entry required a nineteen race program over the 1800m course which runs from Appley Beach out towards Ryde Pier where a racing turn takes place. The strong and gusting south westerly winds made the racing challenging, especially during the last few races and there were a number of capsizes which were expertly dealt with by Ryde Inshore Rescue supported by the Ryde Club’s safety boat and in spite of the conditions there was some excellent racing and close finishes – and the full program of events was completed. The Clubs Captain, Peter Allsopp presented the Trophies and individual prizes to the winning crews and scullers and thanked those who had sponsored, supported and help the Club run another very successful Regatta – especially the main sponsors Carisbrooke Shipping and the Isle of Wight and Ryde Town Councils.

As is so often the case at their home regatta the Ryde Crews did not perform to expectations – their best results being 3rd places for the Men’s Coastal Junior Four and the Ladies Senior Four - however they more than made up for any disappointment at Shanklin Regatta on the Sunday where they had two wins, two second places and two thirds.

Pride of place goes to the Ladies Senior Crew of Hayley Spall, Sophie Brown, Louise Maidment and Maddie Dunn, with cox Abbi Cornish – who comfortably won the Ladies Senior Fours event – the first win for a Ryde crew at this status since 1989!

An equally impressive performance came from the Men’s Coastal Junior Four of Andy Hicks, Stephen Johnson, Ollie Gove and Adam Edwards, with Sam Brading coxing who won their event in spite of the fact that three of the crew – Stephen, Ollie and Adam – were of a lower Novice status. Stephen Johnson and Andy Hicks then went on to race in the Coxless Junior Coastal Pairs event where they finished 2nd.

Another 2nd place was achieved by the fast improving Novice Ladies Four of - Heidi Kissick, Gemma Smith, Michaela Martin and Alicja Stokes with Sam Brading coxing once again

The Men’s Senior Four of Harvey Kirkby, Charlie and Jo Norman and Charlie Gedling, with Max Reeve coxing – in only their 2nd race at this level did well to finish in 3rd place. Another good Senior performance and 3rd place – this time racing for the first time at this level – came from Dale Buckett and Sam Corney – in the Men’s Senior coxless pairs.

Two from this squad also competed in the Novice Sculls – Charlie Norman finishing 5th and Dale Buckett 7th.

The Men’s Novice Four of Callum Lockhart, Will Ford, Isaac Cornish and James Smith with Mick Jenner coxing found the conditions a little more challenging – and failed to make the final – but are showing steady progress.

Photo: Ryde's winning Coastal Junior Four - Stephen Johnson, Andy Hicks, Ollie Gove, Adam Edwards (Str), Sam Brading (Cox).
 

 

BOURNEMOUTH REGATTA. Saturday, 4th May, 2013.

and RYDE REGATTA, Saturday, 11th May, 2013.

It was an inauspicious start to the Hants & Dorset Coastal season on Saturday (4th May) for Ryde Rowing Club who left the Island early to travel to Bournemouth for the first Championship Regatta only to arrive to find sea conditions rapidly deteriorating resulting in cancellation before the scheduled start time and an early return to the Island.

The Club is certainly hoping for better conditions this weekend when the Club will now host what will now be the first Championship Regatta from Appley Beach on the Saturday (11th May) with Shanklin the following day.

Junior Inter-Regional's Regatta. 27th April, 2013.

Ryde Rowing Club maintained their strong record of regional representation when seven of their Junior oarsman were selected to represent the Wessex Region and compete in the National Junior Inter-Regional's Regatta at the National Water sports Centre, Nottingham, on Saturday (27th April).

The Championships is contested between the 11 British Rowing Regions, with the Thames region split into two (Thames Upper and Thames Lower) to make 12 teams in total. All events are raced over 1500-meters with the heats timed and the fastest 6 crews going through to the Grande or “A” finale with the others into the Petite – “B” Final. A points system is applied determined by the results to establish which region are the national champions. The standard of racing is very high with a number of Junior Internationals and crews from the top public schools competing.

The Ryde athletes and support team travelled to Nottingham late on Friday afternoon staying locally before gathering at the National Water Sports Centre at 7.30am on the Saturday morning.

The Ryde Club provided the J14 Boys Coxless Quad – consisting of Joel Smith, Jacob Redstone, Joe Groves, Matthew Jeacock and Coxswain Austin Smith and the J16 Boys double of Charlie Norman and Harvey Kirkby – with the two crews experiencing mixed results in their two events.

In their first race the J14 Coxed Quad battled well to finish 3rd in the race and a chance of reaching the “A” final – but the other heat was marginally faster – the crew missing out by just four seconds. This tremendous effort took its toll and in their 2nd race – the “B” final – they finished in 10th place.

In contrast the J16 Boys double had a disappointing first race – finishing in 6th place – to take their place in the “B” final where they produced a much improved performance finishing 2nd in this race.

The Ryde crews therefore contributed eight points to the Wessex Teams total of eight-eight points over all events which put the team in 10th place equalling last years improved performance and beating to other regions - a good result for the smallest of the regional teams.

Photo:

DSCN3172.jpg. Ryde/Wessex Boys J16 Double Scull - Harvey Kirkby (Bow), Charlie Norman (Stroke).
DSCB3167.jpg. Ryde/Wessex Boys J14 Coxed Quad - in action at Nottingham - Austin Smith (Cox), Joel Smith, Jacob Redstone, Joe Groves, Matthew Jeacock (Stroke).

SOUTHAMPTON COASTAL HEAD OF THE RIVER RACE.

River Itchen, Southampton, Saturday, 13th April, 2013.

Four crews from Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race which is the traditional opening event of the Hants & Dorset ARA Coastal season on Saturday (13th April) in very poor and steadily deteriorating conditions accompanied by torrential rain. The Southampton Coastal Head is a time trial for coastal fours, staged in two divisions, over a four and a half mile course on the River Itchen, Southampton – where crews start in their statuses at approximately thirty second intervals.

Ryde had two crews competing in the first division in the Men’s Novice fours section – which had one of the largest fields for this section ever recorded – with a total of 26 Novice Fours racing. Ryde’s Novice A Crew of – Stephen Johnson, James Cleary, Ollie Gove and Adam Edwards, with cox Sam Brading – who had already tasted success this season at the Head of the Stour, were able to repeat this achievement – finish in a time of 19 minutes 24 seconds nearly 30 seconds ahead of the next Men’s Novice four to finish. The Clubs Novice B crew of – Callum Lockhart, Will Ford, Issac Cornish and James Smith with Abbie Cornish coxing - showed significant progress finishing in a time of 21 minutes 30 seconds in 17th place.

The second division saw the Ladies take to the water with the Ryde Clubs Ladies Senior Four – of Hayley Spall, Sophie Brown, Louise Maidment and Maddie Dunn with Abbie Cornish coxing again, finishing in a time of 23 minutes, 53 seconds – nearly a minute ahead of their nearest rivals - to claim the Clubs 2nd win of the day. The Ladies Novice Four of - Heidi Kissick, Steph Kissick, Michaela Martin and Alicja Stokes with Sam Brading coxing once again were competing for only the 2nd time and produced a very encouraging performance finishing in a time of 27 minutes and 2 seconds and in 5th place in another record field of 27 Ladies Novice Fours.

Photo. Ryde Men's Novice Four in action.

 

 

Tideway HORR and NJIRC.

There was disappointment last weekend (Saturday, 23rd March) for a small group of Ryde Rowing Club oarsman who had been selected to row in a Wessex Region Eight in the Head of the River Race which is rowed annually from Mortlake to Putney, on the Thames in London. Over four hundred crews compete in this event making it one of the highest participation events in London and one of the largest Head races in the world. The four Ryde members – Andy Hicks, Charlie Norman and Harvey Kirkby along with coxswain Max Reeve had travelled to the mainland to join up with squad members from other Wessex Region Clubs for training sessions for several weeks in preparation for the race. Unfortunately on the Friday before the event the organising committee of the Head of the River Race decided, after detailed consultation and consideration of the weather forecasts that river conditions over parts of the course could be unsafe due to the expected strong easterly winds throughout the day and cancelled the event – and it is very unlikely that a new date can be found due to fixture congestion.

However one member of this group – Charlie Norman – had, the previous Friday, representing his school, competed in the 7th National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships, hosted by London Youth Rowing at the Lea Valley Athletics Centre in North London where he won the silver medal in the Year 11 boys session – which had over one hundred entries - improving on his bronze medal at the 2012 event.

Other Ryde Rowing Club members, competing for their schools at NJIRC, which with over 2,500 entries and was the largest held to date – was Elys Norman, who also won a silver medal in the year 8 Boys section – against 185 other participants – and in the Year 11 Girls section the Club’s Sophie Brown finished 4th and Gemma Smith 55th in a section contested by 96 girls.

Photo: Ryde Rowing Clubs Charlie Norman, Silver Medalist, Boys Year 11, NJIC.

Steve Bull.


 

Ryde Rowing Club Annual Subscriptions are now due – no increase on 2012!

Rates of subscription were agreed at the Clubs AGM in October 2012 and are as follows - with a discount available if paid before 1st May 2012:
Membership type Payable before 1st May, 2012/Payable after 1st May 2012

Rowing £75* /£110
Social Rowing £45*/£70
Country (non IW res. inc Uni) £45*/£70
Cadet Under 18 £45*/£70
Cadet Under 16 £20/ £30
Associate £14/£14

Note: For new members, who have joined since December, 2012 the membership already paid covers the current subscription year. Your next subscription will be due in 1st March, 2014.

Subscriptions should be paid as soon as possible – over the bar at the Clubhouse or sent to the membership Secretary, Steph Hickman at 145 Great Preston Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight. PO33 1AZ. Telephone number 01983 613077. E Mail: steph.hickman1944@gmail.com

Cheques should be made payable to "Ryde Rowing Club".
Early payment helps the Club, saves you money – and saves us having to chase-you up!

Please help the Club and yourself and pay promptly.

*New members joining as Rowing, Social Rowing or under 18 cadets will pay an additional £5 joining fee which will give them 3 months membership of British Rowing – which includes insurance cover and copies of Rowing and Regatta magazine. Continuation of British Rowing after the three months is optional but all active members are encouraged to take out British Rowing Membership if only for the insurance cover – and it is compulsory to race on the river.

Steve Bull. For RRC Main committee.

Christchurch Head of the Stour, Sunday, 17th March, 2013.

Finally after three cancelled events for weather or ground conditions Ryde’s competitive preparations for the new season got under way when the Club competed at the Head of the Stour, at Christchurch, on Sunday (17th March).

This event time trail over a two mile course on the River Stour with competitions for men and women, adults and Juniors, in a range of age groups and boat types over two divisions.

Following on from one of their most successful ever season’s in 2012 it was always going to be difficult for the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Club to maintain they high standards they have achieved in the past but they were encouraged by some good performances from what was a depleted squad due to illness and injury.

In particular there was an impressive performance from the Boys J16 Double Scull of Harvey Kirkby and Charlie Gedling in winning their section in a time of 11 minutes 29 seconds – the fastest time of any double on the day – although not comparable two 2nd division times where the river flow had changed. Joel Smith and Dominic Douglas also raced in a double – in the boys J14 section – finishing 3rd.

Also racing in the first division was Joe Norman, racing in the Men’s Coastal Single Sculls event where he finished 3rd and two J14 Boys single scullers – Joe Groves and Jacob Redstone who finished 2nd and 3rd in their section.

Finally there was a good performance from the Ladies Novice Coastal Four of Gemma Smith, Heidi Lissick, Steph Kissick and Alicja Stokes, stroke with coach Mick Jenner coxing and where all but Gemma were competing for the first time. They finished in 5th place in a strong field of 22 crews.

In the 2nd division there was another very good performance from the Men’s “A” Novice Coastal four of Stephen Johnson, James Cleary, Ollie Gove and Adam Edwards with coach Mick Jenner coxing again – who won a strongly contested event. The Club’s Novice “B” of Callum Lockhart, Will Ford, Isaac Cornish and James Smith, stroke, all in their first race and Max Reeve, Cox – finished in 10th place from the field of twenty crews, in spite of an equipment failure that probably effected their time.

Also competing in the 2nd division were brothers Charlie and Joe Norman racing for the first time at Senior status – in the Men’s open double sculls – who finished in an impressive second place. There was another 2nd place for Men’s Novice Sculler Andy Hicks racing in the Men’s River Novice sculls event and a 3rd place for veteran sculler Allan Evans in his event.

Photos:

Boys J16 Double.JPG. Harvey Kirkby and Charlie Norman.

J14 Squad.- some of Ryde's J14 Squad at the Head of the Stour.

Steve Bull.

Ryde Rowing Club.

 

Very successful "Night at the Races"
Good attendance - and we raised £470 for the New Boat Fund - and took a few quid over the Bar.

Our thanks to - John and Val Adams - and Darrell Reeve - and Josie & Steph on the bar - the key people involved - and of course to the Race sponsors, Horse owners - and gamblers!

We plan to have another "Race Night" in the Autumn.

The next Club Social event - is on Thursday, 28th March - at 7.30pm - in the main lounge at the Clubhouse and is the first of a new series of the very popular "RRC 150 Club" talks with Fish and Chips Supper.

The subject is -
RYDE ~ 200 YEARS. “FISHING COTTAGES TO THE BIGGEST TOWN” PRESENTED BY MIKE EARP.
FISH & CHIP SUPPER : £6.00
FOOD ORDERS TO IAN LENNIE BY SUNDAY 24TH MARCH AT THE LATEST PLEASE.
TEL: IW 612877

See you there - but don't forget to call Ian to book your Fish & chips.

Inaugural IW Rowing Forum Junior Indoor Rowing Competition at Ryde

This Sunday, 10th Feb. sees the inaugural IW Rowing Forum Junior Indoor Rowing Competition at Ryde.
Is start at around 11.00am - Registration by 10.30 and is open to any under 18 boy or girl from any of the Island Rowing Clubs.

Participant will compete in age groups, by gender, competing as individuals over three events. Distance in a fixed time, Best stroke and 250m sprint.

We are also looking for "helpers" to assist with timing, recording etc.. anyone who could help would be most welcome.

First Aid Course.

Club member Tanzie Page is able to provide “in-house” First Aid Training. We ran a Basic Emergency First Aid Course last year – and if there is sufficient demand will do so again. This will be primarily aimed at Club Coaches but is open to other members.

Details - Basic emergency first aid course, 6 hour course with a hand book provided and certificate awarded, no exam just attendance required. Would probably run over three two hour or two three hour evening sessions – although another option is a 6 hour in a day course. Minimum would be 4 candidates, 6 would be best with 12 (14 at tops) a maximum number. Will offer to Newport & Shanklin if not fully taken up by RRC members. Course normally costs £90 per person + vat. Will be done for £30.00 per person including handbook & certificate. Row sub will pay 50% for Ryde candidates who are active members - subject to numbers applying.

If you are interested in this course – please contact – Steve Bull.

01983 566481; 07786 34941; stephencbull@gmail.com – or add your name to the list – on the notice board in the hall at the Clubhouse.

VESTA SCULLERS HEAD OF THE RIVER RACE. 8th DECEMBER, 2013.

Four scullers from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the 59th Vesta Rowing Club Scullers Head of the River Race, on the Thames, on Saturday (8th December) which will be the Clubs last competitive event of a very successful 2012 season.

The Vesta Scullers Head is the largest single-division processional single sculls race in the world, and is held over the 4.25 mile championship course from Mortlake to Putney. First sculled in 1954, the race will involves almost 500 scullers and attracts entries from all over the United Kingdom and the world, with standards ranging from internationals to novices.

The race was won by Britain’s 2012 Olympic Games bronze medal winner – Alan Cambell.

The best performance from a Ryde sculler came from Nick Pike racing in the Masters “D” category where he finished 266th – and 19th in his category – in a time of 23 minutes 50 seconds. Also racing in the Masters “D” category was Russell Page who finished in a time of 24 minutes 32 seconds – 28th in his category and 343rd overall.

Mick Jenner was racing in the Masters “C” category, finishing in a time of 24 minutes and 2 seconds – 21st in his category and in 300th place overall.

There was an excellent performance from the young Ryde Novice Sculler Andy Hicks, racing at this level for the first time, in the J18 category where he finished in 28th place, 343rd overall in a time of 24 minutes 32 seconds.

Finally Allan Evens, Ryde’s oldest competitor and racing in the Masters “F” category where he finished in 12th position, 425th overall in a time of 26 minutes 14 seconds.

Steve Bull.

 

Ryde Rowing Club. Performance/Branded Kit.

The Club has been consulting with our Performance/Branded Kit provider - ID Sports and Leisure Ltd/Stitch Rowing - to provide an improved service to Club members.

The range of performance/branded kit has been expanded - in addition to the Clubs Racing "All-in-one", 24/7 Softshell Splash Jacket, Dark Mornings Fleece and Cold Day Gilet we are now offering a - 24/7 Hardshell Splash Jacket, a Super Skinny Gilet and 365 Gilet - as well a as a Long and Short Sleeve Baselayer in White, a Long Sleeve Baselayer in Navy, Men's and Ladies Long and Short Sleeved Tech Top and some Leggings - some with Club branding.

While the Club will also continue to keep some items in stock - especially the Clubs racing "All-in-ones" we have also arranged for our provider to set-up a Ryde R. C on-line shop - where the items can be viewed, prices checked and orders placed. ID Sport/Stitch Rowing have advised me that single items can be ordered - and that delivery is usually four weeks - and sometimes quicker. Please check if we do have the item you require in stock before ordering - E Mail - stephencbull@googlemail.com

The web site to view and place any kit orders is - http://www.idsports.net - from the Home page "click" on to ROWING on the left hand side - which will take you to the home page for Stitch Rowing - "click" on CLUBS AND TEAMS - and then ROWING CLUBS - where you will see the link for Ryde Rowing club.

Alternatively copy and paste the link below into your browser and this should take you straight to the Ryde Rowing Club on-line shop -
http://www.idsports.net/shop/Ryde-Rowing-Club/

 

The Committee of Ryde Rowing Club are very pleased to announce that WIGHTLINK have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the Club for the 2012 Season.

We are WIGHTLINK ’s oldest and longest running sports sponsorship - and I am sure our members - and in particular the active members - appreciate how important it is to us.

They provide the Club with considerable assistance in transporting the competitors, coaches and equipment to and from the Island for mainland competition throughout the year. Their support allows the Club to compete on the mainland on a regular basis in the Hants & Dorset ARA Coastal Regatta programme during the summer months and inland in River events during the winter. Their support has been especially useful to the Clubs successful and expanding Junior Section enabling them to attend competitions and training camps on the mainland. Without Wightlink’s support all these activities would be substantially restricted.

Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries are the leading ferry operator across the Solent offering the greatest choice of routes with a fleet of eight car and passenger ferries and four high-speed foot passenger catamarans. Each year Wightlink carries in excess of 5.6 million passengers and 1.2 million vehicles across the Solent on its three routes, with more 72,000 sailings annually - up to 230 a day in peak periods. Wightlink’s sponsorship of the Ryde Club is the companies oldest sponsorship agreement - as they were the first Club sponsored by the company, formally known as Sealink following their support of the 1987 Isle of Wight hosted South Coast Rowing Championships Regatta. It is believed to be the longest running and most successful sponsorship partnerships in Coastal Rowing and one of the longest running in the sport of rowing.

Members should therefore take every opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous support that WIGHTLINK give us, to use their Services when ever possible and to avoid doing anything that might embarrass the Club or its main sponsor.