Last Sunday (29th August) with the Hants and Dorset Regatta program for 2010
complete and a three week gap before the South Coast Rowing Championships at
Wimbleball Lake in Devon on Saturday, 11th September Ryde Rowing Club took the
opportunity to stage its Annual Sculling Races sponsored by Club Member Jack
Pike and his family.
A strong field of six Club Scullers contested the main event, a handicapped
single sculling race which was to be raced over the 1920m Ryde Regatta but this
was shortened to a 1000m straight course - and a straight final - because of the
poor conditions prevailing. Novice and J14 Sculler Sam Corney, racing in the
senior event for the first time, made the most of his handicap to take victory
over experienced Senior Sculler Nick Pike, who was chased home by another Senior
Sculler - Mick Jenner. Ben Ade finished in 4th place, with Simon Saunders in 5th
and Russell Page, who was close to sinking at the end of the race in 6th.
A handicapped sculling race - known as the "Junior Jacks" were also staged for
the Club Juniors - over a 500m straight course with four Juniors contesting the
very close race with three of them finishing within a length of each other. Max
Reeve came home first with his sister Bryony in second place and Harvey Kirkby
in 4th. Charlie Gedling had the misfortune to turn over near the finish in the
worsening conditions and was rescued by the Clubs safety boat with no ill
effects.
The Trophies were presented by June and Jack Pike, in the Clubhouse after the
racing.
photo of the two winning scullers - L to R - Sam Corney who won the Senior
event and Max Reeve who won the Junior event.
