Southampton Coastal Head 26th April 08

Southampton Coastal Head 26th April 08

RYDE ROWING CLUB.

Southampton Coastal Head of the River.

Saturday, 26th April, 2008.

Mixed fortunes for Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Clubs final pre-coastal season Head Race at Southampton on Saturday.

The Clubs Senior Crew of Stu Johnson, Mike Jenner, Ben Ade and Ian Hayden, with Bryony Reeve steering, who were defending the Head title produced the fastest time of the day of eighteen minutes 9 seconds but unfortunately were disqualified following a minor course infringement even though it gave the crew no advantage. However the crew was encouraged by their fast time which indicates that the Club will still be a force to be reckoned with in Senior Rowing this season.

In contrast the Clubs Coastal Junior crew produced a fine performance finishing the race in a time of 19.13, an impressive fifty-three seconds ahead of their nearest rivals to win their section. This was all the more surprising when you consider that only Tom Clark is a Coastal Junior Oarsman - the other three - Callum Lowe, Tim Wiggins and Francis Moore being Novices - with Tim and Frances only starting rowing this season. The crew was steered by Elena Gaskin who produced a fine performance in only her third race.

The Club also had a Novice Crew competing, in their first race in a new format of Adam Edwards, Tom and James Cleary and Josh Collyer, with Bryony Reeve steering and they did well to finish in 11th place in their status in a time of 22.38.

This head race completes the pre-coastal season preparation and the Club will now be focusing their attention on the first two Hants & Championship Regattas at Ryde and Shanklin over the weekend of 24th/25th May.

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