Folkestone Rowing Club
SHOREHAM REGATTA – 14th & 15th July
A few of the hardy rowers camped over to avoid the journey home , however following a very short night under canvas and a sprinkling of rain campers they drove to Shoreham by Sea. Young Nathan unfortunately slipped at the campsite and an X-ray revealed a broken wrist. He will now have to sit and watch his fellow rowers for the remainder of the season.Although previously only a slight swell a strong south easterly breeze turned the calm sea into a frenzy of white horses.The J16 Quad Sculls saw a Dover crew borrow Mark Edgar on his 16 birthday to earn him an easy first prize.
The Senior Sculls heats were rowed and Steve Tupper qualified for the final where he gained 4th place.
The waves were proving very dangerous to launch and racing was delayed. The Veterans A crew of Simon Appleby, Matt Keller, Tim Capell and Steve Tupper with Emily Watkins coxing having slept on their demise from yesterday took an early lead and held their own to take a well deserved first place.
The next race saw Marc Alderman who enjoys the rough conditions row a skilful race. Heading to the finish line club members ran along the shoreline cheering him to his first victory.
The Mens Senior Four saw the club’s two crews once again compete with the A crew rowing a good race to take 5place. The B crew, unfortunately on outside waters lost their momentum from the previous day.
The ladies Junior crew fired up from their 2nd place at Eastbourne didn’t quite find the stroke rate but earned a good third place.
The Novice boys without their stoke man Nathan rowed with Phil Jones, with spirits dampened they rowed well to take 2nd place.
The Ladies Pair of Sophie and Isobel may have had a long wait but the conditions had improved by the end of the day and they rowed a strong race at the front of the field taking a well deserved second place.
The last race of a very long day as the tide ebbed and the sun beat down,saw the young Novice Girls crew of Emily Watkins, Lauren Williams, Lucy Weekes and Catherine Blackford coxed by Marc Alderman row a fine race to also achieve second place.
Thankfully the M25 was kind to everyone and a hassle free journey back to Sandgate was had by All.