Folkestone Rowing Club Folkestone Regatta 2008
What a Day !!
Watching the steadily changing forcast the week prior to the regatta gave mixed feelings to th club members as to whether the regatta would be on or cancelled for the second time. Ulrika predicting that the high pressure comming in from Mid Atlantic would prevail and the regatta go ahead. The club rowing officers, knowing how tight the season is now ready to run the regatta on the slightest chance. Friday evening came and the team met and agreed that it was a go.
The calls from the other clubs started on Saturday evening. "Is it on??" "Yes". Some had seen the inshore waters forcast on the met office. It was forcasting a SW 3-5 wind for North Forland to Selsey bill. Not a good wind for th regatta and as such asked "are you sure!!", when told it was on. However, Ulrika had seen the other forcasts ranging from NW 6mph to S 5mph.
Preperation for the regatta went smoothly with the exception of a few vehicles that wre left in the road. The light southerly breeze keeping the heat in check.
The first race of the day was the mixed J16 Quad fours.
The crews raced back from the turns with the Folkestone crew putting up a good fight comming in second to Dover.
It was a good row by Maddie, Emily, Mark, Nathan and cox: Vanessa.
Next up was the heats of the mens novice sculls. Brian Feeney just missing out on a final spot comming in fifth.
Only just having caught there breath it was time for Mark and Nathan to take part in the Novice fours. Teaming up with Tobias and Jamie they lined up with Captain Marc to guide them. Three of the crew having had a qualifying win last year, the crew were hoping that this would be the second to complete the points required to gain Junior status.
The start didnt go so well, the crew being left by a length or so. Perhaps it wasn't to be there day! Five crews in the race and Folkestone gradually moved through the field. The turn by the club captain made the difference and for it he was awarded coxswain of the day! The crew overtook Deal and finished 2 lengths in front.
Well Done the Novices - The first win of the day!!
The next Folkestone crew to go was the Junior Ladies of Lesley, Nikki, Agni, Lois and cox Emily. After last years second place at the South Coast Championships they had hopes of doing well. This was the first regatta since that race. A good fair start from the club vice-Chairman Bob saw all competitors leave the line together. Bexhill lead the race closely followed by Eastbourne with Folkestone and Herne Bay fighting it out for third. A close finosh saw Eastbourne overtake bexhill to win by a Length with Folkestone getting the third spot.
Next was the turn of our South Coast Champions for the last two years. The Veteran crew of Steve, Tim, Matt, Simon and cox Nathan took to the water. The race took three attempts to line them up before the race got underway.Folkestone led from the start with Worthing leading the other crews. Folkestone winningthe race by about 3 lengths to take there second win of the season and back into a lead in the championship race.
It was then time for Captain Marc to take to the water to row rather than cox. As always the junior sculls is a hotly contested race. A close start with Marc in contention with the leaders. Marc returned third behind two Bexhill scullers. So far two wins and two thirds - not a bad start!
The light Southerly breeze continued giving good conditions for the regatta. No issues had arisen and the regatta was running to a reasonable schedule. Rowing Secretary Sally doing a great job keeping the race programme up to date.
It was now time for Sally and daughter Sophie to take to the water in the Senior Ladies Pairs. They have little opertunity to train together with Sophie being at university but always seem to work well together in a pair.
The start saw them in a mid race position from which they improved taking the turn in contention with the leaders.
The race back from the turns saw Shoreham A take a lead followed by Folkestone and Shoreham B crew fighting for second place. Folkestone just missing out finishing in third.
Ladies single sculls is a new event to the CARA racing calendar. Although not a Championship race the association has agreed to run the event at there regattas at the request of the Ladies within the region.
Emily took up the challange for Folkestone against four other contenders. All of who have been rowing longer. Emily did well sculling technically well. Well done Emily!!
Men's Senior Sculls:Marc, Junior Men's Fours: Jamie, Matt, Mark, Nathan and cox Vanessa, Junior Men's Pairs: Jamie and Pete
Senior Ladies Fours: Ladies A - Maddie, Jenna, Sophie, Sally and cox Marc and Ladies B - Lesley, Nikki, Aggie, Lois
