IWRF Summer Series.

With the rowing season effectively on hold and any mainland competition not possible until the 3rd of July at the earliest rowers from across the Island took part in the first of a Series of Summer processional races on Saturday 29th May – with a 2nd event on Sunday 6th June - both held on the River Medina.

This was a joint venture between Newport, Ryde and Shanklin rowing clubs and this Covid-friendly event and saw twenty-four crews and scullers competing over two divisions over a 15000 metre course in the first event on the 29th May and twenty-nine crews competing over a 2000 metre course – again over two divisions in the 2nd event on the 6th June. In both events crews and scullers competed in a variety of river and coastal boats and in a range of combinations and ages.

Ryde’s Novice Sculler Austin Smith recorded the fastest time in the first division of the first event and paired up with his brother Joel to record the fastest time in the 2nd Division. The Ryde J16 Coxed Four achieved the 2nd fastest time in the first division of the 2nd event.

For many crews, it was their first taste of competitive racing. However, with a range of boat types and classes, the main concept of the event was to provide all crews with benchmark times from which they can improve throughout the racing series in preparation for what all the Clubs hope will be a resumption of mainland competition in early July.