RYDE ROWING CLUB AT SOUTHAMPTON HEAD OF THE RIVER RACE, SATURDAY, 25th MARCH 2023.
/RYDE ROWING CLUB AT SOUTHAMPTON HEAD OF THE RIVER RACE, SATURDAY, 25th MARCH 2023.
In rough and blustery conditions Ryde Rowing Club competed at the Southampton Rowing Club Head Race on Saturday (25th March 2023) continuing their preparation for the 2023 Hants & Dorset ARA Regatta season which starts on the 29th of April. The Southampton Head Race is staged over a 5000-metre course on the River Itchen, Southampton, in two divisions for Coastal Coxed Fours and Quads and Coxless Pairs and doubles for both men and women.
The Wightlink sponsored Club had a Mens’ Coastal Junior Four and a Ladies Coastal Junior coxless pair racing in the first division and a Mens’ Coastal Novice Four and a Men's coxless Coastal Junior Pair racing in the 2nd Division.
The Men's Coastal Junior Four of Matt Chalmers, Alfie Scott – racing for the first time for the Club following his move from Shoreham, Will Hall and Paddy Kearney with Mai Mackay coxing had a very encouraging row finishing 2nd in their section behind host Club Southampton in a time of 21 minutes13 seconds. The coastal Junior Ladies coxless pair – of Niamh Hope and Chloe Hughes - racing above their status – in difficult conditions – finished 4th in their section in a time of 33 minutes. Club Coxswain – Jo Bird also coxed a Southsea Coastal Junior Senior Four in the first division who finished 2nd in their section.
In the second divisions – where the conditions were marginally better – the Men’s Coastal Junior Coxless Pair of Paddy Kearney and Will Hall finished 3rd in their section in a time of 22 minutes 20 seconds and the Men’s Novice Coastal Four of Dan Sanderson, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts, and Lars Groothuis with Jo Bird coxing continued their progress finishing 3rd in their section in a time of 21 minutes 11 seconds.
