Southampton Coalporters Regatta. 19th July 2025. (Three Boat Racing).

Southampton Coalporters Regatta. 19th July 2025. (Three Boat Racing).

Crews and Scullers from Ryde Rowing Club competed at the Southampton Coalporters Rowing Club Regatta on Saturday (19th July) on the River Itchen in Southampton over a 1500 metre course, with a racing turn and with a maximum of three boat racing so most events involved heats, semi-finals and a final.

The highlight of the day for the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Club came from the Women’s Coastal Junior Four of Emily Kellerman, Abi Locke, Alexis Owen and Eva Gordon with Ruby Read coxing – who finished 1st in their Semi-Final and went on to win the Final quite convincingly – to take their Hants & Dorset ARA Championship points tally to five.

In the Open Junior Senior Fours there was a good performance from the Ryde Crew of Will Hall, Paddy Kearney ,Charlie Watts and Issac Gibson with Mai Read Coxing who finished a close 2nd in their Final.

There was another good performance from the young Ryde Coastal Junior Four of Lars Groothuis, Ben Robotham, Cameron D’Arcy and Lukas Georgiou with Harry Watts coxing. They finished 1st in heat, following an excellent racing turn from young Harry Watts – and were placed 3rd in the Final.

The Clubs Women’s Novice Four of Niamh Murphy, Demi Cranham Read, Carla Jenkins with Georgia Cask from Poole and  Ruby Read coxing once again finished 2nd in their heat –  just failing to make the Final.

The Open Coastal Junior Pair of Max Locke and Joe Bird came a close 2nd in their heat – also failing to make the Final.

In the single sculling events Paddy Kearney, sculling above his status in the Open Senior Sculls finished 3rd in his final and Stella Baisley, who was also sculling above her status, also finished 3rd in her final.

The Ryde Club’s Max Locke raced in a Composite crew in the Open Novice Fours with three oarsmen from Poole – who finished 2nd in their heat.

Finally, the young Ryde Coxswain – Harry Watts – was awarded the Cox of the Day award.

Milford-on-Sea/Lymington Regatta. Saturday, 12th July 2025.

Milford-on-Sea/Lymington Regatta. Saturday, 12th July 2025.

A strong contingent of - six fours’ crews, four pairs/doubles and two single scullers from the Wightlink Sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at Lymington Regatta on Saturday (12th July 2025) which is held at Milford-on-Sea, overlooking the Needles where the conditions were calm and it was very hot!

In the Open Junior Senior Fours, the Ryde Club had two crews competing – the “A” crew of - Will Hall, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts and Charlie Watts with Mai Reed Coxing raced well to finish in 2nd place in the Final while the “B” crew – in their first outing of the year - of Isaac Gibson, Cameron Darcy, Ben Robotham and Yogi Ashworth with Harry Watts coxing finished in 3rd place.

The Open Junior Four of  Cameron D’Arcy, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth and  Joe Bird with Harry Watts coxing were well placed at the turn in their Final but unfortunately there was an incident at the turn which led to the crew’s disqualification.

In the Women’s Junior Fours event the Ryde crew of Abi Locke, Fiona Owen, Alexis Owen and  Emily Kellerman with Ruby Reed Coxing finished 2nd in their heat to reach the final where they went one better securing a win and gaining another Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Championship point.

The Club’s Women’s Novice Ladies four of Niamh Murphy, Clara Jenkins, Demi Cranham-Ede, and  Lorna Worthington with Mai Reed coxing finished 6th in their Final.

The J16 Boys Coxed Quad of Cameron D’Arcy, Joe Bird, Max Locke and Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing finished a slightly disappointing 7th in their final .

The Women’s Senior Pair of  Stella Baisley and Lisa Murphy finished 5th in the Final and went on to compete in the Women’s Double Sculls where they finished 3rd.

However, in the J16 Boys Double Sculls Max Locke and Joe Bird raced exceptionally well to win their event fairly convincingly.

The Club also had a Girls Double Scull competing of Eve Gordon and Alexis Owen who finished in 4th place in their Final.

The Ryde Club also had two Novice Single Scullers competing – Isaac Gibson in the Men’s Event – who finished 3rd in his heat to qualify for the Final where he also finished in 3rd place and in the Women’s Event – Stella Baisley who finished 4th in her final.

Swanage Regatta. Saturday, 5th July 2025.

Swanage Regatta. 5th July 2025.

Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink had six fours and a Novice sculler competing at Swanage Regatta on Saturday (5th July 2025).

Once again Swanage proved to be one of the most popular events in the Hants & Dorset ARA fixture list with a near record entry of 141 crews and scullers that required fifty races to complete the program. The regatta is staged over a 1500m course, with a racing turn, in Swanage Bay. With no Hants & Dorset ARA Club in Swanage the Regatta is organised by volunteers from the nearly all the Associations Clubs with Ryde playing their part by providing all the packed lunches for the Race Officials as well as the Regatta coordinator Steve Bull and a Race Official - Mick Jenner.

In the Open Junior Senior Fours, the Ryde Crew of Will Hall, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing rowed well to finish in second place in the Final.

The Ryde Crew in the Open Coastal Junior Fours – of Ben Robotham, Joe Bird, Yogi Ashworth, Cameron D’Arcy with Mai Reed Coxing finished sixth in their heat – failing to make the final.

The Ryde Club had two crews in the Women’s Coxed Fours – the “B” crew of Eva Gordon, Carla Jenkins, Maggie Sanderson, and Demi Cranham-Ede with Mai Reed Coxing once again finished. Fifth in their heat failing to make the final. But the “A” Crew of Abi Locke, Fiona Owen, Alexis Owen, and Emily Kellerman with Ruby Reed Coxing finished first in heat – but will be slightly disappointed to only have finished in third place in the Final in a close race. 

The Club also had a Women’s Masters crew racing consisting of - Fiona Owen, Abi Locke, Maggie Sanderson, and  Lisa Murphy with Ruby Read coxing once again who rowed really well to finish in third place in the Final.

The Clubs Open J16 Coxed Quad of Cameron D’Arcy, Charlie Watts, Joe Bird, and Max Locke. With Harry Watts finished second in their heat to make the final where they finished in fourth place.

The Clubs Novice Sculler – Isaac Gibson – finished third in his heat just failing to make the final.

The Club also formed a composite Open Novice Four with Poole Rowing Club with Max Locke competing in the boat who made the final finishing 5th and Eva Gordon competed in a Ryde/Shanklin composite crews in the Women’s J16 Coxed who finished third in their heat to make the final where they also finished in fifth place.

Southsea Regatta, Saturday 28th June 2025.

Southsea Regatta. Saturday, 28th June 2025.

Eleven Crews and Scullers from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at the largest one day regatta in the country – Southsea Regatta - on Saturday (28th June) in blustery conditions that severally tested all the crews and scullers competing. The Ryde Club had six fours’ crews, two coxless pairs, two single scullers and a double scull competing – one of their largest entries of the season to date.

Southsea Regatta is the only Regatta in the Hants & Dorset ARA Season where crews and Scullers from both the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association and the Coast ARA (Kent and Sussex)  meet each other before the South Coast Rowing Championships held in September each year and scheduled to be hosted by Plymouth Rowing Club in 2025.

In the Open Junior Senior Fours, the Ryde crew of Will Hall, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts with Mai Read coxing rowed well finishing 2nd in Final to an Itchen crew who had the advantage of an inside draw.

In the Open Men’s Coastal Junior Fours, the Ryde Crew of Ben Robotham, Lucas Georgiou, Yogi Ashworth and Lars Groothuis with Harry Watts coxing finished 5Th in their heat failing to make the final and the Open Novice Four of Cameron D’Arcy, Lucas Georgiou, Reuben Rook and Max Locke with Harry Watts coxing once again rowed exceptionally well in their heat to finish in 1st place but found the going in the final a little tougher – finishing in 4th place.

The Club had two Women’s Coastal Junior Fours competing the B crew of Demi Cranham Ede, Maggie Sanderson, Eva Gordon and Lorna Worthington, with Harry Watts coxing once again found the going quite difficult finishing 10th in their heat. The Clubs A Crew of Abi Locke, Fiona Owen, Alexis Owen and Emily Kellerman with Ruby Read coxing finished 2nd in the heat gaining a place in the final where they finished 2nd to the Coast Club Shoreham – but gained the Hants & Dorset ARA Championship point as the first Association Club to finish adding to the two points, they have already won this season.

The final Ryde Fours crew was a Boys J16 Coxed Quad of Max Locke, Charlie Watts, Cameron D’Arcy and Reuben Rook with Mai Read coxing who raced really well to finish in 2nd place.

Isaac Gibson & Ben Robotham competed in the Open Double Sculls event finishing 11th in the Final and Isaac went on to compete in the Open Novice Sculls where he sculled really well to finish 2nd in his heat to gain a place in the final where he finished in a very creditable 3rd place.

The Ladies Senior Pair of Lisa Murphy and Stella Baisley finished 5th in their final – Stella going on to compete in the Women’s Novice Sculls event finishing in 4th.

There was a bit of a disaster for the Open Coastal Junior coxless Pairs  race where the Ryde crew of Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth capsized after the turn in the rough conditions and failed to finish the race.

CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. Saturday 7th June 2025. (Two boat racing)

CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. Saturday 17th June 2025. (Two boat racing)

Five Coxed Fours crews from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at the Christchurch Rowing Club Regatta on the River Stour on Saturday (7th June). Christchurch Regatta is limited to coxed fours events and can only support two boat racing on the narrow river so the fours crews have to fight their way through a number of rounds to reach the two boat finals.

The outstanding performance of the day for the Ryde Club came from their Open Junior Senior Four of Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts, Paddy Kearney and Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing who won their semi-final, after the race was stopped and a re-row ordered and went on to win the Final fairly comfortably.

The Clubs Women’s Senior Four of  Lisa Murphy, Maggie Sanderson, Stella Baisley, Mai Read and coxed by Ruby Reed lost out in the Semi-final  the same fate befalling the Clubs Open Coastal Junior Four of Cameron D’Arcy, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis with Mai Read coxing who also lost out in the semi-final of their event.

The Club had two coastal Women’s Junior Fours competing – the B Crew of Demi Cranham-Ede, Carla Jenkins, Maggie Sanderson and Amy Nicholls-Taylor with Ruby Read coxing who lost out in the heat but the A Crew of Abi Locke, Fiona Owen, Alexis Owen and Emily Kellerman also coxed by Ruby Read fought their way through several rounds to reach the final where they were narrowly beaten into 2nd place. 

Ryde Regatta. 11th May 2025. A thank you.

Ryde Regatta 2025 – a Thank-you.                                                   

On behalf of the Officers, Committee and Regatta Committee of Ryde Rowing Club can I thank you all for your help at the recent Ryde Club Regatta – which was successfully completed on Sunday 11th May 2025 – although  the conditions were challenging and we were forced to abandon all the small boat events.

Without the help of many of our members and supporters with the tasks required over the regatta weekend and the generous donation of a stunning array of cakes and other items - we would clearly struggle to run such a successful and popular event.  I am sure you will be pleased to hear that the Regatta was a great success both on and off the water despite the cancellation of all the small boat events and that several Clubs commented on how much they enjoyed the Ryde event and how they feel that it is the best Regatta in the Hants & Dorset Calendar.

The Regatta has also been a financial success.

Again, my thanks for your help and I hope we can rely on you again next year.

Steve Bull,

Regatta Secretary.

Poole Regatta. Saturday 17th May 2025.

Poole Regatta. Saturday 17th May 2025.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at Poole Regatta on Saturday (17th May 2025) and had a reasonably successful day.

Pride of place went to the Women Coastal Four of Eva Gordon, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman, Fiona Owen with Ruby Reed coxing who finished 2nd in their heat and went on to win the final claiming their 2nd Hants & Dorset Championship point of the season following their win at Ryde the previous week.

Further success came for the J16 Boys Coxed Quad of Joe Bird. Charlie Watts, Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke with Harry Watts coxing who also won their race.

The Clubs Open Junior Senior Coxed Four of Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts, Ben Sanderson and Yogi Ashworth with Mai Reed coxing finished 3rd in their final.

The Club also had an Open Coastal Junior Four competing consisting of Cameron Darcy, Yogi Ashworth, Ben Robotham and Joe Bird with Ruby Reed coxing once again who finished 4th in their Final.

In the small bota events the J16 Boys Double of  Max Locke and  Joe Bird were pipped on the line to finish 2nd behind host Club Poole in one of the closest races of the day.

In the Open Coastal Junior Pairs Yogi Ashworth and Ben Robotham finished in  6th place in the Final and the Women’s Junior Pair of Alexia Owen and Emily Kellerman also finished in 6th place.

In the single sculling events Charlie Watts won the Boys J16 Single Sculls quite comfortably. Ben Sanderson finished 6th in the Open Coastal Junior Sculls event. Isaac Gibson sculled really well to finish 2nd in his heat gaining a place in the final where he finished 5th and in the Women’s Novice Scull event Stella Baisley finished 4th in her heat.

Finally Ruby Read was the Regatta’s cox of the day for her performance coxing Ryde’s Open Junior Coxed Four and Women’s Coxed Four.

Junior Inter Regionals.

Six Junior Members of Ryde Rowing Club travelled to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham on Saturday (26th April) to represent the Wessex region at the Junior Inter Regional Regatta, joining another eight juniors from Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club – the Island Clubs making a major contribution to Wessex Team and the strongest group of oarsman and women from Ryde to qualify for the Wessex Team for several years. 2025 saw a record number of juniors competing, with Thames London West making their debut appearance and bringing the total number of regions represented to 14 across the UK.

The Wessex Team had a boat in every class this year and whilst their results overall showed only a slight improvement, there was much more cohesion and team spirit, which they can now build on. They finished 12th overall, with the boy’s 9th, up one place, the girls 13th, also up one place.

Ryde’s Alexis Owen paired up with Molly-Cartwright Tickle from Bournemouth Collegiate School, and Ryde’s Charlie Watts competed in the J16 Boys Single Sculls. Both crews finished a credible 5th position in the B Final amongst some very tough competition.

Ryde’s Eva Gordon joined Shanklin’s Lottie Pettitt to be part of a composite Wessex eight that finished 2nd in the C final, another good result considering the crew only got together for the event on the day.

Ryde also had two members Cameron D’Arcy and Max Locke with Harry Watts coxing who joined two Junior Members of Shanklin Rowing Club to form an Open J16 4+ finished 5th in the B Final.

Isle of Wight Rowing Regattas. Saturday 10th May – Shanklin – and Sunday 11th May – Ryde.

Isle of Wight Rowing Regattas. Saturday 10th May – Shanklin – and Sunday 11th May – Ryde.

The Isle of Wight Rowing Regattas took place over the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11th May 2025 with Shanklin Rowing Club hosting the Saturday Regatta and Ryde Rowing Club hosting the event on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the weather was an issue for both events with Shanklin only managing to stage around four events before their Regatta had to be abandoned. Conditions had improved slightly by the time Ryde Regatta took place, from their Appley Park Clubhouse on the Sunday and they were able to complete all the fours events but all the small boat event had to be cancelled.

At Shanklin the Ryde Club managed to boat two fours and one sculler before the Regatta was cancelled. A Boys open J16 quad consisting of Max Locke, Joe Bird, Cameron Darcy and Reuben Rook with Dexter Robinson coxing coped well in the difficult conditions to Finnish in 4th place.

Dale Buckett then took to the water in the Senior Single Sculls and considering he does most of his racing on the river did well to finish in 3rd place.

The final Ryde Crew to get afloat was in the Open Junior Coastal Fours – the crew consisting of Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Joe Bird and Ben Robotham with Ruby Reed coxing again and they raced well to finish in 3rd place.

On the Sunday Ryde hosted their Championship Regatta and the conditions were slightly better and the Club was able to stage all the fours events although the small boat racing – pairs and scull – were all lost to the conditions.

The best performance of the day for the Ryde Club came from their Women’s Junior Coastal Four where the Ryde Crew of Alexis Owen, Abi Locke, Fiona Owen and Emily Kellerman coxed by Ruby Reed who won the race in challenging conditions.

In the Open Senior Four event the Ryde Crew of Isaac Gibson, Ben Sanderson, Dale Buckett and Charlie Watts with Mai Reed coxing finished in 4th place.

The Open Junior Senior Fours the crew of Isaac Gibson, Paddy Kearney Joe Roberts and Charlie Watts finished in 3rd place.

In the Open Coastal Junior Fours event the Ryde crew of Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Ben Robotham and Joe Bird with Ruby Reed coxing once again rowed really well to finish in as runners-up.

The Open Novice Four of Lucas Georgiou, Max Locke, Cameron D’Arcy and Reuben Rook, coxed by Harry Watts also rowed well in the difficult conditions to finish in 2nd place.

The Women’s Coastal Novice Four of Demi Cranham-Ede, Eva Gordon, Niamh Murphy and Carla Jenkins coxed by Harry Watts – racing for the first time in  their First Hants & Dorset ARA Event raced really well to also finish in 2nd place.

Finally, the Clubs Women’s Masters Four of Abi Locke, Lisa Murphy, Maggie Sanderson and Amy Nichols Taylor finished in 3rd place.

The other results from the Ryde Regatta were as follows – Open Senior Fours – 1st BTC, 2nd Itchen Imperial 3rd Poole: Open Junior Senior Fours – 1st Itchen, 2nd Southampton, 3rd Ryde: The Open Junior Fours – 1st Southampton, 2nd Ryde, 3rd Newport: Open Novice Fours- Southsea, Ryde, 3rd Shanklin: Women’s Senior Fours – 1st Southampton, 2nd BTC: Women’s Junior Fours – 1st Ryde, 2nd BTC, 3rd Southampton: Women’s Novice Fours – 1st BTC, 2nd Ryde, Newport: Open Masters A/40 Fours – 1st BTC A, 2nd BTC B, 3rd Southampton: Open Masters B/50 Fours. 1st BTC, 2nd Poole: Women’s Masters Fours – 1st Coalporters, 2nd Poole, 3rd Ryde.

Ryde Rowing Club would like to acknowledge the support of the IW Council and Ryde Town Council plus the main sponsor TLM Laser and event sponsors DIGS Michael Jenner, Wightlink, Spinlock, Appley Manor Hotel, JPR Combustions Ltd, Neaves Rowing Fittings, Tommy Clark – Tree work – Landscaping – Fencing, Ward House Mortgages & Life, Yorkshire Building Society Wight Materials Handling, Ryde Harriers and Harwoods Garage as well as personal sponsorship from Steve Cook, Club President and Vice President Matt Smith.

BTC Spring Head and Junior Inter Regional Trails. Saturday, 29th March 2025

Saturday saw the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club compete in the BTC spring head on the Itchen river in Southampton over a  4.5k course in two divisions.

In division one Ryde entered a Junior Senior crew comprising of Issac Gibson, Joe Roberts, Paddy Kearney and Charlie Watts and coxed by Mai Read. They had an encouraging race coming a close 2nd to a crew from a status above.

Next was a Coastal Junior crew of Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Lukas Georgiou, and Ben Robotham with Ruby Read coxing. This was their 1st taste of racing this season after an equipment malfunction last time. In a strong field they came an excellent 3rd which bodes well for the Regatta season.

Highlight of the day for the club was the J16 double scull of Max Locke and Joe Bird won raced superbly to win their section.

In Division two the Club had 2 crews - a J16 coxed quad of Reuben Rook, Charlie Watts, Joe Bird and Max Locke coxed by Harry Watts. They also won their status against limited competition but still raced really well.

A Junior pair of Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth raced in a competitive section where a 3rd place behind Newport was an excellent result for them and is encouraging for the season.

Also, on Saturday one of the Clubs J16 Girls, Alexis Owen was involved in trials for Regional representation at the prestigious Junior Inter Regional Regatta in Nottingham on Saturday 26th April. Alexis and her partner rowing as a composite crew in a borrowed double scull and with no time together to practice won through a very hard fought row off  after a re-row to gain place in the team. She joins Ryde Club member Charlie Watts – who has been selected for the team in the J16 Boys Single sculls  - to give the club two members representing the region. 

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial – 2nd March.

The final Time Trial of the winter took place last Sunday in perfect early spring conditions. It was good to see crews that performed well in the earlier events carrying through their consistency to this latest test.  In Division 1, rowing the longer 3450m course against the tide, there was another strong performance from Simon Nevitt from Shanklin, with a percentage of gold medal time (GMT) of 65%.  Newport's Men's Junior 4 crew had the fastest time in the Division of 15.47, being 64% of GMT.

Division 2, over the shorter 1750m course, was rowed with the tide, which produced faster overall times. The young scullers from Ryde (Charlie Watts U16) and Shanklin (Connie Batley-Smith U14) replicated their performances from the February trial and again had the best percentage of GMT at 75% and 74% respectively. The Newport Junior Men's crew also had the fastest time in the Division of 7.06, but close behind them were the Ryde U16 4 with a time of 7.10. 

The island clubs are now looking forward to larger competitions later this month in Southampton, where they can test the success of their winter training against wider competition.  

Ryde Results – Div 1. (3,400m). C.Op.Junior Senior.4+. 1st. C.Op.Junior.4+.2nd. Mens Op.Junior.4+.3rd. C.W.Novice.2x.1st. Div 2. (1,750m) - C.Op.Junior.2-.1st. W.J16.1x.1st. C.Op.Mixed.4+.1st. C.W.MasC.4+.1st. C.Op.Junior.2-.1st. C.Op.Senior.2-.1st. Op.J16.1x.1st. Op.J16.4+.1st.

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial - 1st February.

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial - 1st February.

The three island rowing clubs combined to run the first time trial on the River Medina of 2025. The calm conditions were perfect for rowing. Division 1, over the 3400m distance, was rowed against the tide. The fastest men’s time of the day of 15.34 min came from the Newport coxless four.  The best performance across the men’s crews, in terms of percentage of gold medal standard came from Ryde’s coxed four, at 64%, just beating the Newport crew by 1%. Newport’s Novice Women were the quickest women’s crew in a time of 18.30.

Division 2 was rowed with the tide, and over the shorter 1750m distance. The fastest men’s time of the day was posted by Ryde’s J16 youngsters rowing a coxed quad in a time of 6.44min. The fastest women’s crew was Shanklin Masters rowing a coastal four in a time of 7.14. The best performance of the day in terms of percentage of gold medal pace went to Charlie Watts of Ryde, who sculled the second division course in 6.52 min, being 82% of gold medal standard. Other outstanding sculling performances came from Shanklin Masters sculler Simon Nevitt, who achieved 78% of gold medal pace, and Chloe Batley-Smith, a J14 sculler, who achieved 79% of gold medal pace.

Ryde Results – Div 1. (3,400m). C.W. Junior 4+. 1st. C.W. MasC. 4+. 1st.. Op.Junior Senior 4+. 1st..Op.Junior 4+. 1st. Op.Novice 4+. 1st..

Div 2. (1,750m). C.Op.Junior.2-. 2nd. C.Op.Novice.(Roberts). 1x. 1st. C.Op.Novice.(Kearney). 1x. 2nd. C.W.Novice 4+.2nd. Op.J16.4x+.1st. Op.J18.4+.1st. Op.Novice.1x.(Watts).1st. Op.Novice.1x.(Georgiou).2nd. W.Novice.2x.1st. W.Senior.4+.1st

Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race, Saturday, 15th March 2025.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the first Hants & Dorset ARA Fixture of the season on Saturday (March 15th) – the Southampton Head of the River Race, a processional race, in two divisions, over approx. 4,300m on the River Itchen in Southampton.

In Division One the Clubs Junior-Senior Four of Isaac Gibson, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts and Mai Read coxing rowed well  to finish 2nd in their section. There was disappointment for the Clubs Coastal Junior A Crew of Lucas Georgiou, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis with Ruby Read coxing who suffered from a broken seat and did not finish the race but the Coastal Junior B Crew of Joe Bird, Cameron D’Arcy, Ruben Rook, Max Locke and  Harry Watts coxing finished 9th in this section. The final crew from Ryde racing in Division one as a women’s double scull Emily Kellerman and Alexia Owen who raced really well to finish 3rd in their section against older and more experienced competition.

In the second division a mixed coxed four of Eva Gordon, Isaac Gibson, Camern Darcy and , Fiona Owen with Harry Watts coxing again finished 1st in their section. The Club had two open coxless pairs racing in this division – the A Crew of Paddy Kearney and Joe Roberts finishing in 5th place and the B Crew of Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth finishing in 7th place. The final Ryde “crew” in the division was Charlie Watts a J16 sculler who finished 3rd in the section behind two Senior Oarsman from the Coast Amateur Rowing Association.

Ryde Rowing Club Christmas Row.

Around thirty active members of the Wightlink Sponsored Ryde Rowing Club were involved in a Christmas row on the River Medina on Saturday 28th December 2024. A mix of Club members - old and new, male and female spanning a range of ages took to the water in a range of coastal and River Fours in ideal conditions. 

The club would like to acknowledge and thank the management and staff of the Folly Inn for their support and cooperation during the session where we boated from the slipway next to the Public House.

IWRF Time Trial. Saturday, 30th November 2024.

IWRF Time Trial. Saturday, 30th November 2024.

Newport Rowing Club hosted the first of the Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time Trials of the winter on Saturday 30th November 2024. Raced over two division on the River Medina – the First Division was over a distance of 3,400m and the 2nd Division over a shorter 1,750m course. Both races were processional with crews and scullers racing in various and categories for both males and females – with some crews mixed.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde had four crews competing in the First division and recorded three category wins – and in the 2nd division the Ryde Club had five crews and three single scullers and recorded six category wins.

Ryde Results –

Division 1. 3,400m.

Open Junior Senior 4+. Isaac Gibson, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts, Harry Watts (Cox). 14:02.17. 1st In section. Fastest Boat in Division.

Open Junior 4+. Lukas Georgiou, Ben Robotham, Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Ruby Read (Cox). 15:12.35. 1st in Section.

Men’s Novice 4+. Cameron D’Arcy, Finn Diffey, Freddie Hayler, Max Locke, Dexter Robson (Cox). 15:49.43. 1st in Section.

Woman’s J18. 2x. Emily Kellerman, Mai Read. 18:50.33. 1st in Section.

Division 2. 1,750m.

Coastal Junior 2-. Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis. 08:05.48. 1st in Section.

Coastal Novice. Single Scull. A. Lucas Georgiou. 08:11.70. 1st in Section.

B. Lars Groothuis. 08:44.62. 2nd in Section.

Coastal Women’s Novice 4+. Megan Bradley, Amy Nicholls-Taylor, Carla Jenkins, Fiona Owen. Graham Reeve (Cox). 09:56.24. 2nd in Section.

Open J15 2x. Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke. 07:42.20. 1st in Section.

Open J18 2x. Finn Diffey, Ben Robotham. 07:41.95. 1st in Section.

Open J18 Mixed 4+. Eva Freddie Hayler, Isaac Gibson, Emily Kellerman, Rosie Morris (Cox). 07:32.22. 1st in Section.

Open Novice Single Scull. Joe Roberts. 07:15.77. 1st in Section.

Did not start – Open Novice Single Scull. B. Paddy Kearney and Women’s J16 Sigle Scull. Mai Read.

Ryde R. C. Annual General Meeting, Friday 15th November and Awards Night, Saturday, 23rd November 2024.

Ryde R. C. Annual General Meeting, Friday 15th November and Awards Night, Saturday, 23rd November 2024.

AGM

Ryde Rowing Club held their Annual General Meeting at their Appley Park Clubhouse on Friday, 15th November 2024. Following a report on the year by the Club Secretary Darrell Reeve and the Financial report by Financial Secretary Dave Redstone the annual election of Executive Officers, General Committee and the Bar Committee took place.

Steve Cook was re-elected Club President, Paddy Kearney was elected Club Captain replacing Ben Sanderson who stepped down with Isaac Gibson replacing Paddy Kernary as Vice/Rowing Captain. Dave Redstone stood down as  Financial Secretary and was replaced by Abi Locke and Darrell Reeve was re-elected Club Secretary with Chris Groves re-elected as the Assistant Secretary.

Members of the General Committee were then elected with – Steve Bull, Jo Smith, Jo Gibson and Dave Redstone elected to serve until November 2026  joining Stephanie Hickman, Josie Bull, Peter Gibson and Miles Watts who were already serving until November 2025. Finally, the Bar Committee was elected – with Steve Bull as Chairman, Dave Redstone as Bar Manager, Josie Bull as Assistant Bar Manager and Chris Groves as Secretary with a Committee member remaining vacant.

A small adjustment to the Club's rates of subscription were then agreed and new rules on the Clubs privacy policies agreed. 

Awards Night.

On Saturday (23rd November 2024) the Club held its Annual Presentation of Awards with over seventy members and guests in attendance at their Appley Park Clubhouse. After the newly elected Club Captain Paddy Kearney had welcomed everyone the Event organiser – Jo Gibson – thanked the Clubs main sponsors – Wightlink - and then presented a summary of the Clubs activities in 2024 - helped by a number of the Clubs Junior oarsmen and women, which included reporting on the thirty-three wins in Hants & Dorset ARA events and twenty-two 2nd places including the Open Mens Junior Senior Fours at the South Coast Championship Regatta in September. During the season their were wins for the Club at Mens Coastal Junior Fours, Mens Novice Coastal Fours, Ladies Novice Coastal Fours, Open Mens River Coxed Four, Open Novice River Coxed Four, Women's Masters Coxed Four, Open Double Sculls, Open Single Sculls, Boys J16 Coxed Quads, Boys J16 River Four, Girls J16 Coxed Quad, J18 Coastal Double, Boys J16 River Double, Boys J16 River Single and J15 Single Sculls.

The Club's retiring Captain Ben Sanderson and new Captain Paddy Kearney then presented the Club Awards – with Traditional “First H&D ARA Rowing Win for Club” Spoons to – Maggie Sanderson, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman, Mai Read, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Joe Roberts, Joe Bird and Lottie Pettitt. The 1st Year Oars lady Award went to  Emily Kellerman and and the 1st Year Oarsman to  Finn Diffey. The Coxswain’s Cup was awarded jointly to Harry Watts and Ruby Reid. The Oars lady of the Year Trophy was presented to  Alexis Owen    and the Oarsman of the year to Joe Roberts. The Coach’s Cup was awarded to Joe Bird. The Committee Cup was presented to Ben Rowbotham with the Captains Cup going to Maggie Sanderson and the Cadet Rep Trophy to Lars Groothuis.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Regatta. Shanklin Rowing Club. Sunday, 17th November 2024.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Regatta. Shanklin Rowing Club. Sunday, 17th November 2024.

Senior & Junior Members of the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Isle of Wight Forum Indoor Rowing Championships hosted by Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club on Sunday, 17th November 2024. Ryde members competed in the following events - Year 7 Boys – over 2 mins, Year 8 Boys – over 3 mins, Year 10 Boys – over 5 mins, Year 11 Girls – over 6 mins, Year 11 Boys – over 6 mins, Year 12 Girls – over 2000m, Year 12 Boys over 2000m, Year 13 Boys – over 2000m, Male Adults – over 2000m and Female Masters – over 2000m. Ryde members had wins at Boys year 13 - Joe Roberts, Boys Year 12 – Isaac Gibson, Female Masters – Fiona Owen, Year 10 Boys – Cameron D’Arcy, Year 11 Girls – Alexis Owen and Year 11 boys – Charlie Watts. They also came first in the adult’s relay and 2nd in the Junior Relay.

Ryde Results –

Girls 2K – Adults and Year 12/13.

Emily Kellerman. 3rd. 8.38.9

Boys Year 13. 2000m

Joe Roberts. 1st. 6.50.0

Ben Robotham. 2nd. 8.02.4

Boys Year 12. 2000m.

Isaac Gibson. 1st. 6.57.4

Lars Groothuis. 3rd. 7.18.8

Lukas Georgiou. 4th. 7.21.1

Masters and Male Adults.

Paddy Kearney. 3rd. 7.11.5

Female Masters.

Fiona Owen. 1st. 7.47.5

Year 10 Boys. 5 mins.

Cameron D’Arcy. 1st. 1381m

Joe Bird.  2nd. 1328m.

Max Locke. 4th. 1308m

Year 11 Girls.

Alexis Owen. 1st. 1479m.

Year 11 Boys.

Charlie Watts. 1st 1755m

Finn Diffey. 2nd. 1624m

Year 8 Boys.

Dexter Robson. 2nd. 699m

Harry Watts. 3rd. 691m

Adults Relay.

RRC. 1st. 10.29.

Junior Relay.

RRC.  2nd. 6.58.3

Dorney Lake Training Day, Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Dorney Lake Training Day, Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Eight of Ryde J16 oarsmen/women attended a Training day at the 2000 Olympic Venue of Dorney Lake, Eton, on Wednesday 30th October. They had two sessions on the Lake in Single Sculls and doubles as part of preparation for and possible inclusion in the 2025 GB Inter Regionals Regatta Team representing the Wessex Regional Rowing Council. The Ryde oarsman/women involved were Joe Bird, Emily Kelleramn, Max Locke, Cameron D’Arcy, Fin Diffey, Mai Read and Charlie watts with Miles Watts, Ruby Reid and Harry Watts providing support and Wightlink providing cross solent travel for the Clubs Minibus and Trailer.

Newport Head of the Medina. Saturday, 5th October 2024.

Newport Head of the Medina. Saturday, 5th October 2024.

Saturday saw Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club enter its first Head Race of the winter season. The Head of the River Medina is a 3.5k processional race hosted by Newport Rowing Club. The race began at Newport Rowing Club and headed towards Cowes finishing near Kingston Marina. The race attracted a good level of entries in many categories and was well supported by mainland crews from Poole and Southampton Rowing Clubs. The day was bright and sunny if a bit windy which made conditions challenging for the entrants.

In Division one there were mainly smaller type boats with single sculls and pairs/doubles entered. Ryde Crews and Scullers performed well. Ryde had six scullers competing in the Open Single sculls with Charlie Watts winning the section, Joe Robers finishing 2nd, Isaac Gibson, 4th, Lars Groothuis 5th, Ben Robotham 6th and Paddy Kearney 8th. Joe Bird and Max Locke competing in an Open Double Scull also finished 1st in their section. Another section winner came from Ryde’s J16 Coxed Four of Ruben Rook, Locas Georgiou, Cameon D’Arcy, Fin Diffey and coxed by Dexter Robson. Alan Evans competed in the Open Coastal Masters C. Single Scull where he finished 2nd in his section with a similar result for a Women’s Coastal Coxless Pair of Mai Read & Emily Kellerman who also finished 2nd in their section. Finally in Division one was a newly formed Ryde Women’s Masters Coastal Coxed Four of Maggie Sanderson, Abi Locke, Lisa Murphy, Kirsty Robson with Rosie Watts coxing who also finished 1st in their section.

In Division two, which had mainly bigger 4's boats, the Ryde Club had an Open Men’s River Coxed Four competing of Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis, Joe Bird with Ruby Read coxing who finished 1st in their section and an Open Men’s Coxless Four of Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts who finished 2nd. The Clubs Open Novice River Coxed Four of Reuben Rook, Lukas Georgiou, Cameron D’Arcy, and Max Locke with Harry Watts coxing finished 1st in their section and Club Women’s Master Four raced competed again in a coastal boat – again winning their section.  Finally, a Women’s Coastal J16 Coxed Four of Lottie Pettitt, Emily Kellerman, Niamh Murphy, Mai Read, with Dexter Robson Coxing raced again winning their section. The Club did have an Open Coastal Single Sculler competing in the 2nd Division - Finn Diffey – but unfortunately, he suffered an equipment failure and failed to finish the course.

A special mention should go to Dexter and Rosie who had their first taste of coxing a head race. Finally, a huge thanks to all the parents/carers who came along to support the Ryde crews for the event and to Newport Rowing Club for organising the event.

IItchen Junior Regatta. Saturday 28th September 2024.

Itchen Junior Regatta. Saturday 28th September 2024

Junior crews from the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Itchen Imperial Rowing Clubs Junior Regatta on Saturday (28th September 2024) over a short 450 metre course on the River Itchen, Southampton. Racing was mainly in River boats, over the straight course with no racing turn for various categories and boat types for Boys and Girls from fourteen to sixteen years.

First afloat for Ryde was Isaac Gibson in the Boys J16 River Sculls for Novices who finished 2nd in his final.

Next afloat for the Club was Lottie Pettitt racing in the Girls J16 Sculls – who finished first in her heat and 3rd in the Final.

Ryde’s youngest crew – the Boys J14 River Double of Max Locke and Joe Bird were impeded in their race leading to a disqualification and a re-row where the young Ryde Crew finished in 2nd place.

Next It was the turn of Charlie Watts to compete in the Boys J16 Single Sculls where he finished 1st in his heat and went on to win the final relatively comfortably.

The Club had two crews in the Boys J16 River Double – the Clubs A Crew of Charlie Watts and Finn Diffey finishing 3rd in the Final which was won by the Clubs B Crew – a composite crew consisting of Newport’s Boris Hare and Ryde’s Isaac Gibson.

The Club's fours crew then took to the water – the Boys River Coxed Quad consisting of Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke, Isaac Gibson and Joe Bird, stroke, with Harry Watts, coxing who finished 1st in their heat and in the final.

Finally, the Boys J16 Coxed River Four of Fin Diffey, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts and Joe Bird, stroke, with Harry Watts coxing once again also finished 1st in their final in a close race