RYDE ROWING CLUB. WOOLSTON (SOUTHAMPTON) REGATTA, Saturday, 19th August 2023.

After over a month when Ryde Rowing Club crews and scullers were unable to compete in the Hants & Dorset ARA regatta program as a result of a number of events being cancelled or postponed due to the weather the Club finally returned to competitive action on Saturday at Woolston Regatta, at Western Shore, Southampton, hosted by Southampton Rowing Club – although the conditions were far from ideal and this Regatta very nearly suffered the same fate as others in July and August.

The Wightlink sponsored Club had a slightly depleted squad due to holidays but were able to boat a coxed four, a coxless pair and six single scullers – although the two J16 Scullers – Charlie Watts and Isaac Gibson were prevented from sculling when their race was abandoned before their start because of the prevailing conditions.

The hi-light of the Regatta for the Ryde Club was the performance of their Coastal Junior Four of Charlie Watts, Ben Sanderson, Will Hall, Paddy Kearney with Mai Mackay Coxing – who finished 2nd in the final to the Hants & Dorset ARA Champions from Southampton. Their two wins and several second places has led to them being selected to represent the Association in the Coastal Junior Fours event at the South Coast Championship Regatta at Folkestone on the 16th of September – the forty-third time the Club has been asked to provide a representative crew for the Association – where the have gone on to win nineteen South Coast Championships.

There was another fine performance by Stella Baisley, finishing 2nd in the Ladies Novice Sculls event in very challenging conditions.

The Clubs three men’s Novice Scullers had mixed fortunes – the A Sculler – Paddy Kearney, finishing 3rd in his heat to claim a place in the finals were 6th. The Novice B Sculler – Will Hall suffered a capsize soon after the start of his race forcing him to withdraw – but there was an excellent performance from the Novice C Sculler – Isaac Gibson – in his first competitive sculling race where he finished in 5th place out of nine in his heat.

The Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of Will Hall and Paddy Kearney finished 4th in their final.

The Club also had a young Novice Oarsman - Lucas Georgiou – making his competitive debut for the Club – racing in a composite crew with three oarsmen for Poole Rowing Club – who finished 5th in their final.

Photo. Young Ryde Novice Sculler Isaac Gibson who finished 5th in his heat in his first ever competitive sculling event.

Steve Bull.