Milford-on-Sea Regatta. Saturday, 18th May 2024.

/ Milford-on-Sea/

Milford-on-Sea Regatta. Saturday, 18th May 2024.

Crews & Scullers from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the first Han

tst and Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Regatta of the season on Saturday (18th May 2024) at Milford-on-Sea near Lymington and hosted by Lymington Amateur Rowing Club.

In the first race of the day the Ryde Boys J16 Coxed Quad of Mai Read, Lars Groothuis, Charlie Watts, Joe Bird and Ruby Read coxing rowed excellently to win the event.

There was also an excellent row from Ryde’s men’s Novice Four of Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth. Joe Roberts and Joe Bird with and Harry Watts (Cox) – who finished 2nd in their heat to qualify for the final where they finished in 2nd place.

The Ryde Clubs men’s Junior Senior Four of Ben Sanderson, Will Hall, Dale Buckett and Paddy Kearney with Mai Read coxing also raced well to finish in 2nd place in their final.

In the Men’s Senior Pairs Ryde’s Paddy Kearney and Will Hall racing for the first time at this level following their promotion in status after last season’s Junior Pairs wins finished 4th in the Final.

In the Men’s Junior Pair, the young Ryde Crew of Charlie Watts and Joe Roberts won their heat and finished in 4th place in their Final – a strong performance.

Ryde’s men’s Double scull of Paddy Kearney and Will Hall finished in 6th place in their final.

In the Ladies Double Sculls event the young Ryde double of Mai Read and Emily Kellerman, racing against adult opposition, did exceptionally well to finish in 6th place in their Final.

The Ryde Single Scullers competing at the event all scull ed reasonably well – the Men’s Coastal Junior Sculler Ben Sanderson finishing in 4th place and the two Novice Scullers – Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth finishing 4th and 5th in their respective heats - failing to make the final.

The Ball Cup, Sunday 12th May 2024 and Shoreham Regatta, Saturday 11th May 2024.

/ Dorney Lake, Eton./

The Ball Cup, Sunday 12th May 2024 and Shoreham Regatta, Saturday 11th May 2024.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Clubs J15 Sculler - Charlie Watts – competed in the Ball Cup Regatta – at Dorney Lake, Eton - on Sunday (12th May 2024)

The purpose of the Ball Cup Regatta is to allow the schools and clubs which cannot semi-final or final at national events to compete against each other on a multilane course. The overriding aim of the Ball Cup is to give small and emerging clubs and their emerging competitors a chance to experience true competition and the chance to win.

Charlie competed in two event the J15 Single Sculls event and the J16 single sculls event.

In the J15 Single sculls event he finished first in his heat and in the final. In the J16 Single sculling event he again finished 1st in his heat and 2nd in the final – an outstanding performance against some strong competition.

 

On the Saturday (11th May 2024) another Club Sculler – Ben Sanderson – competed at Shoreham Regatta in the Men’s Coastal Sculling event but unfortunately, he capsized just after the turn in some pretty rough condition - failing to complete the course.

Junior Inter Regional Regatta. Saturday, 20th April 2024. 

/ National Water Sports Centre./

Junior Inter Regional Regatta. Saturday, 20th April 2024. 

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Clubs young Junior Sculler Charlie Watts competed for the Wessex Regional Rowing Council Team in the National Junior Inter Regional Regatta at the National Water Sports centre, Nottingham over the weekend (Saturday, 20th April 2024).

The Junior Inter Regionals (JIRR) are a national Regatta where teams are based on the British Rowing Regions plus Scotland. There is competition in Quad Sculls, double sculls, and single sculls as well as coxed fours and eights for both boys and girls from fourteen through to sixteen and competition is fierce with some of the best young oars people in the country competing.

Charlie was selected for the team at trials held earlier in April at Bryanston School, Dorset where his performance qualified him as one of two J15 Single Scullers for the Wessex Regional Team.

The J15 Boys Sculling event had a slightly confusing format with the scullers competing in a time trial before racing again in a series of finals.

Charlie produced a very credible performance finishing 14th in the Time Trial in a time of four minutes six seconds from twenty-six scullers racing earning a place in on of the A Finals where he finished in 5th place, in a time of six minutes thirteen seconds contributing nine points to the Wessex Regional Teams overall points total helping them to secure 10th place in the boy’s events and 12th place overall.

Ryde R. C. Regatta Weekend.

/ Ryde Rowing Club/

Ryde R. C. Regatta Weekend. Saturday/Sunday, 8th/9th JUNE 2024. HELP REQUIRED!

Saturday/Sunday, 8th/9th JUNE 2024.

HELP REQUIRED!

The Clubs Annual Regatta is on Saturday, 8th June - with Shanklin on Sunday, 9th. It will be a busy weekend for the Club and Members are asked to come and help as much as they can.

We need –

People for all or part of the day on the Friday (7th June) to help Setup –

Clearing the Clubhouse, laying the buoys & start/finish posts, set- up around the Clubhouse.

The Sandwich bash will be early evening – on this Friday.

On Saturday (Regatta Day) – 8th June - we need help on the Bar and

with serving of Refreshments, during the day and into the evening at the Clubhouse.

We will need some help manning the Ryde R. C. Safety boat (preferably but not necessarily with some experience.

Help with Breakfasts on Sunday morning – if we have any?

 Sunday and Monday - help to clear up the mess!

& get the Clubhouse straight.

 Contacts -

Regatta Set Up/Clear up & Safety Boat - Steve Bull.

on 566481. Mobile 07786 034941. Email: stephencbull@gmail.com

Breakfasts, Refreshments & the Sandwich bash + Bar staffing - Josie Bull

on 566481. Mobile 07964 424417. Email: josiembull@gmail.com

 Please let us know what you can do to help.

With my thanks in anticipation.

 Steve Bull, Regatta Secretary.

Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race, Saturday, 8th April 2024.

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Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race, Saturday, 8th April 2024.

There were slightly disappointing results for the three crews from Ryde Rowing Club who competed in the Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race on Saturday (8th June 2024) a processional race, in two divisions, over approx. 4,300m on the River Itchen in Southampton.

In Division one the Club had a young Coxed Coastal J16 Ladies quad scull competing, of Lottie Pettit, Emily Kellerman, Alexis Owen and Mia Read with Ruby Read coxing, who finished 2nd in their section.

Also, in Division one the Clubs Men’s Coxed Coastal Junior Four of Lars Groothuis, Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts, and Charlie Watts, coxed by Harry Watts who finished 6th in their section.

In division two the Clubs Men's Coxed Coastal Novice Four of Ben Robotham, Fin Diffey, Lucas Georgiou, and Joe Bird – coxed by Lottie Pettit also finished in 6th place in their section.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time Trial, River Medina, Sunday, 24th March 2024.

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Crews and Scullers from Ryde Rowing Club competed in the second Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time trial of the season on Sunday, 24th March – with crews and scullers from Newport and Shanklin Sandown Rowing Clubs also involved.

Racing was over two division- one 3450m in length and the 2nd division over 1750m and the full range of crews and scullers, male and female, involved - in different boat types.

In division one the Ryde Coastal Novice Coxed Four were the first to finish in their section as was the Coastal Women’s Coxed Four and Charlie Watts racing in an Open J16 single scull. Paddy Kearney finished 2nd in the Open Novice Sculls as did the Men’s Coastal Junior Pair.

In the 2nd Division there were first places for a Ryde Women’s J16 Coastal Double Scull and a Coastal Women’s Novice Double scull as well as the Open Men’s Novice Four. There was a 3rd place Charlie Watts in a Coastal J16 single Scull with a 4th place for Lars Groothuis.

BTC Spring Head of the River Race. Sunday, 10th March 2024.

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Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink, competed in their first mainland events of the new season on Sunday (10th March) – the BTC Spring Head, on the River Itchen, Southampton, a time trial of 4000m in two divisions.

In division one the Men’s Coastal Junior Four the crew of Lars Groothuis, Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts with Harry Watts, cox, finished 2nd in their section with the Men’s Coastal Novice Four of Ben Robotham, Fin Diffey, Lucas Georgiou, Joe Bird, and Ruby Reid, Cox finishing in 5th place.  Th Club had two Men’s Novice River Sculls competing – Paddy Kearney who finished in 4th place and Yogi Ashworth who finished 6th. Mai Read and Lottie Pettitt competed in a Women’s J8 Coastal double and finished 1st in their division against limited opposition.

In the 2nd Division Paddy Kearney competing in a Men’s Coastal Single sull won his section while Charlie Watts and Lars Groothuis finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Men’s Coastal J16 Single Sculls. The Ryde Men’s Novice Four competing in a river boat - of Ben Robotham, Fin Diffey, Lucas Georgiou, Joe Bird with Ruby Read coxing finished 2nd in their section with Isaac Gibson and Joe Roberts finishing 3rd in the Coastal Junior Pair.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time Trial, River Medina, Sunday, 11th February 2024.

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Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time Trial, River Medina, Sunday, 11th February 2024.

Crews and Scullers from Ryde Rowing Club competed in the first Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time trial of the season on Sunday, 11th February – with crews and scullers from Newport and Shanklin Sandown Rowing Clubs also involved.

Racing was over two division- one 3450m in length and the 2nd division over 1750m and the full range of crews and scullers, male and female, involved - in different boat types.

In division one the Ryde Coastal Novice Four were the first to finish in their section as was Senior Sculler – Dale Buckett and a Ryde Women’s Coastal Junior Double and there were 2nd places for a Ryde Men’s Coastal Junior Four and Paddy Kearney in an open Novice Single Scull.

In the 2nd Division there were first places for a Ryde Coastal Open J16 Double, a Ryde Coastal Open J18 Double, Mai Reid – in Coastal Women’s J16 Single Scull, Charlie Watts in a Men’s Open J15 Single, Isaac Gibson in a Open J16 Single with Yogi Ashworth in 2nd place.

Wightlink Continues Sponsorship of Ryde Rowing Club.

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Wightlink Continues Sponsorship of Ryde Rowing Club.

The Club Committee is very pleased to announce that Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the Club for another year, taking the agreement through to December 2024.  It provides the Club with considerable assistance in transporting their competitors, coaches, and equipment to and from the Island for mainland competitions throughout the year.  Its support allows the Club to compete on the mainland on a regular basis in the Hants & Dorset ARA Coastal Regatta Programme during the summer months and inland in River events during the winter.  Its support has been especially useful to the Club's successful and expanding Junior Section enabling them to attend competitions and training camps on the mainland.  Without Wightlink’s support all these activities would be substantially restricted.

Wightlink is the main link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland.  Every year, it carries 3.8 million passengers, making it one of the UK’s largest domestic ferry operators.  It provides Island residents with an easy and frequent service to the mainland, as well as giving millions of holidaymakers a taste of Island life. Crossings take approximately 22 minutes by FastCat and from 40 minutes by car ferry and it operates three convenient routes with more than 140 sailings a day.  It is also dedicated to giving excellent customer service and the best facilities on board and at its ports.

Wightlink’s sponsorship of the Ryde Club is one of the company’s oldest sponsorship agreements - as they were the first Club sponsored by the company, formally known as Sealink following its support of the 1987 Isle of Wight hosted South Coast Rowing Championships Regatta.  It is believed to be the longest running and most successful sponsorship partnerships in Coastal Rowing and one of the longest running in the sport of rowing.

Hon Secretary’s Report for Ryde Rowing Club’s AGM, to be held on the 24th November 2023.

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Hello Everyone

Thank you for attending this year’s AGM.

This has been another successful year for the Club, both on and off the water.

A new coastal four was purchased by the Club in the spring, which was kindly named after me.  This was funded by grants obtained by the Club.

In relation to social matters, the Fish and Chip Suppers remain very popular, with 10 talks being held this year on very interesting and varied subjects, ranging from travel to scandalous tales of the Isle of Wight!

Our relationship with the Harriers remains strong.  They run from the Clubhouse every week and hold races, with some competitors travelling from the Mainland.  This helps boost the club’s funds.

Again we took part in Appley Day, which was successful in the fact that we gained several new members and promoted the Club within the local community.

The Club is used as a base for several local organisations and is available to hire for events such as weddings and birthday parties.

On the water the Club had a successful season, which culminated in runners up positions in the Junior 4s, Ladies Junior Pair, Men’s Junior Pair and Men’s Novice Sculls.

Our Junior 4 represented the Hants and Dorset Rowing Association at this year’s South Coast Championships, coming an agonizingly second in a photo finish.

We also competed in events outside the Hants and Dorset region, including taking part at Henley and rowing over the Royal Regatta course.  Our younger rowers were treated to a visit to the world famous Leander Club by our Club President, Steve Cook. 

Our own regatta was a huge success and remains one of the favourites in the Hants and Dorset calendar.

I would like to thank all the people that give up their time to support our oarspeople.

Looking ahead to next year, plans are still ongoing to securing a new lease to the clubhouse.  A small group of members are looking to expand our off-water activities, which already include quiz and bingo nights.  We are also looking to bring back previously held water based competitions and fun events, such as the Yelf’s Marathon.

Despite the challenges ahead of us, next year looks very positive.

I would like to thank our sponsors and everyone who has contributed to the running of the Club, both on and off the water, and wish the Club good luck for next year.

Darrell Reeve

Hon Secretary

Ryde R. C. Annual General Meeting, Friday 24th November and Awards Night, Saturday, 25th November 2023.

/ Ryde Rowing Club/

AGM

Ryde Rowing Club held their Annual General Meeting at their Appley Park Clubhouse on Friday (24th November 2023). 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, Ben Sanderson was re-elected Club Captain with Paddy Kearney re-elected Vice/Rowing Captain. Dave Redstone was re-elected Financial Secretary 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 – Stephanie Hickman, Josie Bull, Peter Gibson, and Miles Watts elected to serve until November 2025 joining Steve Bull, Jo Smith, Graham Reeve, and Jo Gibson who were already serving until November 2024. Finally, the Bar Committee was elected – with Steve Bull as Chairman, Josie Bull as Assistant Bar Manager, Chris Groves as Secretary and Paddy Kearney as a Bar Committee member – the role of Bar Manager being left vacant.

A small adjustment to the Clubs rates of subscription were then agreed.

 

Awards Night.

On the Saturday (25th November 2023) the Club held it Annual Presentation of Awards with over sixty-five members and guests in attendance at their Appley Park Clubhouse. After the Club Captain Ben Sanderson had welcomed everyone the Event organiser – Jo Gibson – thanked the Clubs main sponsors – Wightlink - and then presented a summary of the Clubs activities in 2023 hi-lighting the performance of the Clubs Men’s Coastal Junior Four who as well as finishing runners-up in the Hants & Dorset ARA Championship represented the Associations at the South Coast Rowing Championships in Folkestone where they finished 2nd. Other hi-light of the season were the performance of the Coastal Ladies Junior Pair who were also runners-up for their Hants & Dorset ARA Championships. Club crews were also runners-up in the Hants & Dorset Championships for the Men’s Coastal Junior Pairs, the Men’s Novice fours and the Men’s Novice sculls.

The Club Captain, Ben Sanderson and Vice-Captain Paddy Kearney then presented the Club Awards – with Traditional “First H&D ARA Rowing Win for Club” Spoons to – 

Dan Sanderson, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts, Lars Groothuis. Chloe Hughes and Matt Chalmers. The 1st Year Oars lady Award went to Lottie Roland and the 1st Year Oarsman to Joe Bird. The Coxswain’s Cup was awarded for the 2nd year in succession to Mia Mackay. The Oars lady of the Year Trophy was presented to Stella Baisley and the Oarsman of the year to Charlie Watts. The Coach’s Cup was awarded to Matt Chalmers. The Committee Cup was presented to Miles Watts with the Captains Cup going to Isaac Gibson and there was a special award, presented by the Clubs Cadet representative Isaac Gibson to young Harry Watts in his first season coxing for the Club.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Championships. Sunday 19th November 2023.

/ Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club/

Eleven members of Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Isle of Wight Rowing Forums Indoor Rowing Championship, hosted by Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club at their Clubhouse on Sunday 19th November 2023.

The annual competition had competitors from all three Island Clubs with Shanklin Sandown and Newport competing alongside Ryde – and it is believed that this was the best attended event since the competition began over ten years ago.

The Ryde club won a medal in every event they entered and there were wins for Charlie Watts in the year 10 boy’s event and for Joe Bird in the year 9 boy’s event.

Head of the Median, Saturday, 14th October 2023.

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Head of the Median, Saturday, 14th October 2023.

Crews and Scullers from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in Newport Rowing Clubs Head of the Medina on Saturday (14th October). The Medina Head is a processional race, with crews and scullers starting at intervals, over a 3200m course, on the river Medina – from Newport Rowing Club to just beyond the Folly straight. As well as the three Island Club there were three visiting mainland Clubs – Southsea, Poole, and Lymington – with Southsea and Poole boating from Ryde’s Folly base along with the Ryde Crews and scullers. Ryde also provided some safety cover in support of the event.

In the first division a composite Men’s Coastal Senior 4+ from Ryde and Poole not only won their division but also put up the fastest time of the day. Ryde’s Paddy Kearney stroked the boat and young Harry Watts coxed.

Also, in the first division Ryde had three open coastal scullers competing – Charlie Watts finishing 2nd, Isaac Gibson finishing 3rd and Matthew Groothuis finishing 5th.

There was a first place for Ryde’s Men’s open coastal double of Lars Groothuis and Joe Bird and a 2nd place for Stella Baisley in the Women’s River Open single.

The Ryde Women’s Coastal Open double of Mai Mackay and Lottie Roland unfortunately had to withdraw from the race due to equipment failure.

In the 2nd Division there was a first place for Ryde’s Men’ Open River double of Charlie Watts and Isaac Gibson – and a 2nd place for Stella Baisley in the Women’s Open River single.

The Club also had three Men’s River Open singles racing – Paddy Kearney finishing 3rd, Lars Groothuis finishing 8th and Matthew Groothuis finishing 9th.

Appley Day, Sunday 1st October.

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Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club took party in Appley Day, on Sunday, 1st October.

Friends of Appley, supported by Ryde Town Council, Goodleaf Tree Climbing and Natural Enterprise encouraged locals to get out and about in Appley Park with a day of nice things to do in the park and on the beach.

The Ckub ran an Indoor Rowing Machine Competition for the public, had a Coastal Four on display - and served refreshment from the Clubhouse.

tchen Junior Regatta, Sunday, 8th October 2023 & Hants & Dorset ARA Championship Row-off for the Ladies Junior Pairs.

/ Itchen Imperial Rowing Club./

Itchen Junior Regatta, Sunday, 8th October 2023 & Hants & Dorset ARA Championship Row-off for the Ladies Junior Pairs.

A small group of the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club Juniors competed in the Itchen Imperial Rowing Clubs Junior Regatta, over a short 450m straight course on the River Itchen, Southampton, on Sunday, 8thth October 2023 and came away with some successes.

The first success cane in the Boys J14 River Single where Charlie Watts triumphed – winning the Final comfortably. Charle was then joined by Joe Bird to compete in the Boys J14 River double which they also won comfortably. Charlie also competed in Boys J15 River double with Isaac Gibson where they finished first in their heat and 2nd in the Final.

Joe Bird also competed in the Boys J12/13 River Single where he won his heat and finished 3rd in the final.

Isaac Gibson also competed in the Boys J15 River Single where he finished 3rd in his heat.

Mai Mackay and Lottie Roland competed in the Girls J14 River Double finishing 3rd in their heat and Mai also competed in the Girls J14 River Single also finishing 3rd in her heat.

For a number of the Ryde Juniors this was a first taste of competitive rowing for them, and all competed above expectations.

There was a slightly disappointing result to the row-off for the Hants & Dorset ARA Junior Ladies Pairs Championship with the Ryde Crew of Stella Baisley and Chloe Hughes finishing 2nd to host Club from Itchen Imperial who are therefore Hants & Dorset ARA Champions with Ryde in the Runners-up slot.

66th SOUTH COAST ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Folkestone, Saturday, 16th September 2023.

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66th SOUTH COAST ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Folkestone, Saturday, 16th September 2023.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the final event of the Coastal Championship season on Saturday (16th September 2023) – the South Coast Rowing Championships, held at Folkestone and organised by the Coast Amateur Rowing Association and Folkestone Rowing Club. At the Championship Regatta each Association nominates two – and sometimes three – representative crews to compete for the six Championship events – other crews racing in the Open and Invitation events and in the Junior Regatta.

Ryde’s Men’s Coastal Junior Four of Charlie Watts, Ben Sanderson, Will Hall and Paddy Kearney with Mai Mackay coxing, were selected to represent their Association – the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association – in the Championship event– the forty-third time the Club has been asked to provide a representative crew for the Association – where they have gone on to win nineteen South Coast Championships. Unfortunately, they were unable to add a twentieth win – finishing 2nd by the narrowest of margins – less than a canvas – in the closest race of the day, to the Association Champions from Southampton – a one, two for the Association which helped the Association win the aggregate Trophy for the Championship races.

In the Open events the Men’s Junior Senior Four of Dan Sanderson, Isaac Gibson, Matt Chalmers, Gully Roughan, and Coxed by Lottie Rowland finished 3rd in the Final a fine achievement considering they were rowing above their status and one member of the crew was a Novice Oarsman.

Also racing in the Open events were Ryde’s young Men’s Novice Coxed four of Lukas Georgiou, Joe Bird, Gully Rhogan and Yogi Ashworth – coxed once again by Lottie Rowland, who exceeded expectations by finishing 2nd in their heat to qualify for the final where they finished 4th.

In the Junior events Ryde had a Boys J16 Quad competing of Lukas Georgiou, Isaac Gibson, Joe Bird, Yogi Ashworth with Harry Watts coxing, and they too exceeded expectations finishing 3rd in heat qualifying for the final where the finished 5th.

Finally, the Club has a composite Girls Under 14 Quad crew with two girls from Bexhill – Lottie Roland and Mai Mackay representing Ryde along with cox Dan Sanderson, who sculled really well to finish 2nd in their final.