Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink, having missed out on the last competition – the BTC Spring Head – due to problems with their trailer and Covid – returned to competition on Saturday (2nd April, 2022) competing in the Southampton Head of the River Race for Coastal Fours.
The Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race for is a timed head race for coxed fours in coastal boats with crews for men and women of all ages starting at intervals and raced over two divisions over a course of around five miles on the River Itchen and hosted by Southampton Rowing Club.
The Ryde club’s crews had mixed results.
Men’s Junior Senior Crew
In division 1 the Men’s Junior Senior Crew of Ben Edmondson, Joel Smith, Austin Smith and Dale Buckett coxed by Niamh Murphy had a narrow victory finishing first out of three crews, and also beating one Senior crew (Herne Bay).
Ryde Men’s Novice Fours
Also in Division 1 were two Ryde Men’s Novice Fours, the Novice A – of Dan Sanderson, Paddy Kearney, Will Hall, Freddie Giemza-Pipe and Mai Mackay (Cox) – came third in their section.
The Novice B Crew – were forced into a late crew as a result of illness with a members of Coalporters Rowing Club stepping in to join Ryde’s Isaac Gibson, Sebastian MacKeowen and Yogi Ashworth with Otis Ripley coxing – and making his competitive debut for the Club – and in the circumstances did well to beat two crews.
Women’s Coastal Juniors
In Division two the Women’s Coastal Junior crew of Hannah Lake, Stella Baisley, Niamh Murphy, Julie Clarke with Mai Mackay coxing once again – rowed well considering they had two novices in the boat – one – Hanna Lake making her competitive debut for the club – and it was their first time on the water in this format – but they finished well down the field.
News shared by Steve on behalf of Ryde Rowing Club. Ed
Image: Ryde Men’s JS Crew L to R – Joel Smith, Ben Edmondson, Niamh Murphy (Cox), Austin Smith and Dale Buckett
