Win for Novice Ladies at Southsea

After five regattas cancelled due to bad weather Herne Bay ARC rowers were raring to go on Saturday 12^th July at Southsea regatta, the biggest regatta of the coastal rowing calendar, where clubs from Kent and Sussex (the Coast Amateur Rowing Association) compete against clubs from the Hants and Dorset association (HDARA).

The best result of the day came in the Ladies Novice Fours event, won by HBARC girls Phoebe Shilling, Amanda Waters, April Towner and Samantha Epps (coxed by George Holness). The girls had a good start but were behind at the turns. Coming back from the turns, rowing against the wind, the girls pulled through to finish over a length ahead of Poole ARC.

The same crew then went on to finish third in the Ladies Junior event, though they were the first CARA crew to cross the line, therefore scoring a win for HBARC in the CARA grand aggregate points.

As holders of the coveted Pompey Grand trophy, HBARC Men’s Senior Four crew were out to retain the title. The crew of Bradley Whale, Ashley Epps, Mark Simmonds and Ryan Hosking, coxed by Samantha Epps, won the heat but were drawn in the outside lane for the final and could only manage fourth place. The race was won by reigning South Coast Champions Ryde RC.

In the Men’s Junior-Senior Fours event, the crew of Trevor Brown, Mark Davies, Bradley Whale and Harry Roberts, coxed by George Holness, was the first CARA crew to cross the line, winning valuable points for the club.

Brown and Roberts, joined by Graham Dawes and Bob Balchin from Bexhill RC, came second in the Veterans over 50s event.

This weekend sees Hastings Regatta on Saturday and HBARC’s home regatta on Sunday, starting at 11.45. For more information about coastal rowing see www.hbarc.org.uk or get down to Hampton Pier to see all the action at Sunday’s Regatta.