Warwick Regatta 2015

Warwick Regatta managed to avoid the storms and run in warm, but mainly dry conditions on Saturday with crews racing from 18 different clubs.

hero__image

Organised and hosted by Warwick Boat Club, the regatta was held on a 500m course with Warwick Castle in the background. A total of 135 crews took part ranging from juniors to masters and there were also’ primary’ events for people new to the sport.

New for 2015, Warwick offered ‘championship fours’ which were open to all crews and run in the regatta’s popular league format with crews getting to race at least twice. Both the open and the women’s events received a good entry and provided some close racing.

Worcester were the overall winners with an all-Worcester final in the women’s event while the men’s crew saw off opposition from Milton Keynes Rowing Club to win the National Grid Challenge Cup.

Gabrielle Peach, who was in the three-seat of the winning crew, commented, “We appreciated the championship coxed fours event allowing us to race without the accumulation of points, and that the format allowed everyone to race at least twice. It also ensured that it was the two fastest crews who raced in the final.

“We were particularly happy we had a Worcester-Worcester final! It was a great summer’s day in a beautiful location.”

A large contingent of junior rowers from Cardiff & Vale Schools Rowing Academy attended the regatta, picking up a massive nine wins which meant that they won the Victor Ludorum.

One of the tightest races of the day was the intermediate 1 single sculls where Jack Gibson of Upton Rowing Club beat James Doleman of Derwent by a canvas to win the Warwick Goblets. The two scullers had raced each other earlier in the season with the result going the other way, but only by three feet.

The day was concluded with the annual grudge match between the tennis and squash sections of Warwick Boat Club, resulting in the first win for the tennis crew in a number of years.

Visiting umpire Tania Griffin said, “I have never umpired at Warwick before, but it was fun and a great atmosphere!”

Full results from the Regatta will soon be available at www.warwickboatclub.co.uk/rowing-regatta/

Report and Photos by James Lee