Dover RC get a taste for racing
Dover Rowing Club members were busy on 8th and 9th August as they took part in a two day regatta on the south coast. On the Saturday, a small group travelled along the coast to West Sussex in order to compete in the Shoreham Regatta. The event was postponed earlier on in the year due to poor weather. This time, the conditions held out throughout the day and the event ran successfully without a hitch.
The senior coxed four of the Dover men’s junior squad kicked off the day in a close race crossing the line in 4th place. The crew of Chris Price, Ben Embleton, Tony Burrows, Will Coleman and Kate Smissen (cox) had a battle on their hands between themselves, Bexhill and Deal as they fought to the finish.
The club’s veteran rowers enjoyed one of their best results so far this year. The coxed four, who consisted of Tony Burrows, Keith Thomasson, Tony Squibb, Lee Stampton and Kate Smissen (cox), opened up the gap between themselves and another crew (who finished 4th place) and successfully cruised home in third place.
Keith and Lee also formed a men’s senior coxed four crew along with Liam Stampton and Will Coleman and came a creditable 7th in their race. Next was the ladies turn in the ladies senior coxed fours race. Jacky Silk, who was making her return to racing, joined forces with Maria West-Burrows, Lizzie Foley, Zoe Fitzsimmons and Kate Smissen (cox). They crossed the finish line in 6th place.
The end of the day saw the Dover novice scullers take to the water after qualifying for the final earlier in the day. In a good display, Liam Stampton forged his way through the novice status to come 1st with Will Coleman hot on his heals in 2nd. They were followed by Chris Price in 5th.
Dover Rowing Club were then involved in more action as they hosted the Coast ARA Junior & Ladies Sculling Regatta which is held each year as part of the Dover Town Regatta weekend. The morning races consisted of singles, doubles and quadruple sculling boats and was attended by rowing clubs who traveled from as far as Eastbourne, Worthing, Shoreham and Herne Bay to compete.
For many of the Dover rowers this was their first ever regatta, with all getting a taste of competitive side by side racing. Kate Smissen surged ahead in the ladies sculling race who crossed the line in 1st place. The ladies quad, who consisted of Danielle Jackson, Maria, Emma Dray, Lizzie Foley and Robin Craft, held off the Herne Bay crew to come 2nd place.
Olly Latham and Jack Smith teamed up in the men’s J14 double scull to form an unbeatable duo fighting off Herne Bay to seal 1st place.
In the J16 single sculls, James Court got the better of fellow club mate Tom Robson. James came a good 3rd place with Tom close by in 4th. This was their first race in singles and both did considerably well.
Jack Smith, Olly Latham, Matt Austin, Charlotte Davies and Matt Woods (cox) also held good forml in the J14 mixed quad race. They crossed the line in a very creditable 4th place.
A good morning of racing was rounded off with the Mayors Schools event. This is decided by the first male and female Dover double scull to cross the finish line. The ladies trophy was won by Natasha Bailey and Sacha Barna of Dover Grammar School for Girls while the men’s trophy went to Olly Latham and Jack Smith from the Dover Grammar School for Boys.
The day came to a close with a race inside the ergo room where there was racing held on the Concept 2 indoor rowing machines.
A big thanks goes to all the helpers, supporters, and competitors who helped make the day such a success. We couldn’t of done it without you. A big thanks also goes to the Dover Sea Sports Development Trust, Jacky Silk, Tony Squibb, Will Coleman, Liam Stampton, Kevin Goodwin and Lee Stampton who put endless hours in ensuring the day went well.
Dover Rowing Club can next be seen in action on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August when they compete in the Hastings and Bexhill Regattas.
Sarah Birch
ARA Team Leader
South East
