Paignton RC Became The First Rowing Club in the Country to Offer Four Disciplines of Rowing
On 14th August 2010, The Paignton Rowing Club became the first rowing club in the country to offer four disciplines of rowing in the form of sliding seat, gig, coastal and also FISA coastal.
The christening of a new FISA coastal four was performed by Peter Atkinson, the West of England ARA President, at Paignton beach where the new boat was named ‘Wave Dancer’ following a suggestion by one of the club’s junior rowers.
The choice of Peter Atkinson to christen the boat marked a return to the club where he learnt to row some 40 years ago, with club official Joan Whittle confirming that “We’re delighted he could perform the naming, as he was once the Captain of Paignton Rowing Club.”
The South Devon club are hoping to run a coastal boat regatta next year and are to offer free ‘taster’ lessons, for all those who may be interested. They are also looking for extra coaches, or veteran and ex-rowers to come and help with our rowing programme. Joan added that “We’d also like to welcome back any ‘old’ rowers to have a go in any of our boats. Age makes no difference, 9 or 90, all will be made welcome”. Contact numbers for any interested parties are Club Captain Karen Gidley on Torquay 558551 or Club Secretary Joan Whittle on Torquay 408017.
Fun races for men, women, mixed and juniors followed the christening with all of the region’s FISA coastal boat clubs attending including Exmouth, Teign Scullers, Torquay and Mayflower and also the home club. The course was 8 kilometres for the seniors and 3 kilometres for the juniors and which started at the Harbour crews rowed out towards Broadsands, back across Tor Bay towards Torquay and then across from Corbyn Head to the finish at Paignton.
Paignton FISA Coastal Rowing Regatta results:
LADIES.
1 Mayflower N2 32 minutes 47 seconds 2 Exmouth 32:59 3 Teign Scullers 36:48 4 Mayflower 144 37:26 5 Paignton 38:38
MEN’S.
1 Mayflower N2 31:09 2 Mayflower 144 31:12 3. Torquay [double scull] Maurice Dunn and Ian Wilson 32:20 4 Teign 32:53 5 Teign Scullers [double scull] Patrick Gaskins and Andy Darkin 33:09 6 Exmouth 34:16 7 Paignton 34:28
JUNIORS.
1 Exmouth 17:35 2 Paignton 18:03 3 Paignton 19:05 4 Paignton 21:26
MIXED CREWS.
1 Exmouth 32:02 2 Exmouth 34:37 3 Paignton 34:38 4 Paignton 34:51 5 Mayflower 35:29 6 Teign Scullers 37:16
