Novices shine at the Berwick Trade 4’s

 

Smurfin' USA compete at the Berwick Trade 4's

Berwick ARC hosted their annual Trade 4’s regatta on Saturday, welcoming a host of costume-clad rowers and newcomers for an action-packed day of racing on the River Tweed.

The ‘fun regatta’ – known to locals as The Henley of the North – invites crews consisting of one experienced rower and three novices to compete in a knock-out tournament, with fancy-dress optional.

The newcomers spent four weeks learning to row ahead of the regatta, before putting on a spectacle for the gathered crowds as a total of 72 competitors took to the water in a selection of extraordinary outfits.

18 crews registered for the event – eight men’s, five women’s, and five mixed – with Tough at the Top clinching the hotly contested men’s final.

Rower’s Ark claimed bragging rights in the women’s final, with Where’s Our Wally finishing top of the mixed crews.

Outfits on the day ranged from Smurfs to Stop the Pigeon, with a menagerie of animal costumes thrown in for good measure.

Where's our Wally win the mixed race