Eton Dorney prepares to host South Coast Championships

The South Coast Championships are heading to Eton Dorney on Saturday, where the cream of England’s southern coastal rowers will battle it out at the London 2012 Olympic venue.

British coastal rowers traditionally race in wind speeds of up to 15 miles per hour and up to four-foot high waves, so the relative serenity of Dorney Lake will provide a new and exciting twist for the 2011 championships.

Over the summer racing season, crews from Hampshire and Dorset, West of England and the Coast Associations race each week in unpredictable, challenging conditions, battling it out to win their associations championships.

This, in turn, leads to The South Coast championships – one of the most prestigious events in the coastal rowing calendar.

This year the Hants & Dorset ARA play hosts for the South Coast Championships, with the three associations meeting contest the following events: Senior Men’s 4+, Senior Women’s 4+, Junior Senior Men’s 4+, Junior Men’s 4+, Junior Ladies 4+ and Veteran’s (40+) 4+.

Despite contesting this year’s championships on Dorney Lake, crews will still take to the water in their coastal boats, which are shorter and wider than fine boats.

Saturday’s events comprise of the South Coast Junior Regatta in the morning, the South Coast Championships in the afternoon, and a prize-giving by five-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave.

For more information on Saturday’s events, visit the South Coast Championships website, or see the official draw sheet.