Bumper entry for Talkin Tarn Regatta

Saturday 5th July was a momentous day of sport, including Saturday at Henley Royal Regatta, the women’s singles final at Wimbledon, the Tour de France in Yorkshire, the World Cup quarter-finals and of course Talkin Tarn Regatta.

Set in a beautiful Cumbrian country park just outside the town of Brampton, Talkin Tarn ARC has been rowing on the natural glacial lake since 1859.

This year, the annual regatta saw another large entry of over 350 crews from not only the north and Scotland, but also as far away as Sudbury and Canada. Emulating Canada’s first Wimbledon finalist, the regatta this year included a masters single sculler from Canada.

But, unlike Miss Bouchard at Wimbledon, Ms Baker of Maple Bay Rowing Club on Vancouver Island left the regatta victorious with a win in the masters women’s single sculls.

Club stalwart Graeme Mark who could be seen from dawn until dusk marshalling the landing stages, said, “It’s another big entry for the regatta. I don’t think we have had a Canadian here before. It’s a long way to come for a 700-metre race.”

Racing began just after 8am with the heats of one of the most competitive events at this year’s regatta, the women’s IM3 single sculls.

After several rounds the event was eventually won by Murray from Nithsdale.

The J15 boys’ doubles also had another large entry and was fiercely contested by local clubs. 

The winners were a Tyne United and Talkin Tarn composite crew who battled through competition from almost every club in the North East to show their determination and take the pots home.

As the day progressed the sun emerged and together with a slight tail wind down the three lane 700-metre course, athletes were treated to some lovely Cumbrian summer rowing conditions.

Katie Robinson, Talkin Tarn captain said, “We have competitors of all abilities, who have travelled from far and wide. It’s fantastic to see so many age groups competing. We have a new regatta committee this year who have done a sterling job organising the event.”

In division 2 the men’s IM2 pairs category was won by Lancaster’s John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club with some expert steering across the open waters of the tarn.

Unfortunately, the local IM2 Talkin Tarn coxed four were unable to hold off a huge second-half push from their George Watson’s College opposition who stormed over the line to take the final.

There are several local legends surrounding Talkin Tarn, including the haunting tale of a spooky village beneath the waves, whose church bell can be heard chiming on moonlit nights.

After racing was over on Saturday, perhaps the haunted bells chimed over the calm waters of the tarn to celebrate another successful regatta for 2014.

Visit talkintarnarc.co.uk for more news from Talking Tarn ARC.

By Kevin Oates