Masters success at Christchurch Rowing Club's annual regatta

CHRISTCHURCH Rowing Club's annual regatta was a tremendous success, with nine Hants and Dorset Amateur Rowing Association clubs entering the 49 scheduled races.

The clubhouse and riverbanks were bustling with competitors of all ages in their club colours, while supporters and passers-by watched.

The novice men's and novice women's events had several entries. After the heats, semi-finals and final, BTC won the women's and Ryde won the men's events.

The juniors also had large competitive fields with two Christchurch women's crews and one men's. Both women's crews lost in the semis despite solid performances, and the young men's crew lost in the final a week after winning at the Milford regatta.

The seniors events saw technical rowing, powerful starts and close racing, with Itchen winning the men's and BTC winning the women's events. However, Christchurch fared much better in the masters (over 40) events with wins for the women (Lucy Hart, Emma Kelly, Julia Fabrizi, Amanda Pearson) and the men (Jay Simpson, Phil Scantlebury, Craig Parkins, Nick Dimmock). Both crews were coxed by Tara Myring-McCullagh.

More Christchurch victories came when the U16 boys (Matas Volungevicius, Oscar London, Tom Walker, Ewan McClean) beat Southsea and the mixed U16 quadruple scull (Erin Casserley, Oscar London, Tom Walker, Caitlin Lockey) beat Itchen. Both crews were coxed by Alyce Tate and coached by Mark Simms.

The club thanked its committee, president, chair, captains, members, family and friends for organising the regatta.