Bideford Regatta brought a medley of results, with the junior squad all doing extremely well: Torin Peel and Jordyn Watkins both finished their season with excellent sculling efforts, but doing particularly well was Alice Middleton and Teagan Peel, who rowed in a composite crew with Wimbleball RC, coxed by Jess Middleton, going on to win easily in the Ladies J14 coxed quads.
The most exciting race of the day was for the Senior C Men’s
crew of Luke Sharam, Adam Sharam, Crispin Brabner, Will Cumberlidge and cox Tess Preston, who got into their boat knowing they simply had to come at least third in order to win their championship for the season.
The heat gave them a good warm-up with an Exeter crew alongside pushing hard. The boys went on to win and therefore qualify.
Kicking hard off the start line, the boys fought against a Christchurch crew the whole way down while being chased by Castledore.
Crossing the finish line was Christchurch in first, Dartmouth second and Castledore third, meaning both Dartmouth and Castle-dore were invited to race in the Men’s Senior C Championship race at Wimbleball the following weekend.
Conditions at Wimbleball Lake were not at their best this weekend. With crosswinds and rain the Dartmouth boys lined up at the start against their West of England Amateur Rowing Association rivals Castledore, along with coastal crews from Deal, Westover & Bournemouth and BTC.
The start of the 2,000m course proved difficult for all crews, and the Dartmouth boys pushed hard, constantly chasing down the Deal A crew. Sadly they ran out of time to row through, but still remained victorious over the Castledore crew, with Dartmouth coming in fifth in an excellent result for the end of their season. Club captain Yorkie Lomas was thrilled.
Men’s Senior C Weara champions: Luke Sharam, Adam Sharam, Crispin Brabner, Will Cumberlidge, Will Atkins, Shaun Barker and coxswains Marie Lang and Tess Preston.