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Bideford Head Race 2008
The River Toridge was the venue set for the Head of the River race at Bideford, over a 4.25 kilometre course. This was the last of the head races which are so called because each event is held at the head of a river. They are all of some distance and held prior the main regattas, giving crews and individuals the chance to check each other out prior to the summer season to come. They also differ in that they are timed events as opposed to races.
Regardless of an early start participants came from Totnes, Plymouth, Paignton, Falmouth, Exeter, Torquay, Falmouth, Grenville Gollege, Exmouth, and both of the Bideford Clubs.
The event was greeted by magnificent weather with a light mist holding on the river and up the valley to start with but soon being burnt off by bright sunshine and a light whisper of breeze that remained throughout the day. It was hats, and ice cream for the spectators, but plenty of water and sun cream for the competitors as the temperatures rose.
The water remained calm throughout with the first mornings session rowing against a moderate tidal flow. Unfortunately Exmouth had to scratch one of its young scullers from the race due to technical problems with the boat. But from this section came Exmouth’s only success of the day, with the relatively new pairing of Chris Long, and Jack Pearce in the Men’s Open Double Scull, they overcame a tactical manoeuvre from another crew that forced them to the outer edge of a bend and still took victory in 20.11 minutes. Also in the session was Rob Williams who came seventh in his single scull.
The afternoon session was with a light tidal flow, and Exmouth’s only interest was in its Men’s Senior C Crew. With some members unavailable this was a scratch crew of Chris Long, Marcus Bowyer, Rob Williams, Jack Pearce, and Ed Pearce. An experienced Plymouth University Crew with the local Bideford Reds Crew snatching second from Exmouth by three seconds won this event.
