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Minehead Annuel Sea Row
Exmouth Rowing Club engaged themselves over the weekend in two rowing regattas, in each representing the town to a high standard. On Saturday a small squad attended the Totnes Regatta to take part in its round of the West of England championships. This is always a highly competitive event with the athletes being encouraged by the close proximity of the supporting crowd. The atmosphere created by the rising hills reaching up from the historic River Dart is similar to that of the gladiator ring. The weather also played its part with all-round calm conditions providing a fast course.
The events were ran over a 1000 meter sprint course, and attracted a record entrance from clubs including Dartmouth, Paignton, Granville College, Falmouth, Plymouth, Bideford Reds & Blues, Exeter, Cardiff, and Totnes. Mike Drew, Rob Williams, Sam Malloy, Chris Long, Charlie Angel, and Jack Pearce represented Exmouth,
Exmouth’s two victories of the day came from veteran Mike Drew in his single skull. Pearce and Angel also took a win in the Junior 18 Double Skull. The experienced men’s crew of Williams, Malloy, Long, Pearce, this time coxed by Angel were still unable to get clear of the Senior C class, on the day only able to secure a 3rd. Ironically they went on to compete in Senior B and still managed to secure a 3rd, so clearly will remain competitive in that class once promoted.
On Sunday a larger contingent from the club went to compete for the Townsmans Challenge Trophy in Minehead. This is an offshore rowing event staged on a rotational basis between Plymouth, Watchet, Exmouth, and Minehead. A full cross-section of the club from teens to pensioners turned out to represent the club, and was also well supported by its committee and friends who turned out in support.
The events were rowed over a four kilometre course set out around three marker buoys, with the start/finish line being set at the entrance to the small harbour. With this configuration the competing boats remained in site throughout providing an entertaining spectacle for the general public.
Entertainment was in the plenty with every race having incident and controversy, mainly due to the rowing conditions. Although the day remained dry, throughout there was considerable cloud cover, and a stiff breeze blowing up the Bristol Channel. Boats were being started from the calm of the harbour and quickly finding themselves in high waves and the strong wind, challenging for the rowers and very much so for the coxes trying to control the boats.
The men’s event was the first to be launched, in which Sam Malloy, Rob Williams, Loris Hayward, and talented newcomer Mick Mullholland represented Exmouth. Rachel Tarr, also new to this role, coxed them. Unfortunately within a short distance from the start the Exmouth boat was clearly having problems with steerage, the boat veered over to the right and was heading for the beach. The audience watched as they struggles to regain control. It appeared they had been thrown of course by the combination of a hard-hitting wave, and the wind. This was a levelling experience to say the least for Rachel who did eventually regain control and set the boat on course for the first marker. By this time the Minehead boat had established a ten-boat length lead with Plymouth running a close second. Having re-established control of the boat all that was left to do was call on the power of the crew that was there in abundance. By the second marker Exmouth had hauled in the Plymouth boat taking them just after the turn, this left a clear run into the finish line with only the Minehead boat in the way of victory. Exmouth managed to take the lead about 100 meters from the line, securing the win by a boat length, and giving the crowd plenty to shout about.
The ladies race came next. It should be understood that offshore rowing is a very social affair, getting boats on the water and having them rowed is always the priority. On the day there was a shortage of lady crews, thus leaving spare boats. These were crewed and shared by anyone else wanting additional rowes, but were none competing, two such boats were launched with the ladies race. Exmouth was represented by Jill Lees, Rachel Tarr, Allie Giles, Anna Childs, and coxed by Bob Board. The race started but again within a short distance the Exmouth boat hit a wave that threw it off course, it took a little time to get it back on line, by which time the Minehead boat had pulled out a short lead. However they powered on and were back in contention at the first buoy. The cox made an excellent manoeuvre cutting a sharp turn on the inside of the from which they came away with the first signs of a lead. They cleared the second mark without incident and by now had a four-boat length lead. Unfortunately though on this turn a none competing boat collided with Minehead, leaving the umpire no option other than to stop the race. It was however was restarted from that point with Exmouth allowed i
