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World Coastal Rowing Championships 2009
Nearly 500 athletes including Olympians and national champions from 22 nations gathered at Plymouth for the recent World Club Offshore Rowing Championships, this included four quad crews and a double from Exmouth Rowing Club. The championship was held over a three-day period from 23-25 October, with events held over an 8-kilometre course in Plymouth Sound.
The weather and water conditions played a major part with a building southerly wind whipping up a high swell, and blowing in squalls for the entire weekend. This caused a nightmare for the hosts Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club, who had to work with officials from the World Governing Body F.I.S.A. to stage the event. Safety was always a top priority, and caused four course changes throughout the event. Some events were even cancelled.
Day one saw the first launch of Exmouth with a quad crew of Rob Williams, Michael Mulholland, Duncan Biggs, James Ashby, and Cox Les Norcliffe. In the first heat of the men’s event they qualified for the B Final. Later in the day the crew of Charlie Angel, Sam Malloy, Chris Long, Jack Pearce, and Cox Ed Pearce launched in the second heat and qualified for the A Final. Both crews battled the full force of the conditions with the course at that time venturing out to the seaward side of the breakwater. The Exmouth Men’s pairing of Robert Kathro and Nick Bourne also launched onto the same course and qualified for the B Final.
Day two was to be the main day for all the main event finals. The crews for the Men’s B Final quads launched to the start line but were sent back when all events were suspended due to weather conditions. After further meetings and briefings all B Finals were suspended, and in the end were never launched. The men’s A Final Quads were launched into heavy seas on a modified course where the Exmouth crew of Long, Malloy, Angel, Pearce and Pearce secured a world ranking of 13th. This was a remarkable result for the crew who were rowing in the clubs 15year old boats that are known to be at least 50kilo heavier than any of there rivals. The men’s A Double and Single events by this time had launched, but were returned when events were again suspended.
The single and double events were launched onto a shorter inshore course making up the distance by completing two laps. It was however decided to send the ladies quad event out once again onto the main course. This event included two Exmouth crews of Alison Giles, Caroline Huxley, Anna Childs, Rachel Tarr and Cox, Mike Drew. They secured a World Ranking of 15th. The Second crew of Stina Pursey, Alison Martinaue, Phoebe Hall, Kate Hurley, and Cox Les Norcliffe finished 19th. Both crews battled through heavy sea conditions, with coxes not only steering but also bailing throughout the entire course.
To quote the words of Jeff Hammond the event President, all were welcomed in the spirit of friendship, in the spirit of brotherhood, and in the spirit of true competition. Despite the weather and water conditions all participants and supporters fully embraced this ethos, creating a wonderful atmosphere for the entire event. All Exmouth participants represented the town to the highest standard with some finding strength and stamina they never previously knew they had.
Exmouth Rowing Club is located behind the old Lifeboat Station and welcomes members of all ages at 10am on Sunday Mornings.
