BTC Spring Head and Junior Inter Regional Trails. Saturday, 29th March 2025

Saturday saw the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club compete in the BTC spring head on the Itchen river in Southampton over a  4.5k course in two divisions.

In division one Ryde entered a Junior Senior crew comprising of Issac Gibson, Joe Roberts, Paddy Kearney and Charlie Watts and coxed by Mai Read. They had an encouraging race coming a close 2nd to a crew from a status above.

Next was a Coastal Junior crew of Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Lukas Georgiou, and Ben Robotham with Ruby Read coxing. This was their 1st taste of racing this season after an equipment malfunction last time. In a strong field they came an excellent 3rd which bodes well for the Regatta season.

Highlight of the day for the club was the J16 double scull of Max Locke and Joe Bird won raced superbly to win their section.

In Division two the Club had 2 crews - a J16 coxed quad of Reuben Rook, Charlie Watts, Joe Bird and Max Locke coxed by Harry Watts. They also won their status against limited competition but still raced really well.

A Junior pair of Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth raced in a competitive section where a 3rd place behind Newport was an excellent result for them and is encouraging for the season.

Also, on Saturday one of the Clubs J16 Girls, Alexis Owen was involved in trials for Regional representation at the prestigious Junior Inter Regional Regatta in Nottingham on Saturday 26th April. Alexis and her partner rowing as a composite crew in a borrowed double scull and with no time together to practice won through a very hard fought row off  after a re-row to gain place in the team. She joins Ryde Club member Charlie Watts – who has been selected for the team in the J16 Boys Single sculls  - to give the club two members representing the region. 

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial – 2nd March.

The final Time Trial of the winter took place last Sunday in perfect early spring conditions. It was good to see crews that performed well in the earlier events carrying through their consistency to this latest test.  In Division 1, rowing the longer 3450m course against the tide, there was another strong performance from Simon Nevitt from Shanklin, with a percentage of gold medal time (GMT) of 65%.  Newport's Men's Junior 4 crew had the fastest time in the Division of 15.47, being 64% of GMT.

Division 2, over the shorter 1750m course, was rowed with the tide, which produced faster overall times. The young scullers from Ryde (Charlie Watts U16) and Shanklin (Connie Batley-Smith U14) replicated their performances from the February trial and again had the best percentage of GMT at 75% and 74% respectively. The Newport Junior Men's crew also had the fastest time in the Division of 7.06, but close behind them were the Ryde U16 4 with a time of 7.10. 

The island clubs are now looking forward to larger competitions later this month in Southampton, where they can test the success of their winter training against wider competition.  

Ryde Results – Div 1. (3,400m). C.Op.Junior Senior.4+. 1st. C.Op.Junior.4+.2nd. Mens Op.Junior.4+.3rd. C.W.Novice.2x.1st. Div 2. (1,750m) - C.Op.Junior.2-.1st. W.J16.1x.1st. C.Op.Mixed.4+.1st. C.W.MasC.4+.1st. C.Op.Junior.2-.1st. C.Op.Senior.2-.1st. Op.J16.1x.1st. Op.J16.4+.1st.

.

Div 2. (1,750m)

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial - 1st February.

IOW Rowing Forum Time Trial - 1st February.

The three island rowing clubs combined to run the first time trial on the River Medina of 2025. The calm conditions were perfect for rowing. Division 1, over the 3400m distance, was rowed against the tide. The fastest men’s time of the day of 15.34 min came from the Newport coxless four.  The best performance across the men’s crews, in terms of percentage of gold medal standard came from Ryde’s coxed four, at 64%, just beating the Newport crew by 1%. Newport’s Novice Women were the quickest women’s crew in a time of 18.30.

Division 2 was rowed with the tide, and over the shorter 1750m distance. The fastest men’s time of the day was posted by Ryde’s J16 youngsters rowing a coxed quad in a time of 6.44min. The fastest women’s crew was Shanklin Masters rowing a coastal four in a time of 7.14. The best performance of the day in terms of percentage of gold medal pace went to Charlie Watts of Ryde, who sculled the second division course in 6.52 min, being 82% of gold medal standard. Other outstanding sculling performances came from Shanklin Masters sculler Simon Nevitt, who achieved 78% of gold medal pace, and Chloe Batley-Smith, a J14 sculler, who achieved 79% of gold medal pace.

Ryde Results – Div 1. (3,400m). C.W. Junior 4+. 1st. C.W. MasC. 4+. 1st.. Op.Junior Senior 4+. 1st..Op.Junior 4+. 1st. Op.Novice 4+. 1st..

Div 2. (1,750m). C.Op.Junior.2-. 2nd. C.Op.Novice.(Roberts). 1x. 1st. C.Op.Novice.(Kearney). 1x. 2nd. C.W.Novice 4+.2nd. Op.J16.4x+.1st. Op.J18.4+.1st. Op.Novice.1x.(Watts).1st. Op.Novice.1x.(Georgiou).2nd. W.Novice.2x.1st. W.Senior.4+.1st

Southampton Coastal Head of the River Race, Saturday, 15th March 2025.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the first Hants & Dorset ARA Fixture of the season on Saturday (March 15th) – the Southampton Head of the River Race, a processional race, in two divisions, over approx. 4,300m on the River Itchen in Southampton.

In Division One the Clubs Junior-Senior Four of Isaac Gibson, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts and Mai Read coxing rowed well  to finish 2nd in their section. There was disappointment for the Clubs Coastal Junior A Crew of Lucas Georgiou, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis with Ruby Read coxing who suffered from a broken seat and did not finish the race but the Coastal Junior B Crew of Joe Bird, Cameron D’Arcy, Ruben Rook, Max Locke and  Harry Watts coxing finished 9th in this section. The final crew from Ryde racing in Division one as a women’s double scull Emily Kellerman and Alexia Owen who raced really well to finish 3rd in their section against older and more experienced competition.

In the second division a mixed coxed four of Eva Gordon, Isaac Gibson, Camern Darcy and , Fiona Owen with Harry Watts coxing again finished 1st in their section. The Club had two open coxless pairs racing in this division – the A Crew of Paddy Kearney and Joe Roberts finishing in 5th place and the B Crew of Lars Groothuis and Yogi Ashworth finishing in 7th place. The final Ryde “crew” in the division was Charlie Watts a J16 sculler who finished 3rd in the section behind two Senior Oarsman from the Coast Amateur Rowing Association.

Ryde Rowing Club Christmas Row.

Around thirty active members of the Wightlink Sponsored Ryde Rowing Club were involved in a Christmas row on the River Medina on Saturday 28th December 2024. A mix of Club members - old and new, male and female spanning a range of ages took to the water in a range of coastal and River Fours in ideal conditions. 

The club would like to acknowledge and thank the management and staff of the Folly Inn for their support and cooperation during the session where we boated from the slipway next to the Public House.

IWRF Time Trial. Saturday, 30th November 2024.

IWRF Time Trial. Saturday, 30th November 2024.

Newport Rowing Club hosted the first of the Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Time Trials of the winter on Saturday 30th November 2024. Raced over two division on the River Medina – the First Division was over a distance of 3,400m and the 2nd Division over a shorter 1,750m course. Both races were processional with crews and scullers racing in various and categories for both males and females – with some crews mixed.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde had four crews competing in the First division and recorded three category wins – and in the 2nd division the Ryde Club had five crews and three single scullers and recorded six category wins.

Ryde Results –

Division 1. 3,400m.

Open Junior Senior 4+. Isaac Gibson, Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts, Harry Watts (Cox). 14:02.17. 1st In section. Fastest Boat in Division.

Open Junior 4+. Lukas Georgiou, Ben Robotham, Lars Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Ruby Read (Cox). 15:12.35. 1st in Section.

Men’s Novice 4+. Cameron D’Arcy, Finn Diffey, Freddie Hayler, Max Locke, Dexter Robson (Cox). 15:49.43. 1st in Section.

Woman’s J18. 2x. Emily Kellerman, Mai Read. 18:50.33. 1st in Section.

Division 2. 1,750m.

Coastal Junior 2-. Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis. 08:05.48. 1st in Section.

Coastal Novice. Single Scull. A. Lucas Georgiou. 08:11.70. 1st in Section.

B. Lars Groothuis. 08:44.62. 2nd in Section.

Coastal Women’s Novice 4+. Megan Bradley, Amy Nicholls-Taylor, Carla Jenkins, Fiona Owen. Graham Reeve (Cox). 09:56.24. 2nd in Section.

Open J15 2x. Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke. 07:42.20. 1st in Section.

Open J18 2x. Finn Diffey, Ben Robotham. 07:41.95. 1st in Section.

Open J18 Mixed 4+. Eva Freddie Hayler, Isaac Gibson, Emily Kellerman, Rosie Morris (Cox). 07:32.22. 1st in Section.

Open Novice Single Scull. Joe Roberts. 07:15.77. 1st in Section.

Did not start – Open Novice Single Scull. B. Paddy Kearney and Women’s J16 Sigle Scull. Mai Read.

Ryde R. C. Annual General Meeting, Friday 15th November and Awards Night, Saturday, 23rd November 2024.

Ryde R. C. Annual General Meeting, Friday 15th November and Awards Night, Saturday, 23rd November 2024.

AGM

Ryde Rowing Club held their Annual General Meeting at their Appley Park Clubhouse on Friday, 15th November 2024. Following a report on the year by the Club Secretary Darrell Reeve and the Financial report by Financial Secretary Dave Redstone the annual election of Executive Officers, General Committee and the Bar Committee took place.

Steve Cook was re-elected Club President, Paddy Kearney was elected Club Captain replacing Ben Sanderson who stepped down with Isaac Gibson replacing Paddy Kernary as Vice/Rowing Captain. Dave Redstone stood down as  Financial Secretary and was replaced by Abi Locke and Darrell Reeve was re-elected Club Secretary with Chris Groves re-elected as the Assistant Secretary.

Members of the General Committee were then elected with – Steve Bull, Jo Smith, Jo Gibson and Dave Redstone elected to serve until November 2026  joining Stephanie Hickman, Josie Bull, Peter Gibson and Miles Watts who were already serving until November 2025. Finally, the Bar Committee was elected – with Steve Bull as Chairman, Dave Redstone as Bar Manager, Josie Bull as Assistant Bar Manager and Chris Groves as Secretary with a Committee member remaining vacant.

A small adjustment to the Club's rates of subscription were then agreed and new rules on the Clubs privacy policies agreed. 

Awards Night.

On Saturday (23rd November 2024) the Club held its Annual Presentation of Awards with over seventy members and guests in attendance at their Appley Park Clubhouse. After the newly elected Club Captain Paddy Kearney had welcomed everyone the Event organiser – Jo Gibson – thanked the Clubs main sponsors – Wightlink - and then presented a summary of the Clubs activities in 2024 - helped by a number of the Clubs Junior oarsmen and women, which included reporting on the thirty-three wins in Hants & Dorset ARA events and twenty-two 2nd places including the Open Mens Junior Senior Fours at the South Coast Championship Regatta in September. During the season their were wins for the Club at Mens Coastal Junior Fours, Mens Novice Coastal Fours, Ladies Novice Coastal Fours, Open Mens River Coxed Four, Open Novice River Coxed Four, Women's Masters Coxed Four, Open Double Sculls, Open Single Sculls, Boys J16 Coxed Quads, Boys J16 River Four, Girls J16 Coxed Quad, J18 Coastal Double, Boys J16 River Double, Boys J16 River Single and J15 Single Sculls.

The Club's retiring Captain Ben Sanderson and new Captain Paddy Kearney then presented the Club Awards – with Traditional “First H&D ARA Rowing Win for Club” Spoons to – Maggie Sanderson, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman, Mai Read, Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Joe Roberts, Joe Bird and Lottie Pettitt. The 1st Year Oars lady Award went to  Emily Kellerman and and the 1st Year Oarsman to  Finn Diffey. The Coxswain’s Cup was awarded jointly to Harry Watts and Ruby Reid. The Oars lady of the Year Trophy was presented to  Alexis Owen    and the Oarsman of the year to Joe Roberts. The Coach’s Cup was awarded to Joe Bird. The Committee Cup was presented to Ben Rowbotham with the Captains Cup going to Maggie Sanderson and the Cadet Rep Trophy to Lars Groothuis.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Regatta. Shanklin Rowing Club. Sunday, 17th November 2024.

Isle of Wight Rowing Forum Indoor Rowing Regatta. Shanklin Rowing Club. Sunday, 17th November 2024.

Senior & Junior Members of the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Isle of Wight Forum Indoor Rowing Championships hosted by Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club on Sunday, 17th November 2024. Ryde members competed in the following events - Year 7 Boys – over 2 mins, Year 8 Boys – over 3 mins, Year 10 Boys – over 5 mins, Year 11 Girls – over 6 mins, Year 11 Boys – over 6 mins, Year 12 Girls – over 2000m, Year 12 Boys over 2000m, Year 13 Boys – over 2000m, Male Adults – over 2000m and Female Masters – over 2000m. Ryde members had wins at Boys year 13 - Joe Roberts, Boys Year 12 – Isaac Gibson, Female Masters – Fiona Owen, Year 10 Boys – Cameron D’Arcy, Year 11 Girls – Alexis Owen and Year 11 boys – Charlie Watts. They also came first in the adult’s relay and 2nd in the Junior Relay.

Ryde Results –

Girls 2K – Adults and Year 12/13.

Emily Kellerman. 3rd. 8.38.9

Boys Year 13. 2000m

Joe Roberts. 1st. 6.50.0

Ben Robotham. 2nd. 8.02.4

Boys Year 12. 2000m.

Isaac Gibson. 1st. 6.57.4

Lars Groothuis. 3rd. 7.18.8

Lukas Georgiou. 4th. 7.21.1

Masters and Male Adults.

Paddy Kearney. 3rd. 7.11.5

Female Masters.

Fiona Owen. 1st. 7.47.5

Year 10 Boys. 5 mins.

Cameron D’Arcy. 1st. 1381m

Joe Bird.  2nd. 1328m.

Max Locke. 4th. 1308m

Year 11 Girls.

Alexis Owen. 1st. 1479m.

Year 11 Boys.

Charlie Watts. 1st 1755m

Finn Diffey. 2nd. 1624m

Year 8 Boys.

Dexter Robson. 2nd. 699m

Harry Watts. 3rd. 691m

Adults Relay.

RRC. 1st. 10.29.

Junior Relay.

RRC.  2nd. 6.58.3

Dorney Lake Training Day, Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Dorney Lake Training Day, Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Eight of Ryde J16 oarsmen/women attended a Training day at the 2000 Olympic Venue of Dorney Lake, Eton, on Wednesday 30th October. They had two sessions on the Lake in Single Sculls and doubles as part of preparation for and possible inclusion in the 2025 GB Inter Regionals Regatta Team representing the Wessex Regional Rowing Council. The Ryde oarsman/women involved were Joe Bird, Emily Kelleramn, Max Locke, Cameron D’Arcy, Fin Diffey, Mai Read and Charlie watts with Miles Watts, Ruby Reid and Harry Watts providing support and Wightlink providing cross solent travel for the Clubs Minibus and Trailer.

Newport Head of the Medina. Saturday, 5th October 2024.

Newport Head of the Medina. Saturday, 5th October 2024.

Saturday saw Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club enter its first Head Race of the winter season. The Head of the River Medina is a 3.5k processional race hosted by Newport Rowing Club. The race began at Newport Rowing Club and headed towards Cowes finishing near Kingston Marina. The race attracted a good level of entries in many categories and was well supported by mainland crews from Poole and Southampton Rowing Clubs. The day was bright and sunny if a bit windy which made conditions challenging for the entrants.

In Division one there were mainly smaller type boats with single sculls and pairs/doubles entered. Ryde Crews and Scullers performed well. Ryde had six scullers competing in the Open Single sculls with Charlie Watts winning the section, Joe Robers finishing 2nd, Isaac Gibson, 4th, Lars Groothuis 5th, Ben Robotham 6th and Paddy Kearney 8th. Joe Bird and Max Locke competing in an Open Double Scull also finished 1st in their section. Another section winner came from Ryde’s J16 Coxed Four of Ruben Rook, Locas Georgiou, Cameon D’Arcy, Fin Diffey and coxed by Dexter Robson. Alan Evans competed in the Open Coastal Masters C. Single Scull where he finished 2nd in his section with a similar result for a Women’s Coastal Coxless Pair of Mai Read & Emily Kellerman who also finished 2nd in their section. Finally in Division one was a newly formed Ryde Women’s Masters Coastal Coxed Four of Maggie Sanderson, Abi Locke, Lisa Murphy, Kirsty Robson with Rosie Watts coxing who also finished 1st in their section.

In Division two, which had mainly bigger 4's boats, the Ryde Club had an Open Men’s River Coxed Four competing of Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Lars Groothuis, Joe Bird with Ruby Read coxing who finished 1st in their section and an Open Men’s Coxless Four of Paddy Kearney, Joe Roberts, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts who finished 2nd. The Clubs Open Novice River Coxed Four of Reuben Rook, Lukas Georgiou, Cameron D’Arcy, and Max Locke with Harry Watts coxing finished 1st in their section and Club Women’s Master Four raced competed again in a coastal boat – again winning their section.  Finally, a Women’s Coastal J16 Coxed Four of Lottie Pettitt, Emily Kellerman, Niamh Murphy, Mai Read, with Dexter Robson Coxing raced again winning their section. The Club did have an Open Coastal Single Sculler competing in the 2nd Division - Finn Diffey – but unfortunately, he suffered an equipment failure and failed to finish the course.

A special mention should go to Dexter and Rosie who had their first taste of coxing a head race. Finally, a huge thanks to all the parents/carers who came along to support the Ryde crews for the event and to Newport Rowing Club for organising the event.

IItchen Junior Regatta. Saturday 28th September 2024.

Itchen Junior Regatta. Saturday 28th September 2024

Junior crews from the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed in the Itchen Imperial Rowing Clubs Junior Regatta on Saturday (28th September 2024) over a short 450 metre course on the River Itchen, Southampton. Racing was mainly in River boats, over the straight course with no racing turn for various categories and boat types for Boys and Girls from fourteen to sixteen years.

First afloat for Ryde was Isaac Gibson in the Boys J16 River Sculls for Novices who finished 2nd in his final.

Next afloat for the Club was Lottie Pettitt racing in the Girls J16 Sculls – who finished first in her heat and 3rd in the Final.

Ryde’s youngest crew – the Boys J14 River Double of Max Locke and Joe Bird were impeded in their race leading to a disqualification and a re-row where the young Ryde Crew finished in 2nd place.

Next It was the turn of Charlie Watts to compete in the Boys J16 Single Sculls where he finished 1st in his heat and went on to win the final relatively comfortably.

The Club had two crews in the Boys J16 River Double – the Clubs A Crew of Charlie Watts and Finn Diffey finishing 3rd in the Final which was won by the Clubs B Crew – a composite crew consisting of Newport’s Boris Hare and Ryde’s Isaac Gibson.

The Club's fours crew then took to the water – the Boys River Coxed Quad consisting of Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke, Isaac Gibson and Joe Bird, stroke, with Harry Watts, coxing who finished 1st in their heat and in the final.

Finally, the Boys J16 Coxed River Four of Fin Diffey, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts and Joe Bird, stroke, with Harry Watts coxing once again also finished 1st in their final in a close race

RRC Annual Awards Evening.

RRC ANNUAL AWARDS EVENING
on
SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2024 at 7:30pm AT THE CLUBHOUSE.

£10 PER TICKET (Buffet, Free Drink + Cash Draw)
QUIZ + RAFFLE ON THE NIGHT.

RSVP and PAYMENT by 03/11/24
To stephencbull@gmail.com
Account details;
Account; Ryde Rowing Club.
Sort Code 20-60-55
Account Number 53909484
Reference: Awards.

South Coast Rowing Championships & Junior Regatta. Saturday, 14th September 2024.

South Coast Rowing Championships & Junior Regatta. Saturday, 14th September 2014.

Crews from Ryde Rowing Club competed in the final event of the Hants & Dorset Season on Saturday (14th September 2024) – the 67th South Coast Rowing Championships Regatta and the 18th South Coast Junior Regatta, hosted by the Hants & Dorset Rowing Association at the Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton.

The South Coast Rowing Championships brings together the Champions of the Hants & Dorset ARA, the Coast ARA, and the West of England ARA for the six Championship events, the open events and the Junior Regatta and is the culmination of a long season for the competing clubs. The Championship regatta is staged in a three years cycle of the three South Coast Rowing Associations and this year it was the turn of the local Rowing Association – the Hants & Dorset ARA – to host the event. With over eight hundred competitors involved this year this was believed to be the largest Coastal Regatta of the year.

Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club had four crews competing in the open event and another three in the Junior Regatta.

The Open Men’s Junior Senior Four of Dale Buckett, Ben Sanderson, Will Hall, Paddy Kearney, and Harry Watts coxing comfortably won their event – the Club winning this Trophy for the third time in four years.

In the Men’s Open Junior Coastal event the club had two crews competing – the A Crew of Lars Groothuis, Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts, Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing once again comfortably won their heat – with the B Crew of Matt Groothuis, Yogi Ashworth, Ben Robotham, Joe Bird and Ruby Read Coxing finishing 3rd in their heat – just failing to make the final. In the final the A Crew raced really well to finish in second place.

The Ladies Coastal Junior Four of Abi Locke, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman, Mai Read, and Ruby Read coxing finished second in their heat to qualify for the finals where they raced well to finish in fourth place.

The Ryde Clubs Men’s Novice Crew of Reuben Rook, Finn Diffey, Lukas Georgiou, Max Locke with Lottie Pettitt coxing also qualified for their final by winning their heat – and finished third in the final.

In the Junior Regatta, raced over the shorter distance of 1000 meters all three of the Clubs Junior Crews entered reached their respective finals.

The Clubs Boys J16 Coxed Quad of Finn Diffey, Lars Groothuis, Isaac Gibson, and Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing finished third in their heat to qualify for the final but while in contention they had the misfortune to break a blade which put an end to their race.

In the Girls J16 Coxed Quad the Ryde crew of Lottie Pettitt, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman, Mai Read, Ruby Read coxing finished third in their heat to qualify for the final where they finished in fourth place.

The club’s final entry in the Junior Regatta – the Boys J14 Coxed Quad of Dexter Robson, Cameron D’Arcy, Max Locke, Joe Bird and Grace Hill from Poole coxing – racing for the Club for the first time in a J14 event - came 2nd in their heat to qualify for the final where the sculled really well to finish in 2nd place.

Hosting a South Coast Championships take a great deal of organisation and support and Ryde members made a major contribution to this with Steve & Josie Bull serving on the Organizing committee, Micky Jenner was afloat all day as a Race Marshal and Steve Cook acted as one of the Commentary Team  as well as other members who supported the organisation of the event.

Southsea Regatta. Saturday, 17th August 2024.

Southsea. 17th August 2024.

Crews & Scullers from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed, with a reasonable amount of success, at Southsea Regatta on Saturday (17th August) - the last regatta of the Hants & Dorset ARA season. Southsea is also and the only Coastal Regatta where Clubs from the Hants & Dorset ARA and the Coast Amateur Rowing Association meet – providing a useful guide to the South Coast Championship Regatta which this year is hosted by the Hants & Dorset ARA at the Royal Victoria Park, Netley, Southampton on Saturday, 14th September – which will probably be the next event the Ryde Club competes at.

Ryde had a men’s Coastal Junior Four of Ben Robotham, Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts, and Yogi Ashworth, coxed by Ruby Read competing, who rowed exceptionally well finishing 2nd in their heat to qualify for the final which they won in a close race to secure the Hants & Dorset ARA point making them one of two runners-up for the Hants & Dorset ARA Championship.

Further success came for the Clubs young Girls J16 Coxed Quad of Mai Read, Lottie Pettitt, Emily Kellerman, Alexis Owen coxed again by Ruby Read who won their race with comparative eaisley.

The Women’s Junior Coastal Four of Abi Locke, Emily Kellerman, Alexis Owen, Mai Read, and Ruby Read coxing once again also rowed exceptionally well to finish 3rd in the heat to qualify for the final where they once again finished in third place.

The Men’s Novice Four of Ruben Rook, Fin Diffey, Lucas Georgiou and Max Locke coxed by Lottie Pettitt were awarded 2nd  place in their final but launched a protest as the winning crew had taken their buoy – but the protest was not upheld – leaving Ryde in 2nd place – but the first Hants & Dorset ARA Club to finish giving them the Championship point and a share in the Hants & Dorset ARA Novice Fours Championship.

The Club also boated a Boys J16 Coxed Quad of Max Locke, Isaac Gibson, Lucas Georgiou, Joe Roberts, Fin Diffey and Dexter Robson Coxing who finished 5th in their Final.

In the coxless pairs events the Clubs Senior Pair of Paddy Kearney and Will Hall finished 6th in their final, the Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of Isaac Gibson and Joe Roberts rowed well to finish 3rd in final and the young Ladies Junior Pair of Alexis Owen and Emily Kellerman finished 8th In Final.

In the single sculling events Will Hall finished 4th in his heat qualifying for final where he sculled well to finish in 3rd place – the Club other Novice Sculler, Paddy Kearney, also qualified for the final with a 3rd place in his heat but could only manage 6th in the Final and in the Women’s Novice Sculls Lottie Pettitt finished 5th in her heat and did not qualify for final and Ryde’s other Women’s Novice Sculler, Mai Read, suffered a similar fate. 

Woolston Regatta Rerun. Sunday, 21st July 2024.

Ryde Rowing Club crews and scullers, sponsored by Wightlink, competed at the rerun of Woolston Regatta, hosted by Southampton Rowing Club, at Weston Shore, Southampton, on Sunday, 21st July following its postponement from 5th July.

In the Men’s J/S Four. The Ryde crew of Ben Sanderson, Will Hall, Dale Buckett, Paddy Kearney and Mai Read, coxing was narrowly beaten into 2nd place by the Association Champions from Southampton.

The Club had two Coastal Junior Fours competing – the A Crew of Lars Groothuis, Isaac Gibson, Joe Roberts and Charlie Watts with Harry Watts coxing raced really well to finish in 2nd place while the B Crew of Ben Rowbotham, Yogi Ashworth, Matt Groothuis and Joe Bird with Ruby Read coxing finished in 5th place.

The Men’s Novice Four of Max Locke, Cameron D’Arcy, Reuben Rock, Finn Diffey and Ruby Read coxing once again unfortunately failed to finish the race following a Clash with a Southampton Novice crew that left one of the Ryde Crew with slight concussion and damage to the Ryde Boat.

The Boys J16 of Max Locke, Cameron D’Arcy, Reuben Rook and Fin Diffey, and coxed by Ruby Read finished 2nd in their Final.

Two Mixed fours also competed – the A Crew of Mai Read, Lottie Pettitt, Paddy Kearney and Will Hall coxed by Harry Watts finished in 4th place and the B Crew of Yogi Ashworth, Ben Rowbotham, Maggie Sanderson and Alexis Owen coxed by Ruby Read finished in 9th place.

The Men’s Senior Pair of Paddy Kearney and Will Hall finished in 5th place and the Men’s Junior Pair. A Crew of Charlie Watts and Joe Roberts finished 3rd with the B Crew of Yogi Ashworth and Lars Groothuis finishing in 5th place.

In the Girls J16 Sculls Lottie Pettitt finished in 3rd place while Mai Read finished in 5th and in the Boys J16 Sculls Lars Groothuis finished in 5th place while Finn Diffey finished in 6th.

The young Ryde Coxswain – Harry Watts was awarded the Hants & Dorset cox of the day.

NEWPORT FOURS – 3rd August 2024 and NEWPORT SMALL and JUNIOR REGATTAS – 4th August 2024.

NEWPORT FOURS – 3rd August 2024 and NEWPORT SMALL and JUNIOR REGATTAS – 4th August 2024.

Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink, competed on the Island on Saturday and Sunday this week (Saturday, 3rd August and Sunday, 4th August) at Newport Rowing Clubs Regatta, held on the River Medina.

With a maximum of three boats being able to race at any one time in most event heats and a final were required over the straight Newport Course – with the coxed fours racing taking place over a straight 1500m course on the Saturday and racing for small boats and Junior crews taking place over a straight 1000m course on the Sunday

On the Saturday a men’s Junior Senior Four of Dale Buckett, Will Hall, Ben Sanderson and Paddy Kearney with Mai Read coxing finished 2nd in the Final after a very close race with Southampton.

In the men’s Coastal Junior Four the Ryde crew of Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Isaac Gibson, and Joe Roberts with Ruby Read coxing finished 3rd in the final.

The Ladies Coastal Junior Four of Abi Locke, Emily Kellerman, Alexis Owen, Mai Read with Ruby Read coxing once again finished 2nd in their heat just failing to make the final.

The Men’s Novice Fours of Max Locke, Lucas Georgiou, Reuben Rook and Finn Diffey, coxed by . Ruby Read (Cox) rowed well to finish 2nd in their final.

On the Sunday, in the Small Boats and Junior Regatta the Ryde J16 Boys Quad of Joe Bird, Max Locke, Fin Diffey and Lucas Georgiou with Dexter Robson making his competitive debut for the Club in the coxswain’s seat finished 2nd in the Final in a close race.

The Clubs Girls J16 Quad of Mia Read, Alexis Owen, Lottie Pettitt and with Emily Kellerman with Ruby Read coxing went one better finishing 1st in their final with a fine performance.

In the Men’s Senior Pairs Will Hall and Paddy Kearney finished 2nd in heat – just failing to make the final and in the Men’s Coastal Junior Pairs Isaac Gibson & Joe Roberts had an epic semi-final with all three crews in the event dead heating – forcing a re-row – which Ryde went on to win quite comfortably to claim a place in the final where they finished in 2nd place.

In the single sculls – Dale Buckett – finished 1st in his semi-final to claim a place in the final where he finished in 2nd place but there was disappointment for Ben Sanderson in the Coastal Junior single sculls where he finished 3rd in his heat – failing to make the final. In the Men’s Novice single sculls there was an excellent race from Yogi Ashworth who finished 1st in his heat and third in the final and the Novice Ladies Sculler – Ella Nicholls – finished 2nd in her heat – failing to make the final. Both of the Clubs Boys J16 Scullers – Joe Bird and Fin Diffey – finished 3rd in their respective heats – failing to make the final and the three Ryde Girl J16 Single Scullers – Lottie Pettitt, Mai Read and Alexis Owen all finished 2nd in their respective heats – failing to make the final.

Itchen Imperial Regatta. Saturday, 13th July 2024.

ITCHEN IMPERIAL REGATTA, Saturday, 13th July 20204.

Crews & Scullers from Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink IW Ferries, made the short trip to Southampton for the Itchen Imperial Rowing Club Regatta on Saturday (13th July 2024) held over a 1400 metre course on the river Itchen where crews and scullers compete in three boat races usually involving heats and a final for each event type.

In the Men’s Coastal Junior Fours, the Ryde A Crew of Lar Groothuis, Joe Bird, Isaac Gibson, Charlie Watts (Str) with Harry Watts coxing qualified for the final by Comfortably winning their heat and semi-final before being involved in the closest race of the day in the final against Southampton where the Ryde crew won by the narrowest of margins of less than a canvas. The Club Coastal Junior B Crew of Max Lock, Fin Diffey, Yogi Ashwood, Ben Robotham and Ruby Read coxing finished 2nd in their heat failing to make the next round although racing really well as this was their first race at the status following their promotion following their Novice Fours win at the recent Swanage Regatta.

Further success for the Ryde Club came from Lottie Pettitt – who raced and stroked a composite Ladies Novice Four crew with Shanklin Rowing Club finishing first in their Final. Lottie also competed in the Ladies Novice Sculls event where she won her heat but could only manage 2nd place in the semi-final failing to qualify for the final although producing a very spirited race. Mia Read was also due to race in the Ladies Novice sculls but had to withdraw due to illness the same fate befalling the Men’s Coastal Junior Sculler Ben Sanderson.

The newly formed men’s Novice Four with two oarsmen - Reuben Rook and Cameron D’Arcy and making their racing debut for the Club alongside Fin Diffey and Max Locke with Ruby Read coxing produced an encouraging performance finishing 3rd in their heat failing to make the final.

The Men’s Senior Pair of Paddy Kearney & Will Hall finished 2nd in their heat failing to make the final and the same fate befell the Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of Isaac Gibson & Charlie Watts and the Ladies Pair of Alexis Owen & Maggie Sanderson.

Finally in the Men’s Novice Sculls Paddy Kearney sculled really well to reach the final by winning his heat and the semi-final where - he was narrowly beaten into 2nd place, with Ryde’s other Novice Sculler, Will Hall going out in the heat.

Swanage Regatta. Saturday, 29nd June 2024.

Swanage Regatta. Saturday, 29nd June 2024.

Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink, took a large group of Competitors and supporters to Swanage Regatta on Saturday (29th June 2024) with four fours crews, two coxless pairs and four scullers competing.

Once again Swanage proved to be one of the most popular events in the Hants & Dorset ARA fixture list with a record entry of nearly 180 crews and scullers that required a record number of races to complete the program. The regatta is staged over a 1500m course, with a racing turn, in Swanage Bay. With no Hants & Dorset ARA Club in Swanage the Regatta is organised by volunteers from the Associations Clubs with Ryde playing their part by providing all the packed lunches for the Race Officials and safety boat crews as well as the Regatta coordinator Steve Bull and a Race Official - Mick Jenner.

The highlight for the Ryde Club was the performance of their MensNovice A Crew of Ben Robotham, Yogi Ashworth, Joe Roberts and Joe Bird, stroke with Harry Watts coxing – who dominated both their heat and the final finishing first in both and gaining promotion to Coastal Junior status.

Although that was the Clubs only win at the Regatta their crews and sculler achieved four second places to add to the nineteen 2nd places the Club has achieved at Hants & Dorset Regattas so far this season!

The Men’s Junior Senior Four of Ben Sanderson, Charlie Watts, Paddy Kearney and Will Hall, stroke with Mia Read coxing – were beaten into 2nd place by a canvas!

The Boys J16 Coxed Quad of Max Locke, Fin Diffy, Joe Bird, Charlie Watts, Stroke, with Ruby Reid coxing also finished 2nd in their final as did the Boys J16 Coxed Four of Joe Bird, Max Locke, Finn Diffey and Lottie Pettitt coxed by Harry Watts.

Another Ryde Crew to finish in 2nd place was the Coastal Junior Pair of Charlie Watts and Joe Roberts, Stroke, who finished 2nd in their heat and in the final.

The Ladies Coastal Junior Pair of Maggie Sanderson and Alexis Owen, making their competitive debut in this event, rowed well to finish in 5th place in their heat – failing to make the final.

In the single sculling events the Club Coastal Junior Sculler – Ben Sanderson finished 3rd in his final and Paddy Kearney racing in the Men’s Novice Sculls finished 2nd in his heat but such was the competition in this event only the heat winners qualified for the final. In the Ladies Novice Sculls Ryde’s two young scullers - Lottie Pettitt and Mai Read – both finished their heats in 3rd place – qualifying for the final where Lottie finished in 5th place and Mai in 6th.

Finally, the club entered a crew of Alesis Owen, Mai Read, Dan Sanderson and Ben Rowbotham, coxed by Ruby Read - in the final event of the day – the mixed fours - who finished in 5th place.

Ryde Regatta, Saturday, 8th June 2024. A Thank-you.

Ryde Regatta 2024 – a Thank-you.                                             

On behalf of the Officers, Committee and Regatta Committee of Ryde Rowing Club can I thank you all for your help at the recent Ryde Club Regatta – which was successfully completed on Saturday, 8th June 2024.

Without the help of many of our members and supporters with the tasks required over the regatta weekend and the generous donation of a stunning array of cakes - we would clearly struggle to run such a successful and popular event.  I am sure you will be pleased to hear that the Regatta was a great success both on and off the water and that several Clubs commented on how much they enjoyed the Ryde event and how they feel that it is the best Regatta in the Hants & Dorset Calendar.

The Regatta has also been a financial success and some hi-lights are indicated below for your interest.

Again, my thanks for your help and I hope we can rely on you again next year.

Steve Bull,

Regatta Secretary.

REGATTA FACTS:

The Regatta, including late entries, had an entry of 113 – 8 crews/scullers/ more than in 2023 and we started a little late and needed a full Regatta of eighteen events to complete the program which we managed with time for probably two more events before we lost the tide. Conditions were a little awkward although always rowable – with just three capsizes.

The regatta itself, less Bar & Catering, has made an estimated excess of income over expenditure of several hundred pounds. The Bar take over the weekend of the Regatta is provisionally - £2,637 – up on last year’s event and the BBQ, Refreshments, Teas & Coffees, Cakes, Pims, Raffle and Breakfasts on Sunday has provisionally taken £2,578 - well up on last year.

BTC Regatta. Saturday, 22nd June 2024.

BTC Regatta. Saturday, 22nd June 2024.

Ryde Rowing Club competed at the BTC Rowing Club Regatta at Western Shore, Woolston, Southampton on Saturday (22nd June 2024) with the IOW Festival having a small impact on the number of Ryde entries.

First afloat was the Boys J16 Quad of Lars Groothuis. Lucas Georgiou, Fin Diffey and Max Locke stroke and coxed by Ruby Read who suffered from an equipment failure but rowed well to finish 4th in their final.

Next was the Clubs young Ladies Novice single sculler Lottie Pettitt who unfortunately caught a rogue wave at the turn causing her to capsize however she did really well to get back into her scull and finish the race finishing in 4th place.

The Club Coastal Junior Sculler Ben Sanderson then raced in the Coastal Junior Single Sculls finishing 6th in his final.

Newly promoted, following their win at Coalporters Regatta the previous Saturday, the Ryde Ladies Coastal Junior Coxed Four of Maggie Sanderson, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman and Mai Read stroking with Ruby Read coxing raced really well to finish 4th in the heat in their first race at this status.

The Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of Isaac Gibson and Joe Roberts stroking achieved the Clubs best result of the day finishing 2nd in their final.

In the Men’s Novice Fours final, the young Ryde crew of Lucas Georgiou, Yogi Ashworth, Fin Diffey, Ben Robotham, stroke and Lottie Pettitt coxing will be slightly disappointed with their 4th place in the final.

The Ryde Club had two Novice Single Scullers racing with Paddy Kearney finishing in 3rd place and Lars Groothuis finishing in 5th in their Final.

In the Men’s Senior Pairs, the Ryde pair of Paddy Kearney and Will Hall finished in 5th place in their final.

The final event of the day was a non-status coxed fours mixed race where the Ryde Club entered one crew consisting of Lottie Pettitt, Joe Roberts, Isaac Gibson, Max Lock with Paddy Kearney coxing who finished 7th and a Composite Four with Poole with mother and son Maggie and Ben Sanderson combining with two members of Poole Rowing Club, coxed by Mia Read, of Ryde, who finished in 9th place.