Hastings & St. Leonards Rowing Club

Viking Shield Pre Season Regatta--- Herne Bay 2004

Highly encouraging start to the 2004 Season!

(Report by our Cub reporter Mr Steve Callar)

Congratulations to Herne Bay Rowing Club on running a fine regatta which was very well attended!

It was an anxious Hastings Rowing Club which attended the Viking Shield the first regatta of the 2004 season as it would be the first indication of whether all the Winter training has been worthwhile.

The first race was the Junior Sculls. However to the relief of our entrant, Mark King , a re- row was called due to fishing nets on the course. While Mark rested the Novice IV's was rowed.

Our crew of Roger Roberts, George Cullingford, Brian Hempstead and John Crowther was coxed by the ever young Mr Paul Knight. After a moderate start they reached the dans in second place, however a collision knocked John off his seat and reduced the crew to a good third position.

Novice IV's were unfortunate to come only 3rd. Sorry for the quality of the pix but the sun was straight down the course!

Next was Mark King in his re-row of the Junior Sculls. Mark after some strange navigating finished a creditable 3rd out of ten.

Junior Ladies took to the water. Ella's regular pair partner, Mandy was unwell and so we were lucky that Kathy Roper agreed to take her place. Kathy an expert river oarswomen was nervous at her first sea regatta . However guided by Ella they ploughed through a more experienced field to finish an excellent third. Well done Ladies!!!

Next up were the Junior IV's. Had the crew of Steve Callar, George Cullingford, Greg Duke and Ben Muggridge coxed by Fiona Knight done enough training; and had their high altitude training camp on the Isle of Wight paid off?
After a start that they need to comprehend let alone practice, they had to go from eighth to the front, before the next skill piece, the turns, which only saw them fall from first to fourth.!
Good rowing on the home run eased them into poll position and in the end a win by half a length from Herne Bay. A fantastic achievemment and a great encouragement for the 2004 season!

Congratulations on an excellent 1st place to the Junior IV's !!!!!

Senior Sculls saw Paul Knight come in a creditable fourth, despite limited boat training. If you've got it , you've got it!!

Novice sculls saw Mark King improve, except his navigating, to a second place. Well done Mark!! Could this be Mark's year for pressies!

And lastly Junior Pairs which saw four winners Steve Callar and Greg Duke (in only his second regatta) power into second place.

A Gold, two silvers and 3 bronzes on the day maybe this will be Hasting's season!!

Worthing next week.

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