Bideford Reds shine at South Coast Rowing Champs

The 2024 South Coast Rowing Championships were held on Southampton Water and based at the Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton.

The event attracted 194 entries from the clubs of the three member Associations; Hants & Dorset ARA; Coast ARA (Kent and Sussex); and the West of England ARA (Devon, Cornwall and Somerset). The Championship events were made up of Championship winners and runners-up of their respective Association.

The Reds of Bideford Amateur Rowing Club had four crews qualified for three championship races, and despite the tough conditions and challenging rowing, it was a fantastic event. The junior championship crew finished in 4th place, after a strong finish. Crew: Ricky Syvret, Alex Rowland, Glyn Brown, Oscar Cavill, Grace Farrell (Cox).

The junior-senior championship crew battled all the way down the course but were just pipped on the line to finish in 4th. Crew: Luis Wilkins, Mark Symons, Alex Rowland, Charlie Colwill, Grace Farrell (Cox).

The final event of the day was the Senior championship race. Two crews raced for the Reds. The A crew finished in 4th, whilst the B crew finished in 5th. A Crew: Ross Bennett, Mark Symons, Luis Wilkins, Oscar Cavill, Grace Farrell (Cox) B Crew: Chris Thorne, Ricky Syvret, Alex Rowland, Charlie Colwill, and thank you to Megan from Coalporters for coxing!

The regatta started with calm conditions over the 1800 metre course but, as the day progressed and the tide turned, the water roughened but not enough to affect the class of rowing boat used by the home Association. As planned, at the end of the programme the course was shortened to 900 metres for the Junior events.

The Men’s Senior coxed fours, which always is the supreme event as crews race for the magnificent Bideford Bowl, was indeed outstanding with an extremely close finish with just two or three lengths separating winners Deal and Lymington and Southampton Coalporters.

The trophies and medals were presented to the winners by Matt Aldridge who started rowing with Christchurch Rowing Club progressing to the GB rowing squad. At the recent Paris Olympics, Matt was a member of the Men’s four that won Olympic Bronze.