This Regatta is held once a year at the end of the Hants & Dorset ARA racing season to provide 11 to 16 year old boys & girls the opportunity to compete at a Regatta in their respective age groups under official racing rules, for many it will be their first ever taste of competition.
37 Races were conducted over a straight course on the Itchen river for the various age groups during the day for these young competitors under the watchful eyes of the Hants & Dorset Officials.
Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club sponsored by Advanced Automotive were the only Island Club competing on Saturday against 9 mainland Clubs where they had a really successful day collecting two 1st, four 2nd and a 3rd place finishes.
Daisy & Emily Faithfull competed in the Girls J15 Double Sculls, this was 13 year old Emily's first ever Regatta and these two sisters rowed a superb Final to take the win by half a length over 2nd placed Coalporters.
Daisy & Emily also competed with Juliette Wrixon & Rebecca Nigh in the Girls J15 coxed Fours Final, they had a slow start but rowing with conviction challenged the leaders to eventually take the 2nd place podium spot behind the winning Poole crew.
Rebecca joined Juliette for the Girls J16 Double Sculls final against BTC & Poole another exciting race where they rowed superbly challenging for the lead but were just beaten on the finish line to take 2nd place.
Rebecca also competed in the Girls J16 single sculls final against scullers from Itchen & BCS clubs, she rowed with confidence and crossed the finish line in 2nd place.
In the Boys J15 coastal sculls final Joe Robertson found himself up against Lymington and Coalporters which resulted in a re-row in which Joe produced a powerful performance and forged ahead in style to take a superb win.
The Boys J12 Double sculls Final saw Shanklin's youngest competitors Ethan Walters & Riley Horrix race against two crews from BCS, this turned out to be an exciting race as the three boys fought eagerly for the lead and having rowed extremely well Ethan & Riley took the 2nd podium place.
Ethan & Riley joined two young boys from the Itchen Imperial Club to make a composite crew in the last race of the day the Boys J14 coxed Quad Final against Lymington & BTC, they put in a strong performance and took the 3rd podium place. These young competitors are a credit to their Club, the Island and will be successful competitive rowers in future years.