Shanklin travelled to the first Hants and Dorset event of the season last weekend at Christchurch, for the Head of the Stour.
The event looked to be a non starter with thick fog covering the river, but as it quickly burned off the crews had chance to take to the water for the first time this season.
The event was a chance for the Ladies Novice Four to race in their first competitive event. The crew of Hannah Pain, Emily Andre, Stella Gamble, Emily Faithful and cox Lesley Walters were in a competitive field featuring the largest entry of the day. Despite this they put in a fantastic first ever row and finished a very respectable 6th out of 10 in a time of 13.53.
Also racing a Four was the mixed J16 boat of Joe Robertson, Henry Mudge, Jamie Gamble, Daisy Faithful and cox Lesley Walters. They had an excellent row in the their race eventually finished only 12 seconds by eventual winners Westover in a time of 13.14. Their time was faster than some Junior Fours on the water, putting into perspective the achievements of the crew.
Harry Miselbach took to the water in the Mens Junior Sculls. He was one of only two scullers in his event but faced stiff competition from the BTC sculler in his event. In an excellent row that saw several boats getting in his way Harry overtook the Senior sculler who started in front of him, but his time of 12.02 was not enough to beat the BTC sculler who eventually claimed fastest time of the day.
Alex Robertson took to the water in both Coastal and River Senior Sculls events. In Division One Robertson won the Coastal Senior Sculls in a time of 11.38, before taking to the water in the second divison where he faced three Christchurch scullers in the Mens Senior River sculls, despite traffic Robertson came home over half a minute faster than the next sculler in a time of 12.37 taking his second win of the day.
Shanklin would finally like to thank Ryde Rowing Club for helping to once again transport all our boats to the regatta, as well as Christchurch Rowing Club for lending boats and running yet another fantastic head race.
Some photos courtesy of Jane Maxwell (BTC) check out more of her awesome snaps on her facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/racingsnapsfromjane/?fref=ts