The Dorset Indoor Rowing Championships has become a welcome annual fixture in the calendar. This year it took place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of November allowing the participating athletes to spread the pain across three days.
The event brings people of all ages together to compete virtually in a variety of indoor rowing competitions. This year, the event had a record number of entries, hosting competitors from as far as Finland, the USA, France, Norway and Holland. The large number of participants made for some really close racing, some rowers missing out on a medal by less than a second.
Junior boys and girls categories included Under 14’s, 15’s, 16’s and 18’s and junior entrants submitted some incredible 500m times
Men’s and Women’s heavyweight, lightweight and adaptive categories accommodated all ages from 18 years to the over 70’s, with individuals competing over 500m and 2k distances.
It was very encouraging to see so many gig clubs participating in the Dorset Indoor Rowing Championships in its fourth year. Seeing many personal and season bests, it marks a very positive start to the winter season.
Particular highlights of the event were the team races. A lot of gig clubs used the opportunity to showcase their crews’ resilience and endurance on the ergo. Teams consisted of 4 rowers, each having to complete a 5k in the fastest time possible. Individual times were then combined, giving an overall 20k finish time.
Stand out performances in the women’s team event were Ilfracombe, who secured 1st place by completing 20k in 81 minutes and 36.7 seconds. Cotehele Quay A were hot on their heels in 2nd, just 20 seconds behind, and Cotehele B came third, demonstrating the breadth of their women’s squad.
Katie Frost, member of Ilfracombe women’s team said “We always enjoy taking part in the Dorset indoor comp, it’s such a well organised event and gets us all on the ergs!”.
Cotehele Quay’s Wendy McClean said “CQGC ladies were pleased with their close 2nd and 3rd places, having motivated each other with some friendly rivalry which resulted in six rowers achieving 5k personal bests.”
Ilfracombe, Bude and Lyme Regis missed out on podium positions but enjoyed close racing, all finishing at around the 71 minute mark within 1 minute of each other!
The mixed category also saw some impressive performances from our gig clubs, with Ilfracombe A, finishing in 1st and Bristol finishing in 3rd.
Well done to all participating the clubs including Portishead, Poole, Portland, Weymouth, Rowhedge and Age Against the Machine (run by, and containing many gig rowers). We look forward to next year’s racing!
Photo credit: Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club and Carl Haslam.
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