Appledore Celebrates Roadford Races Victory

What A Final Round!

Thank you to Adam Benjamin from Boscastle and Crackington for providing us with the following race report.

Heads in the boat. One up. And GO! 

The final round of the Roadford Races winter league took place on 20th April, with rowers from eight North Devon and Cornwall clubs straining every sinew to get their boats across the finish line ahead of the competition.

Photo credit: G&B Gig Photography

Just like the previous rounds, this regatta had it all – celebrations and commiserations; controversy and close finishes; and unfortunately injuries too.

Hosted again by Boscastle & Crackington Gig Club, the regatta followed a similar format to the previous fixtures in the series, with a full range of races run from Juniors right through to Masters.

Showing everyone how it’s done, the women of Barnstaple set the tone, winning the Masters race, with their Masters men coming in second in the next race. Appledore took the honours in the Men’s Masters, with Boscastle finishing third despite their stroke rower having to be swapped out of the boat during the row down to the start following a back spasm. A big shout-out to you Russ – we’ll do it for you in Scilly!

Racing continued thick and fast throughout the day, with Boscastle winning the Women’s Vets and Women’s Super Vets as well as the junior race. Huge credit must go to the Boscastle juniors who, were it not for a mix up with boats earlier in the series, would have taken home the overall honours for their category.

Photo credit: G&B Gig Photography

Coming into the final races, Appledore already had the overall series champions trophy in the bag, and were also winning on the day too. But the fight for second and third was much closer. In the end, our rivals from Bude took the advantage over Boscastle for second place overall, thanks to strong performances from their Men’s B, Men’s Vets and Women’s A crews. 

At the awards ceremony, as the last few burgers were devoured, Boscastle’s chair, Paul Cook, reflected upon the success of the first year of the Roadford Races: 

“It’s been an absolute blast. Four regattas – none cancelled because of the weather. Rowers from their teens to their seventies getting regular races in. This series has established a place on the gig-rowing calendar for years to come!”

Photo credit: G&B Gig Photography

Paul went on to thank the fantastic volunteers who give up their time to direct traffic, bake cakes, wash boats, officiate the races and keep score. Bude and Boscastle have loved hosting the winter series, so much so, we are already planning the events for next winter!

Bude, Boscastle, and all the rowers who have bent their oars over the winter would like to thank the South West Lakes Trust for agreeing to play host to our sport. Roadford might not give us five-foot waves, but it definitely delivers quality racing!

Winners:

Women’s A: Bude
Women’s B: Appledore
Women’s Vets: Boscastle & Crackington
Women’s Super Vets: Boscastle & Crackington
Women’s Masters: Barnstaple

Men’s A: Boscastle & Crackington
Men’s B: Bude
Men’s Vets: Appledore
Men’s Super Vets: Appledore
Men’s Masters: Appledore

Juniors: Boscastle & Crackington

Overall Results:

Appledore – Verbena 151
Bude – Barrel Rock 168
Boscastle & Crackington – Jan Rogers 173
Tamar & Tavy – Birlanda 197
Barnstaple – Phillipa J 221
Torridge – Rose of Torridge 224
Ilfracombe – Hocks 276
Boscastle & Crackington – Porthkragon 284
Ilfracombe – Larkstone 375
Clovelly – Headon Home 385