Mark Blanchard of Swanage Sea Rowing Club shares his account of the first Jurassic League regatta of the season on June 8th, which welcomed a dozen clubs.
The first Jurassic League fixture of 2024 coincided with the town’s poignant D-Day celebrations. Rowing halted at 11am for those who wished to raise oars by paying their respects and observing two minutes of silence.
The first race off the line was the Mixed Masters, with Langstone taking the victory in Heart of Hayling. This was then followed by the Junior race around a slightly shortened, but just as challenging 3 buoy turn course with the Under 16’s from Weymouth in Penny proudly to taking first place.
In a bid to support and grow participation of younger rowers in the sport the next race was a first in the club’s history – an Under 25’s Mixed Barbarians race. This was held over a shorter straight line sprint course. Two crews took part, both racing the course at 40 strokes per minute, with the host’s gig Peveril narrowly beating Bridport’s Beacon. The race attracted a large crowd – cheering could be heard from the Breakwater before the gigs even left the start line!
Women’s and Men’s crews then took to the water with Poole cashing in on a hard winter’s training. At the end of the day they were homeward bound after securing first place on the League Table and with a total of 7 trophies weighing down the boots of their cars!
Hosts Swanage took victory in the Men’s B race, achieved second place in both the Women’s A, Women’s C and Men’s Super Vets along with other top half results in the remainder of the races, putting them currently 3rd in the Jurassic League.
Dorset’s most westerly club, Lyme Regis, raced in their new gig Ammonite and secured first places in the Mens A and Men’s C races with neighbours Portland in hot pursuit.
Exmouth in their very recognisable (and extremely photogenic) gig Shelly Maid placed 3rd in both the Men’s Vets and Men’s B.
After last year’s near write off of south coast regattas due to the weather it was fantastic to see so much colour in the bay – the next Jurassic League regatta is on 29th June hosted by Bridport Gig Rowing Club.
Report by Mark Blanchard
Photo credit: Swanage Sea Rowing Club
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