On the 13th of October, crews from Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, gathered in Plymouth, ready to compete for the title of National County Champions across various age categories. The Adult county squads had been poised to compete at Swanage in Dorset during the previous weekend but the event was rescheduled due to poor weather conditions. Unfortunately, some counties were unable to attend the rescheduled event and the Championships proceeded without Bristol, Essex, Sussex and the combined county side incorporating Hampshire and London.
Thanks to the incredible staff at Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre and support from the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership the event proceeded with a revised race schedule. Despite the reduced numbers, the atmosphere remained vibrant, with both adults and juniors sharing in the excitement of race day.
Unlike typical regattas, rowers in this event represent their county rather than their club, often rowing in crews with rivals that they would ordinarily compete against. Participants are selected from a large pool of rowers across multiple clubs. This makes it an incredible achievement, requiring dedication and careful planning from county selectors and administrators, whose efforts are essential in making the event happen.
Photo credit: Laura Lane
In recent years, Cornish teams have largely dominated the competition. Last year, Devon’s U25 Men were the only crew to beat Cornwall. But as competition has grown and talent developed among other counties, Cornwall felt the pressure in the lead-up to this year’s races.
The day was further enhanced by sponsorship from Plymouth City Bus and Go Cornwall Bus, who provided an open-top bus for spectators—a perfect viewing platform for the races and a welcome shelter from the autumn chill. Meanwhile, Mount Batten’s facilities offered rowers a resting spot between racing, comforting hot food, and a big screen for everyone to enjoy the live coverage.
The event featured a triangle course that began near the Mount Batten Breakwater, leading rowers up the river towards Laira Bridge before making the return journey back to Mount Batten on the final leg.
Cornwall secured an impressive 17 out of 18 wins, with the Isles of Scilly taking home the only other first-place medal. This impressive victory came in the U18 Open race, where the Isles of Scilly crew, inspired by the standout performance of the U16 St Marys crew at the Junior International Championships, challenged Cornwall’s early lead. Cornwall dominated from the start, claiming the priority on the first and second marks and forcing Isles of Scilly to take wider turns. But on the final leg, Isles of Scilly surged forward, closing the boat-length gap, and, stroke for stroke with Cornwall, they edged out their competition at the finish line.
The day wrapped up with a series of mixed-age races, featuring unique crews with rowers from at least five different age categories. These races quickly became firm favorites, offering incredibly close and exciting finishes.
CPGA Trustee, Adam Anderson, had the honor of presenting medals to the day’s champions. First, second, and third-place winners received beautifully crafted slate medals against the unique backdrop of the iconic blue bus, bringing an unforgettable close to a spectacular day of racing.
National County Championships Results 2024.
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