The Men’s Newquay County Championships 2025 took place on Sunday 28 September, following the rescheduling of the original date earlier in the month due to stormy weather. Newquay Harbour delivered a spectacular but challenging backdrop, with a rolling sea and definite swell greeting crews early in the day.
The condensed single-day format hosted by Newquay Rowing Club began with 12 heats in Round One, with the first two across the line progressing to the quarter-finals. The winners of each of the quarter finals were Falmouth A, Appledore A, Padstow A, Cadgwith A, Charlestown A and Caradon A, with the tight competition promising great racing in the semi-finals. Despite the conclusion of the quarter finals prior to 2pm, a two hour long break to accommodate low tide meant that crews had a good rest prior to the semi-finals.
Photo credit: Southwest Sky Visions
The semi-finals featured controversy, with both races resulting in appeals on the mark. With half of the contenders eliminated, six boats lined up for the start of the final. Masterful skills from the Race Starter, Tim Poole, created a level start line and equal opportunity for all boats to leap into the lead.
Photo credit: Felix Lane
Sixty strokes into the race and two boats were edging a lead – Charlestown on the inside in Zawn and Falmouth A on the outside in Amazon. By the first mark Falmouth had pulled ahead with clear water ahead of Charlestown, with Caradon in Spy and Cadgwith in Troy following closely behind. Falmouth B were forced to take an outside line in Emma Louise and worked hard to chase the fleet over the middle leg, leaving Coverack to bring up the rear in Grace. With fading light the crews headed back towards the harbour readying themselves for a second lap of the course, as tradition requires. The crowds cheered encouragement as crews turned the harbour flag, with the harbour wall and fly cellars providing the perfect viewing platform.
Photo credit: Felix Lane
With a good lead Falmouth A executed a clinical stroke with precision timing rounding the mark with ease, Charlestown were followed in quick succession by Cadgwith, Caradon and Falmouth B and finally Coverack, providing the spectacle of close racing after an entire lap of the course. Whilst positions remained the same throughout the second leg, Falmouth A continued to leave the rest of the fleet behind, extending their lead even more and emerging victorious. Charlestown A finished strongly to claim second, while Cadgwith A claimed third.
Charlotte Roberts, GigRower Stream Team commentator said, “Throughout the course of the day, the Championship title seemed up for grabs by a number of crews, however after the first leg of the Final it was evident that Falmouth A were in control of the race and certainly after the first lap, untouchable. It was great to see some different clubs taking the silver and bronze places in Charlestown and Cadgwith respectively, a fantastic performance from both those crews.”
The championships highlighted the physical and mental toughness required for racing, especially with a condensed schedule and a two lap final. An exacting and memorable event.
Final Results:
1st – Falmouth A
2nd – Charlestown A
3rd – Cadgwith A
4th – Caradon A
5th – Falmouth B
6th – Coverack A
Full results can be downloaded here.
Photo credit: Southwest Sky Visions
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