The Masters Championships was originally scheduled to be hosted by Paignton Amateur Rowing Club on Sunday 17th August but was rescheduled due to poor weather – a familiar occurrence this season. Development work on Paignton Seafront meant that the rescheduled date of Saturday 18th October also featured a new venue – Goodrington Sands.
After the postponement of the National County Championships (NCC), scheduled for Saturday 4th October, ever-game Paignton ARC agreed to take on the NCC and run it alongside their Masters event. However, consistent easterlies in the build-up to the events, led to the relocation of both the Masters Championships and the NCC to Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth.
When the day finally arrived, the fresh conditions made for a cold day with a brisk wind, confirming that the relocation had been the right call. The Royal Western Yacht Club, supported by Coxside Gig Club, provided an excellent venue and volunteers to manage safety, launching, recovery and pontoon operations. The CPGA team and Gig Rower Stream Team were also on hand to support throughout the day.
Round 1 of the Masters Championships racing began with the Women’s category. In the Women’s Heat crews sought to qualify for the Cup Final by finishing in the top four. Helford in Young Bristol took the first mark ahead of Teign in Pegasus, who found themselves on the outside of Yealm in Helford. By the second mark, Teign had pulled away from Yealm, while Dart caught Yealm on the return leg, ultimately finishing fourth and progressing to the Cup Final. Following behind and moving to the Plate Final were Cotehele Quay in Volante, Boscastle & Crackington in Amazon, Bristol in Zawn and Lyme Regis B in Brydian.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
In Women’s Round 1, Heat 2, last year’s champions Lyme Regis A took an early lead, pushed by Appledore in Top Catch and Paignton in Kensa. A few lengths back, Flushing & Mylor in Templer turned the first mark in fourth place, chasing the last but vital Cup Final spot, followed by Brixham A in Endurance, Bude in Blackbird and Clevedon in Anita Mary. Positions remained unchanged to the finishing line.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
In the Open Round 1, Heat 1, Appledore in Volante leapt into the lead ahead of Torridge in Young Bristol. Teign in Pegasus tussled with Mounts Bay in Zawn for third, securing their spot and pushing Mounts Bay into fourth. All four crews advanced to the Cup Final, while Clevedon in Helford moved into the Plate Final, followed by Weymouth in Brydian and Brixham in Winspit.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
The Open Round 1, Heat 2 featured last year’s champions Caradon in Amazon, who were pursued up the first leg by Helford in Govenek, with Swanage in third. Flushing & Mylor in Peveril, Cotehele Quay in Wasp and Bristol A in Endurance were all in a line battling for fourth. After dropping Cotehele Quay, Bristol A took a line outside line of Flushing & Mylor around both marks, maintaining good speed to secure fourth. Flushing & Mylor in Peveril, Cotehele in Wasp and Bristol B in Kensa followed behind.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
After the Masters crews had taken a well deserved break whilst the National County Championship crews took to the water, seven crews lined up for the Women’s Plate Final, where close racing ensued. Cotehele Quay in Top Catch was sandwiched between Bristol in Govenek and Lyme Regis B in Peveril, with Boscastle moving up the inside in Blackbird, followed by Brixham in Kensa, Clevedon in Anita Mary and Bude in Endurance. By the first mark, Cotehele had settled into the lead, chased by Bristol and Boscastle. Lyme Regis B turned the mark ahead of Brixham but went wide, allowing Brixham to come alongside. Lyme B reclaimed fourth on the final leg, while Bude held off Clevedon. After a determined row, Cotehele Quay in Top Catch celebrated, they were the winners of the Plate Final.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
Eight crews lined up for the Women’s Cup Final with Lyme Regis A in Amazon taking the early lead, followed by Yealm in Lightning, Paignton in Pegasus and Teign in Brydian, then Dart in Winspit, Appledore in Zawn, Flushing & Mylor in Helford and Helford in Len White. As the crews neared the first mark, Lyme maintained their lead, followed by Teign, with Dart securing the inside line and turning cleanly to stay in touch with Lyme. Teign held their speed but dropped to third coming out of the second mark.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
Further back, Appledore turned on the inside of Helford Len White, followed by Paignton, Yealm and Flushing & Mylor. Once clear of the mark, Paignton tried to pass Helford but were covered off. All crews pushed hard against the tide on the home leg. Lyme Regis in Amazon crossed first, winning the Women’s Masters title for the third year in a row with Dart in Winspit second and Appledore in Zawn third. Teign in Brydian finished fourth, followed by Len White. A tight race for sixth and seventh between Paignton in Pegasus and Yealm in Lightning saw Paignton edge ahead, with Flushing & Mylor in Helford finishing eighth.
The Open Plate Final was dominated by Flushing in Govenek which led from the start ahead of Clevedon in Top Catch and Weymouth in Anita Mary. Cotehele Quay in Endurance moved up the inside, with Brixham in Peveril and Bristol B in Kensa following. By the first mark, Govenek had established a four-length lead, with Cotehele challenging Clevedon for second. The two crews matched each other stroke for stroke down the final leg, but Flushing in Govenek held firm to take the win. Cotehele Quay in Endurance finished second, Clevedon in Top Catch third, followed by Weymouth, Brixham and Bristol B.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
Eight crews lined up for the long awaited Open Cup Final. Helford in Zawn nosed ahead of Caradon in Len White and Appledore in Winspit, followed by Swanage in Pegasus and Torridge in Amazon. Behind them came Bristol A in Lightning, Mounts Bay in Young Bristol and Teign A in Helford.
Photo credit: Mark Gilronan
Helford looked to have established a lead but Caradon, rowing with a higher rate and sharp catch, worked steadily up the inside of Helford to secure the lead by the first mark. Helford turned tightly to stay on their stern, with Appledore in Winspit following. Torridge turned alongside Swanage but lost the inside position. Teign surged up through the middle of the field to push for fifth. Down the final leg, Caradon in Len White held their lead over Helford in Zawn to retain the Open Masters title for 2025. Appledore in Winspit finished third, Swanage in Pegasus fourth, Torridge in Amazon fifth, Teign in Helford sixth, Bristol A in Lightning seventh and Mounts Bay in Young Bristol eighth.
This exciting final completed the Masters Championships. On shore, spectators were joined by participants from the National County Championships, adding to the atmosphere throughout the day.
Morwenna Geach, CPGA said, “It was an ambitious schedule to put both events together but it worked well. It was great to see everyone supporting the crews on the water and cheering each other at the presentation. Thanks go to the hard-working volunteers from Royal Western Yacht Club and Coxside Gig Club for hosting the event at their amazing venue.”
Cheers rang out as crews celebrated their wins during the presentation ceremony. Medals were presented by Paignton ARC’s Sarah Tingle, and organisers and competitors alike were relieved and proud to see the championships successfully completed before the season’s end.
Final Results:
Women’s Masters
1st – Lyme Regis A
2nd – Dart
3rd – Appledore
Plate Winners – Cotehele Quay
Open Masters
1st – Caradon
2nd – Helford
3rd – Appledore
Plate Winners – Flushing & Mylor
Full results can be downloaded here.
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