Race Report - Aberdyfi Regatta July 20th 2008
We fielded a ladies crew for Aberdyfi and with a start time of 10am we decided we would row over to Aberdyfi rather than trailering the boat around (apart from Gabrielle – she was the sensible one!) So we set off with Simon Tudor coxing and Dave Reynolds rowing with the girls (Sarah, Sarah and Sue). We had left it a bit late and had to put quite a bit of effort in to get there at 10.01 only to find out that there was plenty of time before the coxes briefing.
We discussed tactics before the race started and decided we would have some!! We would go out hard and try to stay with all the other crews as long as we could. We agreed it was better to blow up and stop than to get to the end and have fuel left in the tank. So with this in mind we set off to the line. Sarah T was cold in her vest on the start but she needn’t have worried about that!!
All the crews went out hard knowing that the men’s race had been shortened due to the roughening conditions. We were well up in the field at the first buoy and took a good line to the second. We arrived at the second buoy with two boats outside us overlapping. The outside boat attempted to cut in to the buoy. The second boat shouted ‘water’ and moved into the buoy. Dave kept his cool – well, sort of, and shouted ‘WATER!’ and drove through on the inside. We did have right of way… honest. We left the rest of the field in carnage at the buoy and started the second lap – much to Gabrielle’s dismay as she had given her all not realizing there was a second lap!!
The girls dug in and found deeper reserves than they knew they had. Luckily the second lap was only a short one out to a buoy and back, and we managed to keep it together until the line to finish eighth out of sixteen.
A great race. Good coxing, great effort and determination from the crew resulting in a good finishing position. Sarah T said it was the hardest she had ever worked!!
And then all we had to do was row home against the tide – fantastic coxing from Simon Tudor made it possible.
Well done to everyone concerned.
Ladies crew: Sarah R(stroke), Sarah T, Sue, Gabrielle and Dave R(cox)
Race Report - Aberaeron Regatta June 8th 2008
A beautiful sunny day and Borth fielded just one crew – mixed. So we had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, watch the men’s race and enjoy the sunshine (and 5 bacon butties!) before we had to start getting the boat off the trailer.
We were first to the start line and waited for the rest of the crews to arrive… and waited… and waited. Eventually the flag dropped, gun sounded and we were off. On the first leg we were ahead of one boat and overlapping the Aberaeron mixed vets. We didn’t manage to hold our position to the buoy and rounded it in a rather familiar last place. On the second leg we settled into a good rhythm and started to make up ground on the Aberaeron boat. Rounding the last buoy with a good distance still to row we upped the rate and pressure and pursued Aberaeron. We were closing on them throughout the last leg and they only just managed to hold us off. Their comment after the race was that ‘if there had been another 100 metres you would have had us’ – always supposing our crew could have rowed another 100 metres!
This was a very courageous and determined row, particularly the last leg. All we need to do now is go like that from the start!
Mixed crew: Daver R(stroke), Martyn, Kathy, Rachel and Sarah R(cox).
Race Report - Aberystwyth Regatta May 25th 2008
Borth fielded 2 crews for this regatta and we arrived in Aberystwyth to grey skies and a North Easterly wind. Because of the weather the course was set up to run South from the harbour which unfortunately made it less spectator friendly.
The ladies got off to a great start only to be called back due to another boat jumping the start! Our second start was not quite so good as the cox (me) was taken by surprise when the flag was dropped despite one boat being about 2 lengths over the line. Despite this the ladies started well and were racing crews from Aberaeron and Aberystwyth all the way to the first buoy. My lack of coxing experience showed again at the buoy as I allowed the two boats to take the inside line and get away from us. Despite this the ladies dug deep and rowed well on the second leg and finished strongly to bring up the rear of the field with a very respectable performance.
The weather had worsened by the time the mixed crew boated and the start was difficult as the whole line was being pushed southward. We started down on the rest of the field and fought to keep up with them to the first buoy. We rounded the buoy in last position and despite rowing as hard as we could for the whole of the second leg against wind and waves we were unable to make good headway and fell back from the rest of the field and finished in last position. However, being last into the bar had the unexpected bonus of being the first let into the rather tasty buffet!!
Ladies crew: Jen(stroke), Teresa, Gabrielle, Sarah T and Sarah R(cox)
Mixed crew: Sarah R(stroke), Dave R, Martyn, Sue P and Teresa(cox)
Race Report - Barmouth Regatta August 5th 2007
Borth put out a mixed crew for Barmouth regatta. The weather was sunny and calm and the crew enjoyed ice creams on the front at Barmouth whilst waiting for the race. As the juniors rowed at the same time as the ladies race we had to hurry to boat in time as our race was brought forward. A nice gentle row out to the start helped to settle the nerves but then as usual the adrenalin kicked in on the start line. We got off to a good start and were mid-field as we got into our stride along the first leg heading north parallel to the beach. We were still well amongst the field at the first buoy and turned so tightly we managed to clip another boat (oops!). That shook our rhythm but once we got back in time and moving there were still several boats behind us. We rowed well back along the second leg and were still in contention (not last) when we rounded the final buoy. From then on things did not go so well. We managed to find the stream of the ebbing tide which was creating a standing wave and however much we piled the pressure on we just could not break free of it. We could only watch the other boats catch up and pass us as they took different lines into the harbour. Somehow we did eventually manage to punch through against the tide and made it home in last place totally drained, but still pleased and proud of how we had rowed particularly up to the last buoy. A good effort and an enjoyable day out – topped off by a great buffet.
Mixed crew: Sarah T(stroke), Dave R, Sarah R, Dave McK and Sian(cox)
Race Report - Aberdyfi Regatta July 22nd 2007
Borth fielded 2 crews for the Aberdyfi regatta in somewhat mixed conditions. The ladies race started on a flooding tide with a south westerly light wind making outward rowing tough but easier on the way back in, using the waves to our advantage with a bit of surfing. Once the water flattened back in the estuary the ladies lengthened their stroke and glided past Barmouth's crew though everybody had to work at full throttle to get there. With a 3 mile course they all did really well.
The weather changed in time for the mixed crew race with the wind picking up and a downpour of rain. The course was altered half way through the race due to worsening conditions leaving us slightly disadvantaged as we were in a great position for the original course. However, we managed a top notch turn around the marker buoy gaining advantage over the Barmouth boat just ahead of us. The mixed crew also managed to pass Barmouth once the water flattened and the stroke lengthened. We did really well in both races, turning well and really stretching out on the flatter water, and keeping in there over the choppy lumpy stuff on the way out.
Well done everybody. Looking forward to the next race - Barmouth 5th August.
Ladies crew: Sian(stroke), Teresa, Gabriel, Rachel and Sarah R(cox)
Mixed crew: Sarah T(stroke), Dave R, Sarah R, Dave McK and Sian(cox)
League Racing
In 2007 and 2008 we entered a mixed team and a womens team rowing in the league. There is a northern and southern rowing league in Wales and we attended several of the races from the Northern league, plus some "friendlies". League races are generally on Sunday and with travel time take up the whole day, although the actual race lasts about 40 minutes to an hour. Friendly and non-league races are generally longer and more about endurance.
Return of the Cleddau 2005
Fantastic first race of the season on Saturday April 2. 12 miles downstream (with tide but against a strong SE wind) on Saturday 2 April down the Cleddau to Neyland. Only 25th (out of 25!!) for the Mixed Team, but weren't far behind the others and we did finish alive (just!) Geraint and Lynda were brilliant, and kept smiling despite the shock of a 2.5 hour row at full tilt for their first racing experience, Cathy did the complete motivational work-out on us all the way there, and Martyn (or is it Martyr?) didn't tell us until the end that he had an injured shoulder. We certainly had the right spirit, even if we've work to do on our skills. Good to know that the only way is up. (Teresa Walters, Women's Captain).
Celtic Challenge 2002
Borth completed the course in 2002. The race was cancelled in 2004. It's a 96 mile row from Arklow, Ireland across the Irish sea to Aberystwyth, run annually in the Spring. We need 12 fit rowers (or even couch potatoes keen to transform into fit rowers!) for the team.