BRIDGNORTH Rowing Club’s annual regatta was a big hit on Saturday with 150 races spread over eight and a half hours.
Delighted organisers are now looking forward to a second event – a fun regatta to be held in September.
“We were very pleased with the way Saturday’s event event ran and it is is getting smoother every year,” said regatta committee member Matt Pilsbury.
“This is down to the dedication of club members, who were particularly well organised, and many of whom were busy preparing from before six am on the day.
“Much of the smoothness of the event is due to a brand new computer systemwe ran on the day, myregatta.co.uk, which was developed by a club member. This allowed millisecond timing of races and for competitors to see results on their phones as crews passed the finish line.
We’d also like to thank all members and friends of the club for helping make the day a success,” he said.
The event’s main sponsor was Kestrel Bridgnorth Ltd and all races were over a 500m course. One of the best Bridgnorth performance of the day came from Joe Bytheway, in the J15 level single sculls.
The men’s novice eight of Matt Pilsbury, John Allen, Rich Pilsbury, Martin Brown, Ian Dick, Joe Bytheway, Rob Sharratt and Andy Pilsbury with Emma Walker cox proved strong opposition for the Bewdley crew in the last race of the day.
Although they were racing together for the first time, they were almost half a boat length up midway through the race before Bewdley took the lead and went onto win.
Other Bridgnorth competitors included brothers Martin and Pat Brown, Charlotte Jukes, Richard Mottram and a women’s novice four stroked by Lucy Wycherley.
Paul Wallis and Richard Holt competed against Stourport in the masters C doubles with each team winning race, but Stourport coming out on top with the faster time. Trentham Boat Club won the most events on the day, walking away with a staggering 15 event wins.
A large number of visitors and competitors enjoyed a barbecue and a cake stall where everything was sold.
The fun regatta will be open to complete beginners, such as groups of friends, companies, clubs and pubs who want to put in their own team.
All crews will get trained up over the summer, ready to race and entries can be made by phoning the club on (01746) 762668 or through visiting the website funregatta@bridgnorthrc.co.uk
PICTURED: Charlotte Jukes in action for Bridgnorth during Saturday’s regatta.