River Teign Rowing Club Seine Boat Race 2 2009

Last Saturday saw the hundreds of members of River Teign Rowing Club gather on

the Back Beach for Race 2 of their nine race seine boat series. Unlike a fortnight ago,

there was no doubt as to whether the race would be at sea or in the river, and the

course for the seniors was set to start from the end of the pier. The hope for all crews

was to be first to three buoys straight out to sea, turning clockwise, and heading back

towards the usual finish by the green buoy on the river.

Sticking to last seasons formula, the men rowed first, as they will do every alternate

race. The fleet were close together as they sprinted through choppy water to the first

of the three markers, with a real tussle developing between SAS in “Mrs B” and the

Coffin Dodgers in “Egret”; and, slightly behind, The Spice Buoys racing “Sarah”,

against Mannor Garage Men in “Merlin”. The front two were neck and neck as they

reached the final buoy, and sped towards the estuary, with a close and exciting

finish, the men sponsored by the Ship Inn and the Standard in Shaldon, just pipping

the Coffin Dodgers. The Spice Buoys gained their best ever result to finish third, and

new crew, The Big Cox, in “Sophie” gained an impressive fifth place.

Although the sea was a little choppy for the men’s race, it became more challenging

for the women. This led them struggling to line up, especially after waiting for a few

minutes once they had gathered at the start to allow a coaster to enter the port. After

the race officials requested them to create the start line again, the rowers were

promptly away. As with the men, the teams were reasonably close together

approaching the first marker, leading the race officials to “call” water advantage for a

number of crews. Abs Fab, rowing “EveC”, had started at the far end of the fleet, and

had taken advantage of a shorter line to the marker, to have a clear lead over G

Foarce in “Merlin”. Up with the frontrunners were the Blister Sisters in “Egret”,

looking to improve on their thirteenth place in race one. By the third buoy, the gap

was narrowing between first and second, and once G Foarce had overtaken Abs

Fab, they began to pull away. By the finish however, it was a close run, but, G

Foarce triumphed for the second successive race. Blister Sisters held on to third

place, with Ruddy Oarsome in “Mr Christian” gaining their best ever result to finish

fourth, as did The Coxes Foxes in “Tony C II” who finished sixth.

Earlier, the juniors raced from past Shaldon Bridge, to the point, round a marker, with

a finish by the green buoy. The demanding race, saw a staggered start, with boys

under 12’s The Crazy Crew rowing “Mavis”, in their first ever race, leave the start just

ahead of the girls under 14 team, Teign Tigoars, in “Sweet Chariot II”. There are

three crews in the same category and therefore those under 14 boys teams started

together. Finally, under 16 girls, Rowdedendrons in “Gehenna” started their race.

Teign Buoys in “Viscount Amery II”, stormed to the front, stretching their lead all the

way to the finish. They were followed by their closest rivals, Teign Tearaways in “The

Hawk”. The Rowdendendrons overcame their handicapped start, to finish 3rd

overall,

with Teign Rockaors, in “Tony C II” close behind in fourth.

Excellent post race hospitality was provided courtesy of The Ness in Shaldon. The

next race is on Saturday May 23rd

, and if you are new to rowing or want to give it a

try, come to our novice nights on Wednesdays - juniors from 6pm ( 50p), adults from

7pm (£2).

For information about all River Teign Rowing Club activities, see our website –

www.teignrowers.co.uk