City of Exeter Regatta hosted by Exeter Rowing Club took place this weekend. The Regatta was a fun, free and family-friendly day out that took place in the heart of the city on the beautiful and historic Exeter Quayside.
An annual event, it attracted hundreds of competitors of all ages and abilities that competed in over 140 sprint races along a 400m course. The event attracted many spectators who followed the close racing from the vantage point of the Quay and the cafes, restaurants and bars that line the course.
Races were rowed in a variety of boat classes from the single sculls, all the way up to the large sweep eights. Exeter is one of the regattas that make up the West of England Rowing Championships for coxed fours and single sculls.
Rowing has been a very popular sport since the 19th Century, and Rowing has a long and successful history in Exeter. There was an Isca Boat Club rowing on the Exe and competing in the early 1800s, few details remain of their activities however records from Exeter Rowing Club show that both clubs were racing in 1864. The first meeting of the West of England Amateur Rowing Association was held in 1896 and in 1897 the City of Exeter Regatta became a WEARA event.
A total of 141 races were raced including near to 60 finals for those that won their closely contended heats. Exeter Junior rowers again were a force to be reckoned with winning 11 finals. continued her winning streak winning both the Junior 16 and Junior 18 women’s single scull. Megan Hunter showed potential winning the Junior 13 women’s single scull as well as coxing a senior crew for the first time in competition. Emily Vater won the Junior 15 women’s single scull easily. Also F Bonfield and E O’Brien won the Junior 14 women’s double. The Junior 18 quad of E Drew, M Batchelor G Bonfield and B Spivey also claimed a win over the other crews of Castledore and Dart Totnes.
The junior boys also had a successful day with Edward Fuller winning the Junior 14 men’s single scull and Tom Shipton winning the Junior 13 men’s single scull. Both boys joined forces and also won the Junior 14 doubles race. Shipton along with S Wickham, L Allen and M Hunter also stormed to victory in the Junior 13 Quad. Fuller also with M Johnson, A Scott and N Bonfield also rowed easily to win in the Junior 16 quad.
The seniors also had a successful day. The Masters winning the women’s 4x Allison, Gordon, Silver and Ffrench-Constant beating another Exeter crew of Taylor-Broadhurst, Harper Houghton and Atkinson narrowily to claim medals and also taking the title of Mix Mas 4x.
Other successes included for Exeter Rowing Club were the Womens Nov 2x, Men’s Novice 4x and the Men’s novice 2x.
As it was our home regatta our senior men’s crews provided some close fast racing. P Minchell, J Webber, G Forrest and S Fotheringham claimed the M SA 4+ and with Clifford Eggen Bryon-Edmond and Bates also the M SC 8+.
The days racing ending with a charity 8x race followed by the prize giving and bar b q at the club house. Exeter rowing club would like to thank all its’ sponsors without whom the event could not take place.