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A Berwick foray
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By Lindsay King
Berwick-upon-Tweed Regatta 18 August 2001
Conditions: Windy and wobbly with seaweed at sea
side of medieval bridge.
Course: 1000m from sea side to Border Bridge
Lewis Finally Gets Lucky As Hexham Rowing Club Compete At Berwick Regatta!
Hexham Rowing Club travelled to Berwick ARC’s annual Regatta last Saturday and faced mixed fortunes. ‘Foot and Mouth’ disease still continues to affect the sport in rural areas and Berwick were forced to move their course this year, to protect nearby field areas. The new 950 metre course, required crews to boat at Tweedmouth Green, row under the Royal Tweed and Old Bridges and out to sea, to make the start line. The regatta started at 12 noon and already the waters were looking decidedly choppy out to sea, the tide had rapidly risen and conditions were beginning to look quite difficult.
George Doody and Neil Lewis set off Hexham’s attack, with a race in the Veteran Men’s Double scull. This crew had only come together in recent days and unfortunately they were unable to counter their opposition. George then had a second chance to show Hexham’s worth. Competing in the Novice Veteran Single Sculls, he looked a little nervous, as he can count the number of single scull races he’s done on one hand. Racing in a fine boat, in difficult water conditions is quite an achievement, when you consider that George only started rowing this season. Imagine how impressed the rest of the team were then, to see George come through the Bridge at the half waypoint leading, in his Semi-Final, with a length and a half of clear water. He won the race comfortably and so the team spirit began to pick up.
Next up was Neil Lewis, racing in the other semi-final for this event. Neil is well known, via the Courant for his wacky observations on the rowing of his other crewmates! A modest man, he does not write so much about himself. All that you must know is that Neil has, for sometime, been a man with a mission. He has been determined to lose his Rowing L Plates (Novice Status) for 2 years now. He has travelled the length and breadth of the country looking for regattas, where he might have the opportunity to compete against men his own age, rather than get beaten by 15 year olds. So, off he went in the semi-final and in a lesson of the values of patience and persistence, he finally got lucky!
Racing in a regatta, competitors are required to keep their course; this means that for bridges with multiple arches they will have a stipulated arch that they must cross under. Coming up to the first bridge, Lewis looked to be having a tough race, as he trailed behind his opposition. However, racing is not just about speed and strength. Neil’s opposition was rowing smoothly, so fast in fact that he failed to get through his bridge arch in time, instead getting lodged in the arch that our man was destined to go through. In fact Neil Lewis in a fine display of controlled sculling managed to pass through the bridge whilst his opposition was wedged in the corner. Lewis by overtaking took clear water over his opposition. We waited with baited breath, would Neil be able to hold onto his lead. Alas, Lewis was unable to hang on; the opposition had dislodged himself from the bridge and quickly regained his speed to just finish faster than our man. However, fate struck a blow and Lewis really did get lucky, as his opposition was disqualified for the obstruction caused. There we were, with two Hexham Boats into the Veteran Final, finally we were guaranteed a medal! On with the Final and Neil Lewis won, over George Doody, claiming his first ever victory and in the process losing his Novice status (finally!)
Meanwhile Hexham’s answer to Pinsett and Cracknell, David Brown and Mark Christer were warming up and doing their mental preparation, for two tough races. Pinsett and Cracknell will attempt to win the Coxed and Coxless Pairs at the World Championships, this weekend in Lucerne, Switzerland. In an attempt to emulate their heroes, the Hexham Crew were trying to get there first, with entries in the Senior 3 and 4, Double Sculls. Brown and Christer, having trained all winter, apparently as hard as Pinsett and co, have seen less success than the GB Men in this summer’s season, but they were prepared once again for battle! First up, they faced old rivals Berwick, but unfortunately, as so often this summer, success was just out of reach. Not to worry though, they had their next semi-final to think about and an hour to rest and prepare for it. Alas, the rest never arrived, no sooner had they reached the bank side and stepped out of the boat, their next opposition crew informed them that the race time had been changed and they had 3 minutes to get to the start! After a mad dash, they launched their second attempt, only to be beaten again, by two very talented young rowers from Tees ARC.
Finally it was time for the women to show the men how to do it, but more gracefully! Lucy Siddle and Lindsay King, were lucky to get a by to the final of the Women’s Senior 3 Double Sculls. The final was set for 3.15pm and as time passed Hexham Crews were reporting that the water was decidedly choppy. Christer on returning to dry land had warned the women, that the conditions resembled ‘something off Hawaii 50’!! Hence, Siddle and King, set off, prepared to face some rough water, but not quite expecting what faced them. The water was so choppy that waves were banking over the side of the boat, even when they were stationary at the start. The crew they faced, were a Cambois double who had beaten them previously in the season. Last year, Lindsay, rowing with Alex Berry had faced the same opposition, in better water conditions and just narrowly been beaten. This year, the Hexham crew had learnt of the Cambois double’s medal tally at the National Championships, so they expected formidable competition and they were not to be disappointed. As the Hexham crew doggedly rowed to the start, the Cambois crew chose to gracefully square blade (this is a technical stroke that can be difficult to perform on flat water, and these guys, were pulling it off, out at sea). The Hexham crew by this point, had decided that surviving the race came first, winning they were ashamed to say was relegated to second. Of course with such opposition and the water conditions, the Cambois crew won the race easily. Still, there are lessons to be learnt from every race and this has inspired the Women’s crew to get fitter, stronger and technically better so that they can seek revenge or at least be close enough to see the opposition!
So, Hexham returned home wet, tired, but with a victory for Lewis (and well deserved for all his training efforts). There is now time for the team to prepare for the Head Season, a series of longer endurance events. The Club will take stock of the summer’s events and ‘wash up’ meetings are to be held to set up crews for the next season. About 20 members intend to compete in the coming season, including Veteran women (a welcome addition- because it will be nice to hear about the older lasses, rather than the old boys!) More news soon.
Previously published by Hexham Courant
18 Aug 2001
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